Specialist, Procurement

WestRock Company; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Jacksonville, FL is seeking a Procurement Specialist to ensure supply continuity while balancing cost efficiency and inventory optimization. You will leverage Ariba to execute RFPs, negotiate supplier agreements, and convert requisitions into purchase orders, partnering with mill teams and corporate procurement to drive operational excellence.

You will influence cost management and supplier performance while supporting safety, quality, and environmental priorities.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of procurement or supply chain experience or bachelor’s degree preferred, not required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and execute independently.
• Strong negotiation skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in MS Office including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• JD Edwards proficiency preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support mill priorities for Safety, Environment, Quality, and Operational Excellence.
• Lead procurement for assigned categories (chemicals, MRO, parts, services, VMI).
• Manage supplier relationships, contracts, and performance.
• Drive cost savings through sourcing, negotiations, and supplier optimization.
• Execute RFPs, analyze bids, and award business based on best value.
• Resolve supplier issues and mitigate supply risks, including alternate sourcing.
• Process and manage requisitions, purchase orders, and change orders.
• Contract implementation with complex agreements in partnership with legal and compliance.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Project management

Teamwork

MS Office

Ariba

JD Edwards

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Ariba

Job description

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. 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, vendor managed inventory).
• Manage supplier relationships, contracts, and performance.
• Drive cost savings through sourcing, negotiations, and supplier optimization.
• Execute RFPs, analyze bids, and award business based on best value.
• Resolve supplier issues and mitigate supply risks, including alternate sourcing.
• Process and manage requisitions, purchase orders, and change orders.
• Contract implementation - including developing and leading negotiations of complex agreements in partnership with legal, compliance, risk, supply chain, and all other stakeholders.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock

• 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.
• Compiles data for mill and corporate reports as requested.

What you need to Succeed

• 2-5 years of procurement or supply chain experience or bachelor’s degree preferred, not required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and execute independently.
• Must be able to manage a project timeline & have capability to own and drive execution for projects in which other people contribute.
• Strong negotiation skills and attention to detail. Proficiency in computer skills including MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word.
• Proficiency in JD Edwards preferred.