Category Manager - Packaging and Subcontracting

What we offer you

· Medical, Rx, Dental, Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts

· Retirement Savings Plans with Company Match/Contributions

· Education Assistance

· Bonus Plan Eligibility

· Parental Leave

Location

HYBRID-  This role follows a hybrid schedule: two days per week working from home and three days per week working onsite at one of our plants located in the Eastern Time Zone.

Our Eastern Time Zone locations include:

Salary Range $124,600- $155,000 annual (USD)- Based on Experience

Job Summary

The purpose of this role is to lead and deliver high-impact procurement projects within the Subcontracting and Packaging categories in North America, ensuring quality, cost, and delivery objectives are met in line with business targets.  This requires strong project governance, structured execution, and close collaboration with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders (plants, operations, engineering, quality, finance, suppliers).  The role sits at the intersection of category strategy and operational execution: it is project-driven and stakeholder-intensive, while also being highly data-oriented and hands-on, managing complex scopes with large SKU counts and significant variability.

What will make you successful?

Required Education/ Experience:

• Minimum 8-10 years’ procurement experience including extensive and demonstrable track record in procurement best practices and contract management.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Purchasing, Supply Chain, Business Management, Engineering, or a related field; master's preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills (mandatory).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
• Knowledge of SAP or other ERP systems.
• Strong strategic procurement, negotiation, and contract management capabilities.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and structuring skills.
• Strong ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage timelines.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and results-driven.

Preferred Skills/ Qualifications:

•    Technical exposure or understanding of metal treatment processes, fabrication, or industrial subcontracting is a strong advantage.

What you will be doing

•    Lead end-to-end procurement projects across Subcontracting and Packaging, from opportunity identification and analysis through sourcing, implementation, and performance tracking.
•    Ensure robust project planning, clear milestones, risk management, and disciplined execution.
•    Lead procurement for outsourced manufacturing with external suppliers providing surface treatment (anodizing and coating) and fabrication services.
•    Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities to optimize Total Cost of Ownership.
•    Negotiate and establish multi-year contracts with robust commercial and legal terms.
•    Shift focus from tendering to category and supplier management, following major sourcing waves already completed.
•    Lead the implementation phase of an ongoing wooden packaging tender (supplier selection in progress), ensuring smooth onboarding, operational readiness, and risk mitigation.
•    Drive detailed spend, SKU, and scenario analyses to support decision-making in complex categories.
•    Act as a key interface between procurement, operations, engineering, quality, and finance.
•    Lead and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.