Sr. Specialist, Procurement

The Opportunity

This position entails the effective sourcing of product categories and/or commodities used in the manufacturing or sales of SWPS products. Commodities may include raw materials, finished components, and indirect. Partner with suppliers that will provide the quality, price and timely delivery required to meet SWPS requirements.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:

• Work closely with the sales organization at all levels to provide best solutions for customers at competitive pricing with optimum levels.
• Be the product knowledge expert by working with suppliers, sales, and other industry training resources.
• Domestic sourcing, supply chain and sales support, in an Industrial Packaging distribution environment. Strong project management and negotiating skills are required. International sourcing experience is a plus.
• Drive cost savings, delivering product innovations and improvements, reducing speed to market, and delivering process improvements in Supply Chain and Manufacturing.
• Communicating cross-functionally at all levels of the organization. Additionally, you will work to maintain and improve our strategic supplier relationships both domestically and internationally.
• Work with management to transform the current sourcing strategy focusing on integrated and strategic supplier partnerships, speed to market and a flexible and agile supply chain. A focus will be placed on ensuring that we are buying at the right quantity and price from the right vendor.
• Maintain a vast knowledge of the best suppliers in a market region or nationally to support the SWPS customer base.
• Work closely with Sales and Procurement to ensure flawless and timely execution of product, national and seasonal launches. You will also be required to respond to
• emergencies or special situations which may require resolution, e.g. If there is a shortage of product or an issue with a product or distribution channel.
• Identify and develop new suppliers who have offerings that SWPS may be able to bring new products to market. Additionally, you will work with existing suppliers to implement new technology to improve existing products (cost, quality, etc.) or develop new products.
• You will lead the development of defining and creating the processes and procedures required to procure new products and new discounts for total cost savings.
• Examine quantity/right prices, develop and implement cost savings initiatives while ensuring imperceptible difference to the consumer and maintaining quality and safety standards.
• Drive supplier partners to propose and, with our approval, implement cost savings ideas.
• Provide critical information when negotiating all supply contracts with new and existing suppliers.
• Work with category management to generate and implement efficient sourcing and packaging programs.
• Analyze and calculate costs of procurement and suggest methods to decrease expenditure.
• Perform cost and scenario analysis.

What you need to succeed:

• Five years (5) experience in Purchasing or Sourcing within a Distribution or Manufacturing environment with a track record of achieving results.
• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant subject, a plus.
• Knowledge of Industrial Packaging products, such as flexible packaging, films and other packaging materials, highly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of unit cost reduction in a distribution environment
• Success developing, leading and/or participating in cross functional project teams
• Entrepreneurial and creative with the ability to successfully interact within a multicultural business environment and at all levels of the organization, including senior leadership
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) MS Project; and other applications as required.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Some travel may be required

What we offer: 

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence. 
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities. 
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential. 
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work. 

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