Procurement Specialist

Smurfit Westrock

Hopewell (VA)

On-site

USD 69,000 - 115,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Bonus incentive

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

FSA/HSA

Retirement plan

Life & disability

Paid sick leave

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Procurement Specialist to optimize cost, drive sourcing strategies, and ensure supply continuity across chemicals, MRO and services.

You will leverage Ariba, ERP systems and Power BI to analyze data, run RFPs, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships while balancing cost with inventory efficiency.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree preferred and 2–5 years in procurement or supply chain.
Proven ability to drive cost savings and negotiate effectively.
Strong understanding of inventory management and supply chain principles.
Analytical mindset with ability to interpret data and inform decisions.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and execute independently.
Experience with sourcing tools (e.g., Ariba) and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

Support mill priorities for safety, environment, quality and operational excellence.
Lead procurement for assigned categories (chemicals, MRO, parts, services).
Drive cost savings through sourcing, negotiations and supplier optimization.
Execute RFPs, analyze bids, and award based on best value.
Optimize inventory with VMI, consignment and demand planning strategies.
Reduce excess and obsolete inventory while ensuring supply continuity.
Manage supplier relationships, contracts and performance.
Resolve supplier issues and mitigate supply risks, including alternate sourcing.
Process requisitions, purchase orders and change orders.
Use data analytics to identify savings opportunities and improve procurement performance.
Lead continuous improvement across cost, process and supply chain efficiency.

Skills

Cost savings

Supplier negotiations

Inventory management

Analytical skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Project management

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Ariba

ERP systems

MS Office

Power BI

Job description

Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Procurement Specialist

Are you ready to take your procurement skills to the next level? As a Procurement Specialist in the dynamic world of the paper industry, you will be at the heart of operations—driving cost savings, optimizing inventory levels, and improving working capital performance.

In this role, you will leverage technology and data analytics to manage procurement activities, develop sourcing strategies, execute RFPs in Ariba, negotiate supplier agreements, and convert requisitions into purchase orders efficiently and effectively. Your work will directly contribute to operational excellence, cost competitiveness, and supply continuity.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

Support mill priorities for Safety, Environment, Quality, and Operational Excellence
Lead procurement for assigned categories (chemicals, MRO, parts, services)
Drive cost savings through sourcing, negotiations, and supplier optimization
Execute RFPs, analyze bids, and award business based on best value
Optimize inventory levels using VMI, consignment, and demand planning strategies
Reduce excess and obsolete inventory while ensuring supply continuity
Manage supplier relationships, contracts, and performance
Resolve supplier issues and mitigate supply risks, including alternate sourcing
Process and manage requisitions, purchase orders, and change orders
Use data analytics to identify savings opportunities and improve procurement performance
Lead continuous improvement initiatives across cost, process, and supply chain efficiency

Career Opportunity

The Procurement Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring supply continuity while balancing cost efficiency and inventory optimization. This role partners closely with mill personnel, suppliers, and corporate procurement teams to deliver both operational reliability and financial performance improvements.

The Procurement Specialist submits requests for quotes, reviews & evaluates bids, schedules meetings with prospective bidders & negotiations, processes and monitors blanket service purchase orders/purchase orders. Orders are awarded based on either corporate procurement contracts/agreements or mill purchasing agreements. Work within mill and corporate directives and follow guidelines in the management services above. Performs functions needed for dispute resolution/problem solving. Pre-qualifies “new” contractors with WestRock requirements for on-site support establishing agreements.

How You Will Impact WestRock

Monitor and work with operations to ensure chemical inventories and purchase orders support production needs
Work with primary and alternate suppliers to ensure delivery, expedite and solve supply chain challenges
Lead Request For Proposals (RFP) and review of competitive proposals from suppliers for award decisions
Read, analyze and uphold supplier contracts – including payment terms, warranty, freight terms and other terms as needed.
Manage MRO vendors to include our Vendor Managed Inventory, Consignment Programs and onsite vending services
Point of contact for escalation and primary negotiator to resolve mill issues with service providers
Lead continuous improvement to drive meaningful changes in process, supplier or material to deliver value beyond price
Process purchase requisitions, purchase orders and change orders to secure products and/or services as required. Evaluate, and implement orders where needed.
Coordinate and consult with internal and external customers regarding purchase requirements following corporate procurement guidelines.
Compiles data for mill and corporate reports as requested.

What You Need To Succeed

Bachelor’s Degree preferred; 2–5 years of procurement or supply chain experience
Proven ability to drive cost savings and manage supplier negotiations
Strong understanding of inventory management and supply chain principles
Excellent analytical skills with ability to interpret data and make decisions
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and execute independently
Experience with sourcing tools (e.g., Ariba) and ERP systems
Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) and data tools (Power BI); familiarity with AI tools is a plus
Strong project management and execution capabilities

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

The salary range for this position is $69,000.00 - $115,000.00, depending on your role, level, and location. The range listed is also the expected pay for roles in Illinois and Colorado.

Your pay will be based on factors such as your skills, experience, and education.