Senior Project Manager

International Paper; Carol Stream (IL); On-site; USD 76,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Student loan repayment assistance

Job summary

International Paper in Carol Stream, IL seeks a Senior Project Manager to directly manage complex customer projects. You will coordinate materials, BOMs, orders, and schedules, while collaborating with Sales, Design, Manufacturing, and Logistics to meet timelines and customer needs.

Ideal candidates have 6+ years in customer service or order management, with ERP/SAP experience and strong Excel skills. This salaried role offers pathway to leadership and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or BA/BS preferred; commensurate work experience in customer service, inside sales, project management, or other order management roles.
• Six+ years’ work experience in customer service, B2B inside sales, order management, purchasing, or manufacturing planning.
• Strong corrugated and printing industry knowledge; understanding of equipment capabilities and order flow through the facility.
• High level of organizational and communication skills, including negotiation, innovation, and delegation.
• Excellent data entry accuracy with Excel, Word and PowerPoint; SAP a plus.

Responsibilities

• Directly manages complex customer projects and serves as primary contact for decision-makers.
• Creates order specs, material plans, BOMs, sales orders, invoices, and documents.
• Coordinates production requirements, inventory, inbound flow, shipping and timelines.
• Leads pre-production meetings and secures necessary approvals.
• Collaborates with vendors, suppliers and contractors for materials and schedules.
• Defines project scope with Sales, Design, Manufacturing, Logistics and others.
• Resolves customer concerns, manages reconciliations, and performs estimating.
• Negotiates pricing and terms; develops quotations using cost analysis and profitability tools.
• Validates contracts and purchase orders for accuracy and compliance.
• Applies project management principles to execute projects and drive improvements.
• Assists in cost analyses and post-project review analyses.

Skills

Project management experience

Customer service background

Inside sales exposure

Order management familiarity

Purchasing knowledge

Manufacturing planning experience

Education

Associate’s or BA/BS preferred

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

SAP

Job description

Position Title

Senior Project Manager

Pay Range

$75,800 - $101,000

PL10 (USCORE)

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range. Variable pay may provide additional opportunities for financial awards. This job is eligible to participate in IP's annual incentive plan.

Category / Shift

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location

Carol Stream, IL / Aurora Commitment Center

The Senior Project Manager position independently manages the customer order process for a larger, more complex account base and initiates or responds to inquiries regarding those accounts and their associated products or services.Works with sales to prioritize sales leads and organize projects and design requests.Has discretion to modify or implement alternatives within established processes to meet the needs of customers during the completion of the order.Fully accountable for material planning, inventory tracking, sales order entry, miscellaneous invoicing, and records management.

The Job You Will Perform

• Directly manages complex customer projects and serves as a primary point of contact for customer decision-makers to develop solutions, resolve issues, and support account management in partnership with Sales.
• Creates order specifications, material plans, bills of materials, sales orders, invoices, and maintains accurate project documentation.
• Coordinates customer production requirements, inventory management, inbound product flow, shipping, and order execution timelines. Leads pre-production meetings and ensures all necessary approvals are obtained.
• Collaborates with vendors, suppliers, and contractors to secure materials and coordinate production, shipping, receiving, and delivery schedules.
• Partners with Sales, Design, Manufacturing, Logistics, and other stakeholders to define project scope, resolve issues, and recommend order modifications.
• Resolves customer concerns and complaints, manages account reconciliations, and performs estimating functions, including outsourced materials and freight quotations.
• Negotiates pricing, delivery terms, existing business opportunities, and RFQ activities for new business. Develops quotations and pricing recommendations using purchasing history, cost analysis, and profitability tools.
• Validates sales contracts and purchase orders, ensuring agreements are accurate and properly managed.
• Applies advanced project management principles and established systems to successfully execute projects and drive process improvements.
• Exercises a high level of decision-making authority to resolve issues and improve operational processes.
• Participates in post-project cost analysis reviews and implements identified improvement opportunities.
• May lead or participate in First Article Checks and Press Checks to verify products meet specifications.
• May provide coordination and guidance to Project Managers and other team members.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment requiring strong collaboration, communication, organization, attention to detail, accuracy, prioritization, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Works independently while effectively influencing and directing cross-functional teams to achieve project goals.
• Operates effectively within established systems, processes, and procedures.

The Skills You Will Bring

• Associate’s or BA/BS preferred; commensurate work experience in customer service, inside sales, project management, or other order management roles.
• Six+ years’ work experience in customer service, business-to-business inside sales, order management, purchasing, or manufacturing planning.
• Strong corrugated and printing industry knowledge; well-developed understanding of equipment capabilities and how orders can most effectively flow through the facility. Broad knowledge of company procedures, products, and services.
• This position requires a high level of organizational and communication skills, including exemplary interpersonal savvy, negotiation, innovation, and command skills.
• Must demonstrate the ability to effectively delegate and lead others.
• Accuracy, thoroughness, attention to detail, timeliness/responsive, reliability, patience, listening skills, and creative problem solving are crucial.
• Must possess a disposition that thrives on a deep understanding of the details and ensures their execution.
• Must demonstrate a proven track record of accurate data entry; well-developed skills in Excel, Word and PowerPoint; SAP a plus; uses industry- and customer-specific computer systems.

The Benefits You Will Enjoy

International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets

The Career You Will Build

Leadership training, promotional opportunities

The Impact You Will Make

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you'll see why our team members say they're Proud to be IP.

The Culture You Will Experience

International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join

International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) creates sustainable packaging solutions that enable our customers, teammates and shareowners to thrive in an ever-changing world. We are a leader in corrugated packaging, partnering with customers across industries to protect what matters most, strengthen supply chains and create lasting value. Learn more at internationalpaper.com.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail] or [phone].