Packaging Sourcing Architect — Cost, Quality & On-Time

Lucas James Talent Partners; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Lucas James Talent Partners is seeking a Sourcing Specialist – Packaging to source, purchase, and manage packaging materials for manufacturing operations. You will partner with Procurement, Planning, Production, Quality, R&D, Customer Service and suppliers to ensure packaging is on time, high quality, and cost-effective.

The role focuses on supplier development, pricing negotiations, inventory management, and supporting new product launches and packaging changes, with an onsite base at our

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, procurement, or supply chain.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Operations or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience sourcing packaging materials, preferably in food or consumer products manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation and supplier-management skills.
• Experience working with ERP systems; Plex experience is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers, projects, and priorities.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Source packaging materials including cartons, corrugated cases, bags, films, labels, liners, totes, pallets, and other packaging components.
• Develop and maintain qualified packaging suppliers.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations and negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, MOQs, and payment terms.
• Identify opportunities to reduce packaging cost through competitive sourcing, specification changes, volume leverage, and supplier negotiations.
• Maintain accurate pricing and supplier information within the ERP system.
• Monitor market conditions and identify packaging cost trends and risks.
• Ensure packaging materials are available to support the production schedule.
• Work closely with Planning and Production Scheduling to identify upcoming packaging requirements.
• Monitor supplier lead times, minimum order quantities, and inventory levels.
• Support appropriate Min/Max, safety stock, and reorder-point levels.
• Identify and resolve potential shortages before they impact production.
• Coordinate expedited orders when necessary while minimizing premium freight costs.
• Help manage obsolete and excess packaging inventory.
• Establish strong relationships with key packaging suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance for on-time delivery, quality, pricing, responsiveness, and lead-time adherence.
• Participate in supplier scorecards and business reviews.
• Work with Quality to address packaging defects and corrective actions.
• Develop alternate suppliers for critical or high-risk packaging materials.
• Support R&D and Commercial teams with packaging sourcing for new products.
• Obtain quotes and lead times for new packaging components.
• Coordinate packaging samples and trials with suppliers.
• Support development of packaging specifications, artwork, and revisions.
• Ensure packaging changes are communicated to Planning, Production, Quality, and suppliers.
• Support BOM development and packaging component setup in the ERP system.
• Develop and execute annual packaging cost-reduction initiatives.
• Conduct competitive bidding and supplier comparisons.
• Identify opportunities for volume consolidation, specification optimization, alternate materials, alternate suppliers, freight optimization, and longer-term supply agreements.
• Track and report purchasing savings and cost avoidance.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Excel

Analytical ability

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain / Procurement / Business

Tools

Plex

Job description

Lucas James Talent Partners is seeking a Sourcing Specialist – Packaging to source, purchase, and manage packaging materials for manufacturing operations. You will partner with Procurement, Planning, Production, Quality, R&D, Customer Service and suppliers to ensure packaging is on time, high quality, and cost-effective.

The role focuses on supplier development, pricing negotiations, inventory management, and supporting new product launches and packaging changes, with an onsite base at our