Strategic Sourcing & Packaging Category Specialist

LHH; Pingree Grove (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Two weeks vacation

Paid sick leave where applicable by州

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K

Life Insurance

Job summary

LHH Recruitment Solutions collaborates with a growing organization to fill a Strategic Sourcing & Packaging Category Specialist role in the Distribution Industry. The position emphasizes developing sourcing strategies, negotiating with suppliers, and managing packaging categories within a dynamic supply chain.

The successful candidate will be analytical, commercially minded, proactive, and capable of working independently in a fast-paced environment, partnering with cross-functional teams to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in supply chain management, business, finance, operations, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in sourcing, procurement, category management, purchasing, or related function.
• Direct experience sourcing packaging materials or managing packaging categories.
• Demonstrated supplier-management experience including negotiations and relationships.
• Experience supporting strategic sourcing initiatives and evaluating supplier proposals.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Proficiency with Excel including PivotTables and VLOOKUP.
• Ability to interpret spend data and translate findings into sourcing recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned packaging categories.
• Manage sourcing and category management projects from market research through supplier selection and implementation.
• Lead supplier negotiations on pricing, terms, service expectations, lead times, and other terms.
• Prepare RFI/RFQ/RFP processes.
• Establish productive supplier relationships while ensuring cost, quality, service, and reliability.
• Identify and qualify potential suppliers in packaging marketplace.
• Support supplier development and performance-management initiatives.
• Analyze purchasing activity, spend data, category trends, and supplier information.
• Identify cost-reduction and value-improvement opportunities.
• Develop recommendations using quantitative analysis and market intelligence.
• Monitor category performance and support procurement reporting and KPIs.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier data.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier negotiations

Spend analysis

Packaging category management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Independent work

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in supply chain management or related

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PivotTables

VLOOKUP

Job description

LHH Recruitment Solutions has partnered with a growing organization, and they are seeking a motivated Strategic Sourcing & Packaging Category Specialist – Distribution Industry to join their team. This opportunity is ideal for a procurement professional who enjoys developing sourcing strategies, negotiating with suppliers, analyzing spend, and taking meaningful ownership of packaging categories. The selected candidate will serve as a key resource within the supply chain and procurement function, managing supplier relationships and supporting initiatives that improve cost, quality, service, availability, and overall supply chain performance. This is an individual contributor position offering the opportunity to independently manage strategic sourcing projects, influence procurement decisions, and work closely with cross‑functional business partners. The organization is seeking someone who is analytical, commercially minded, proactive, and comfortable operating in a fast‑paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned packaging categories.
• Manage procurement and category management projects from initial market research through supplier selection and implementation.
• Lead supplier negotiations involving pricing, terms, service expectations, lead times, and other commercial considerations.
• Prepare and manage requests for information, requests for quotation, and requests for proposal.
• Establish productive supplier relationships while maintaining accountability for cost, quality, service, delivery, and reliability.
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify potential suppliers within the packaging marketplace.
• Support supplier development and performance‑management initiatives.
• Analyze purchasing activity, spend data, commodity indicators, category trends, and supplier information.
• Identify cost‑reduction, value‑improvement, and supply‑continuity opportunities.
• Develop recommendations using quantitative analysis and relevant market intelligence.
• Monitor category performance and support procurement reporting and key performance indicators.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier information, including costs, supplier assignments, order requirements, and related item data.
• Identify opportunities to improve sourcing processes, reporting practices, and procurement efficiency.
• Partner with inventory, operations, logistics, transportation, and other internal teams to support organizational objectives.
• Manage multiple sourcing initiatives and priorities while meeting project timelines and business expectations.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in supply chain management, business, finance, operations, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of three years of experience in sourcing, procurement, category management, purchasing, or a related supply chain function.
• Direct experience sourcing packaging materials or managing packaging‑related categories.
• Demonstrated supplier‑management experience, including commercial negotiations and relationship development.
• Experience supporting strategic sourcing initiatives and evaluating supplier proposals.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making capabilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including PivotTables and VLOOKUP.
• Ability to interpret spend data and translate findings into practical sourcing recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and collaborate across departments.
• Sound understanding of procurement and supply chain fundamentals.
• Experience sourcing corrugated products, shipping materials, industrial packaging, protective packaging, or related product categories.
• Familiarity with category management, procurement analytics, supplier scorecards, or cost‑savings programs.
• Experience participating in supplier‑selection, supplier‑development, or cross‑functional sourcing projects.
• Knowledge of inventory management, distribution, logistics, or transportation operations.

Compensation Range: $75,000 - $90,000 + 7% Bonus

Benefits Offered: 2 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave where applicable by state law, Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance Vision Insurance, 401K, and Life Insurance.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit https://www.lhh.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers