WestRock

Mgr, Procurement

WestRock • $75K — $95K *
Cowpens, SC 29330In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in fiber procurement or related field
  • Strong negotiation skills with a focus on long-term benefits
  • Deep understanding of financial and operational impacts related to procurement
  • Proficient communication skills for diverse audiences
  • Ability to foster collaboration across teams
  • Creative problem-solving capabilities
  • Strong ethics and integrity in business conduct

Responsibilities

  • Conduct open market and contract purchasing of recycled fiber
  • Manage direct interactions with over 100 fiber suppliers
  • Plan weekly fiber allocation to meet mill consumption needs
  • Oversee inbound fiber quality program and supplier compliance
  • Coordinate logistics with internal teams for timely deliveries
  • Support development of annual sourcing strategies alongside the Region Manager
  • Maintain accurate documentation for compliance and oversight

Benefits

  • Integrity-driven corporate culture
  • Extensive training and development opportunities
  • Career advancement within a global packaging company
  • Focus on sustainability, safety, and inclusion as core values
Full Job Description
General Information

Job ID
ATR63116

Posting Job Title
Recycle Fiber Buyer

Locations
SC Cowpens

Employment Type
Full Time

Date Posted
08-Jun-2026

Relocation Support
Yes

Description & Requirements

The opportunity:

The Recycle Fiber Buyer reports to the Region Manager to execute the purchasing and internal supply optimization to ensure recycle fiber quality, cost, and delivery necessary to best supply Smurfit Westrock mills. This role focuses on creation and maintenance of supply network, procurement strategies and the optimization of best value fiber supply to assigned mill(s). This position is part of a team responsible for purchasing 275-325k tons of recycled fiber annually (~$34-57M in annual cost) and managing procurement plans and inbound fiber quality for 925-975K tons annually for the Cowpens, Dublin, and Florence mills.

How you will impact WestRock:

  • Position is responsible for open market and contract purchases of recycled fiber for the Smurfit Westrock mills representing 30-35% of the fiber supply demand.
  • Direct interactions with 100 individual external fiber suppliers representing 240 shipping locations requiring ongoing negotiations, sourcing decisions, logistics planning, and regular business reviews.
  • Responsible for weekly fiber allocation planning to meet mill consumption and inventory strategy requirements.
  • Manages inbound fiber quality program and works with suppliers to meet mill quality standards and complete necessary corrective action plans.
  • Interacts daily with fiber coordinators and logistics load planner to schedule loads, manage logistics issues, and coordinate deliveries with mill receiving.
  • Manages fiber procurement plans with the Region Manager based on production plans and alignment with regional inventory strategy.
  • Supports the Region Manager, Fiber Procurement to develop and implement annual sourcing strategies, financial forecasts, and productivity projects.
  • Completes and maintains fiber contract documentation to meet WestRock compliance requirements.


  • Define and lead the implementation of a procurement strategy to ensure fiber supply quality and quantify to optimize papermill operations.
  • Evaluate best fiber sources.
  • Work closely with Smurfit Westrock Recycle plants to ensure optimization of internal tons.
  • Develops and drives data and metrics to ensure selecting the best fiber sources for the Smurfit Westrock enterprise, prioritizing the whole enterprise over a single site.
  • Works closely across the business to ensure enterprise-wide view.
  • Enters accurate purchase order information, updates order system with any changes.
  • Serves as a point of contact for Mill questions, concerns.
  • Communicates effectively with Mill, Accounting and Fiber Coordinator Resources to ensure accuracy of invoices, resolve any discrepancies.
  • Using market knowledge, identifies threats and opportunities to achieving overall material flow and cost containment. Works closely with other team members to align strategy.
  • Effectively understands and uses knowledge to accurately forecast demand, build/reduce inventory, adjust purchasing behaviors.
  • Using knowledge & data to initiate changes to safety stock, drive inventory levels partnering with multiple resources to ensure intended results and consequences.
  • Engages with customers and suppliers to anticipate concerns or issues. Resolves fiber coordination problem escalation.
  • Works closely with logistics to secure transportation cost reductions, ensure delivery of materials on time.


What you need to succeed:

  • Negotiation -The ability to effectively produce outcomes to a situation to be best long-term benefit of the organization. Recognizes the degree of impact both short term and long term to all parties and makes best decisions to secure desired result.
  • Business Acumen -The understanding of the financial, operational, and commercial impacts to delivering results to an organization. Ability to use that information to drive a strategy with understanding of risk and reward potential in both the long and short term.
  • Customer Orientation - Ability to conduct business with the papermill's best interest in mind while acting as the day to day connection with the papermill recycle fiber suppliers to ensure WestRock is viewed as the destination of choice.
  • Communication Skills - Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences - from direct peers up to senior leadership within the Recycle division, as well as with internal teams and external suppliers. Clearly expresses ideas in a written and spoken format. Able to build rapport with and understand perspective of others. Effectively listens, speaks and writes in a business context. Capable of conveying key messages clearly and correctly. Identifies key stakeholders and impacted parties to define appropriate audience. Engages these resources to appropriately assess situation and adjust to appropriately deliver message. Asks questions and listens without advancing own perspective to ensure understanding. Concisely identifies key issues and constructs communication methods and message appropriate to audience.
  • Creativity - Bring improvement ideas and a willingness to assist in implementing those ideas and solutions
  • Ethics & Integrity - Behave in accordance with WestRock's core values all times and encourage the same behavior in others. Takes action based upon the best interest of WestRock and build trust with colleagues across the organization.
  • Collaboration/Teamwork - Work effectively with others in the organization outside the line of formal authority - both within your team, as well as with other teams or those in leadership - to accomplish organizational goals and to identify and resolve problems.
  • Results Driven - Focus on achieving both personal and team goals to exhibit our core value of Excellence. Understands metrics and works to achieve the goals set.
  • Persuasiveness - Use appropriate interpersonal style and communication methods to gain acceptance of an idea, plan, activity, service or product from prospects and clients.
  • Adaptable to Change - Able to shift with an ever-changing environment as business grows; learn new systems, perform tasks differently. Include behavioral/competency based skills and attributes. If a competency model exists for your group, use it as a starting point.


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.


About WestRock

Westrock Coffee Company is an integrated coffee, tea, flavors, extracts, and ingredients solutions provider in the U.S., providing coffee sourcing, supply chain management, product development, roasting, packaging, and distribution services to the retail, foodservice and restaurant, convenience store and travel center, CPG, non-commercial, and hospitality industries.

WestRock Careers

Joining WestRock means becoming part of a global team dedicated to supporting some of the world’s leading companies in packaging and distribution solutions. At WestRock, we believe in fostering an environment of growth, innovation, and leadership, making it an ideal place for professionals looking to advance their careers in a dynamic industry.

Work You’ll Do

At WestRock, your work will directly contribute to our mission of redefining how packaging solutions can drive business success. As part of our team, you will use your skills to collaborate on market-leading projects that focus on sustainability and innovation. With a culture that values diversity and leadership, you will be empowered to lead projects at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and customer engagement.

Join Our Market-Leading Team

Become a part of a team where your ideas and contributions are valued. At WestRock, we are committed to providing job opportunities that enhance your professional skills while promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion. Our team consists of over 50,000 dedicated professionals who are leaders in the packaging industry, driving transformation and delivering results with precision and creativity.

Innovative Work

Engage in work that matters with a company that offers diverse job opportunities, from positions in engineering and design to marketing and supply chain management. WestRock is a place where innovation is at the forefront of what we do, integrating cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices to meet the evolving needs of our customers.

Be Part of a Great Team

Working at WestRock means being part of a supportive network that encourages professional growth and development. Enjoy the benefits of a robust internal networking system, diversity training programs, and leadership development opportunities that help you build a fulfilling career.

Future-Proof Your Career

With WestRock, you are not just finding a job; you are building a career. We offer a wide range of career paths, supported by comprehensive training programs and development opportunities that help you grow at every stage of your professional journey. Whether through an internship, entry-level position, or a leadership role, your potential for growth is limitless.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Discover the various career paths WestRock offers. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, explore how your skills and interests align with our needs. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who are curious, innovative, and ready to lead.

Stay Connected

Join the WestRock team and stay up-to-date with the latest in industry trends and company news. Search open positions that match your skills and interests, and prepare your resume to take the first step towards a rewarding career at WestRock.

Keep Up to Date

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Join Our Team

Search for open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players ready to make a difference.

SEARCH WESTROCK JOBS

At WestRock, we are more than just a packaging company; we are a team that believes in innovation, sustainability, and driving growth through inclusive and diverse global leadership. Join us, and be part of a company that values what you bring to the table and helps you turn your professional aspirations into reality.
Learn more about WestRock
Size
49,900 employees
Market Cap
$8.8 billion
Industry
Food & Beverages
Net Income
-$677.4 million
Founded
1953
5 Year Trend
+7.4%
Revenue
$17.5 billion
NASDAQ
WRK
* Ladders Estimates

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