Strategic Category Manager, Packaging & Ingredients

Westrock Coffee Company; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 77,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Westrock Coffee Company in Little Rock, Arkansas, is seeking a Dynamic, self-motivated leader to serve as Procurement Category Manager overseeing packaging sourcing and supplier relationships. This role focuses on developing multi-year procurement plans, cost analysis, and strategic vendor management.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in category management or procurement within food/beverage manufacturing, with a Bachelor’s degree and relevant certifications.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Category Management/Procurement or Supply Chain Management
• Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, or Business
• Licensing or Certifications for Procurement Category Manager: CPSM, CPM, PMP, MCIPS, CPIM, APICS, C.P.M, DOT, ISM, CIRM
• Experience in packaging, preferably in a food and/or beverage manufacturing environment
• Experience managing external vendors, contracts, risk management, forecasting, developing category strategies, and manufacturing relationships
• Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, NetSuite or ERP)
• Ability to work in a fast paced high pressure environment with internal and external customers
• Financial understanding of P&L and ability to drive bottom line profit

Responsibilities

• Develop sourcing Category Management plans (Aluminum Cans and/or Glass Bottles packaging) to drive multi-year procurement plans
• Source and assess potential trustworthy partners
• Develop a system to evaluate partners for quality, price, delivery, and service
• Create multi-step sourcing processes that drive Best Value relationships with vendors
• Work with packaging vendors to minimize waste and introduce lower cost options
• Collaborate with product development on future packaging and innovations
• Execute contracts, RFI/RFPs, proposals and vendor agreements
• Interface with Global Sourcing QA to meet specifications and standards
• Support commercialization of NPD projects with sales team
• Liaise between Procurement and Manufacturing for effective communication

Skills

Category Management

Procurement

Supply Chain Management

Vendor Management

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree (Procurement / Supply Chain / Engineering / Business)

Higher degree a plus

Tools

NetSuite

ERP systems

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Westrock Coffee Company in Little Rock, Arkansas, is seeking a Dynamic, self-motivated leader to serve as Procurement Category Manager overseeing packaging sourcing and supplier relationships. This role focuses on developing multi-year procurement plans, cost analysis, and strategic vendor management.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in category management or procurement within food/beverage manufacturing, with a Bachelor’s degree and relevant certifications.