Packaging Subject Matter Expert & Inventory Manager

Roquette; Keokuk (IA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Roquette in Keokuk, IA is seeking a Packaging Subject Matter Expert & Inventory Manager to lead packaging material specifications, supplier audits, and cross-functional packaging projects. You will oversee approximately $3.5 million in packaging inventory and more than $8 million in annual expenditures, while forecasting demand and coordinating with Sales, Purchasing and QA teams.

The role requires a strong background in packaging materials, supplier management, and SAP inventory systems, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Management, or a related field.
• MBA preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of logistics, distribution, supply chain, inventory management, or packaging-related experience.
• Experience with packaging materials, specifications, and packaging supply chains preferred.
• Experience managing supplier relationships, procurement activities, and inventory forecasting.
• Experience conducting Root Cause Analysis and complaint investigations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the site SME for all packaging materials and packaging requirements used in RAI products.
• Lead and support packaging complaint investigations and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) activities for internal and external customer issues.
• Maintain packaging specifications, databases, drawings, and technical documentation.
• Support supplier audits and collaborate with Supplier Quality Assurance as the packaging SME.
• Partner with Sales, Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Customer Care teams on packaging-related projects and customer requirements.
• Source new suppliers and packaging solutions while providing technical expertise during supplier evaluations and negotiations.
• Forecast packaging demand, monitor stock levels, and communicate inventory requirements to suppliers.
• Create purchase requisitions, manage blanket releases, and oversee annual packaging expenditures exceeding $8 million.
• Perform SAP inventory management activities, including inventory balancing, reporting, cost analysis, and purchasing support.
• Conduct physical inventory audits and develop strategies to reduce excess and slow-moving inventory.
• Create and maintain packaging labels using Easylabel.
• Provide inventory reporting, consumption forecasts, and cross-functional communication to support operational needs.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Project management

Communication

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Management, or related field

MBA preferred

Tools

SAP

Easylabel

Excel

Job description

Roquette is a family-owned global leader in plant-based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients. Want to help us make a difference? Using plant-based resources, we collaborate with our customers and partners to imagine and offer ingredients to better feed people and treat patients. Each of our ingredients responds to unique and essential needs, and they enable healthier lifestyles. We are looking for our next Packaging Subject Matter Expert & Inventory Manager within our Supply Chain Team. The Packaging Subject Matter Expert & Inventory Manager serves as the site expert for packaging materials used in RAI products while overseeing packaging inventory management, supplier relationships, forecasting, procurement, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role combines technical packaging expertise, complaint investigation, and cross-functional collaboration with responsibility for managing approximately $3.5 million in packaging inventory and more than $8 million in annual packaging expenditures. This position is located in Keokuk, IA.

Compensation:

The current salary range for this role is estimated to be $68,483- $90,000. In addition, this position may also be eligible to earn performance-based incentive compensation. The specific compensation offered to a candidate will be influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

What You'll Do:

• Serve as the site Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all packaging materials and packaging requirements used in RAI products.
• Lead and support packaging complaint investigations and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) activities for internal and external customer issues.
• Maintain packaging specifications, databases, drawings, and technical documentation.
• Support supplier audits and collaborate with Supplier Quality Assurance as the packaging SME.
• Partner with Sales, Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Customer Care teams on packaging-related projects and customer requirements.
• Source new suppliers and packaging solutions while providing technical expertise during supplier evaluations and negotiations.
• Support global packaging initiatives and ensure compliance with company packaging standards.
• Manage approximately $3.5 million in packaging inventory, including inventory held at third-party logistics providers.
• Forecast packaging demand, monitor stock levels, and communicate inventory requirements to suppliers.
• Create purchase requisitions, manage blanket releases, and oversee annual packaging expenditures exceeding $8 million.
• Perform SAP inventory management activities, including inventory balancing, reporting, cost analysis, and purchasing support.
• Conduct physical inventory audits and develop strategies to reduce excess and slow-moving inventory.
• Create and maintain packaging labels using Easylabel.
• Provide inventory reporting, consumption forecasts, and cross-functional communication to support operational needs.

What You'll Need:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Management, or a related field. MBA preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of logistics, distribution, supply chain, inventory management, or packaging-related experience. Experience with packaging materials, specifications, and packaging supply chains preferred. Experience managing supplier relationships, procurement activities, and inventory forecasting. Experience conducting Root Cause Analysis and complaint investigations preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills. Knowledge of packaging materials, specifications, and industry best practices. Knowledge of purchasing, procurement, inventory management, and supply chain operations. Experience using SAP and inventory management systems. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel. Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously. High level of organization, accuracy, and attention to detail. Knowledge of Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations preferred. Experience with Easylabel and database management preferred.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and flexible hours of work are required to meet facility demands.

Business Travel

Domestic and international travel required for supplier visits, audits, vendor meetings, and packaging-related projects. Estimated travel up to 10%.

Work Environment

Approximately 95% office environment and 5% plant, warehouse, supplier, or field environment.

AAP/EEO Statement

Roquette is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. “AAP, EEO, Drug-Free Workplace”.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Roquette is proud to be a global company where you can find personal and professional growth through multiple diverse experiences. Roquette strives to create a dynamic workforce while remaining firmly committed to equal opportunity by complying with EEO laws. As we continue to grow, Roquette understands that to be successful we must always be inclusive in our approach. To find out more about our products, values and sustainable development ambitions visit us at www.roquette.com and at www.sustainability.roquette.com Roquette is a global leader in sustainable plant-based solutions, driving innovation and strong partnerships that are shaping the future of nutrition, health, and bioindustry. The company harnesses natural resources such as wheat, corn, seaweed, and cellulose to craft high-performance ingredients used in everyday foods, oral medications, advanced biopharmaceuticals, and a range of bio-based products. A family-owned company with over 90 years of expertise and 11,000 employees, Roquette serves clients in over 150 countries and is committed to creating lasting value for customers, patients, consumers, and society. Together, we turn the potential of nature into the essentials of life. Discover more about Roquette here.