Job Description
This role is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing packaging materials and services required to support production and plant facility operations. Manage all buying activities for resins, masterbatch and liners as specified from Group level. The role ensures optimal inventory levels are maintained to support production schedules while balancing order quantities, storage capacity and material shelf life.
This role works closely with suppliers, Production Planning, and Quality teams to maintain high service levels, ensure material availability, and support efficient production operations.
Key Responsibilities
Buying Activities
- Manage purchasing activities for Group-level suppliers; resin, masterbatch and liners
- Prepare and communicate forecast requirements to suppliers to support production planning
- Issue purchase orders and managing the purchase order lifecycle
- Monitor production schedules and adjust open purchase orders (expedite/de-expedite) as required
- Identify potential supply risks and recommend mitigation plans to ensure continuity of supply
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction and supply chain optimization
Procurement Activities
- Identify and develop alternative sourcing options for packaging materials and plant consumables
- Negotiation of pricing, payment terms and supply agreements with suppliers
- Prepare and communicate forecast requirements to suppliers to support production planning
- Issue purchase orders and manage the purchase order lifecycle process efficiently
- Monitor production schedules and adjust open orders (expedite/de-expedite) as required
- Identify supply risks, recommend and implement plans for mitigation
- Ensure compliance with approved supplier agreements
- Obtain supplier quotations for projects, evaluate supply options, and provide purchasing recommendations
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction and supply chain optimization
Inventory Management
- Monitor and report slow-moving and aged inventory
- Investigate root causes for excess and slow-moving inventory, recommend and implement disposition plans
- Maintain current reconciliation for CHEP pallet inventory
- Identify and initiate enhancements to improve reporting tools for operational visibility and decision-making
Supplier Management
- Manage plant level supplier relationships, including sourcing, supplier validation and ongoing performance management
- Support the management of supplier relationships with Group-level suppliers for resins, masterbatch and liners in alignment with Group Procurement
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers to support operational and strategic objectives
- Support supplier audits with Quality group
- Manage the internal supplier non-conformance process, ensuring corrective actions are implemented, claims are submitted and issues are properly recorded in SAP
- Work with suppliers to resolve quality, service or delivery issues
- Monitor, record and communicate supplier performance including quality, on-time delivery and service levels
- Maintain and update the internal Approved Supplier List
Data and System Management
- Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier master data within the ERP system
- Maintain standard costs in QAD to reflect current costs and exchange
- Assist with resolving supplier invoice discrepancies
Other Responsibilities
- Travel domestically and internationally up to 5% as required
- Participate in the See It, Sort It, Report It continuous improvement program
- Ensure compliance with all company policies related to quality, food safety, safety, and environmental standards
- Report any quality, food safety, safety, or environmental issues to the appropriate manager or supervisor
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Post-secondary education in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, or a related discipline
- Professional certifications such as APICS CPIM, CSCP, or Supply Chain certification are considered an asset
- Minimum 3–5 years of experience in materials planning, production planning, procurement, or supply chain operations within a manufacturing environment
- Experience working with Material Requirements Planning (MRP) or ERP systems, preferably SAP
- Proven experience managing suppliers, RFQs, cost analysis and negotiations
- Experience working cross-functionally including Production, Maintenance, Sales, Quality
Skills and Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience working with reporting tools such as QlikView or similar BI platforms
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and suppliers
- High attention to detail with strong data accuracy and system discipline
- Ability to anticipate supply risks and develop mitigation strategies
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team