Summary: The Packaging Materials Procurement Manager is responsible for the planning, purchasing, and inventory management of packaging materials required to support production schedules and customer commitments. This includes corrugate, labels, stretch wrap, shrink film, steel containers, retort pouch film, and other assigned packaging materials. The role also serves as the primary liaison for private label and branded label development and change management, coordinating customer requirements with suppliers to ensure timely, accurate, compliant, and cost-effective execution. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, service-minded, able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, and a team player who will learn how to complete procurement related tasks outside of the packaging material scope.
Education: (Include licenses, certifications, permits)Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Packaging, or related field preferred. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
Experience / Qualifications: Experience in procurement, materials planning, packaging coordination, customer service, or manufacturing support preferred. Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities are required.
Skills / Abilities Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to coordinate effectively with suppliers, customers, operations, quality, logistics, customer service, and finance. Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office required. Experience with packaging materials, label control, inventory management, and supplier coordination in a manufacturing environment strongly preferred. Engineering or materials science background a strong plus.
Duties and Responsibilities: Food safety is the responsibility of every employee. Any issues should be brought to the immediate attention of the area supervisor or manager.
- Ensure continuous availability of packaging materials required to support production schedules and customer demand.
- Manage purchasing and inventory levels for assigned packaging materials, including corrugate, labels, stretch wrap, shrink film, steel containers (cans), retort pouch films, and related packaging items.
- Analyze MRP outputs and inventory positions to determine replenishment needs, maintain appropriate safety stock levels, and minimize stockouts and excess inventory.
- Create and maintain inventory items, supplier-item relationships, safety stock settings, manufacturer identifiers, and related system data for packaging materials.
- Generate purchase orders, blanket purchase orders, and non-stock requisitions as assigned; maintain accurate supplier pricing, quotes, and item records in company systems.
- Review and approve assigned invoices for price, quantity, and general ledger accuracy.
- Serve as the primary liaison with label suppliers for private label and branded label development, revision, and file maintenance.
- Coordinate customer-directed packaging and label file development using supplier and customer workflow systems to ensure requirements are captured, approved, and executed accurately.
- Manage label file updates and coordinate packaging artwork revisions with suppliers, customers, regulatory, quality, and internal stakeholders.
- Support label regulatory accuracy and authorize destruction or disposition of obsolete label inventory when appropriate.
- Manage in-house label inventory and branded label inventory held at co-packers or external locations, as assigned.
- Monitor obsolete, slow-moving, or at-risk packaging inventory and recommend actions to reduce waste and prevent write-offs.
- Generate label SKU information for in-house brands and maintain brand suffix listings and other packaging reference data required for accurate planning and execution.
- Facilitate open communication and effective coordination with Production, Warehouse, Customer Service, Quality, Maintenance, Finance, and suppliers.
- Identify opportunities to improve packaging procurement processes, inventory accuracy, artwork workflow, supplier communication, and overall operating efficiency.
- Crosstrain with other procurement personnel on all other procurement related tasks to support teamwork, business continuity, and backup capacity.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support supply chain, procurement, and business needs.
- Lead negotiations with packaging suppliers on pricing, delivery schedules, lead times, payment terms, and other commercial conditions to secure competitive costs and reliable supply.
- Structure, organize, and lead requests for proposal (RFPs) for labels, corrugate, steel containers (cans), and other key packaging materials. Coordinate internal requirements, identify and engage qualified suppliers, establish evaluation criteria, and manage the bidding process and timeline.
- Analyze supplier proposals and develop sourcing recommendations based on total cost, quality, delivery performance, capacity, and service. Present findings and recommendations to leadership and lead follow-up negotiations with selected suppliers.
- Serve as the company's primary commercial relationship leader with packaging suppliers. Develop and nurture relationships with key sales, operational, and leadership contacts at current and prospective suppliers to strengthen supply continuity, resolve issues, and encourage competitive participation in future RFPs.
Leadership / Behavioral Expectations: - Maintain an environment that promotes positive teamwork through personal actions and effective communication.
- Demonstrate ownership, responsiveness, and follow-through in support of internal and external customers.
- Communicate proactively when risks to supply, timing, compliance, or execution arise.
- Support a culture of continuous improvement by identifying problems, solving root causes, and improving processes.
- Work with humility, professionalism, and a service mindset across all departments and supplier relationships.
- Represent the company well with customers and suppliers by being accurate, dependable, and solutions-oriented.
- Demonstrate confident, well-prepared negotiation leadership, advocating for the company's cost and delivery objectives while maintaining respectful, constructive supplier relationships.
- Take initiative in building and sustaining relationships with key supplier decision-makers, maintaining regular engagement with current suppliers and cultivating potential new sources.
- Demonstrate ownership and follow-through in competitive sourcing efforts, aligning internal stakeholders, using objective analysis to guide recommendations, and holding suppliers accountable for agreed pricing, delivery, and service commitments.
- We seek managers and leaders who:
- Treat others with respect and humility.
- Make thoughtful, data-driven decisions aligned with Biblical principles.
- Encourage growth, learning, and stewardship in themselves and others.
- Build systems and teams that serve our mission to produce great-tasting, nutritious food, provide exceptional service, and progress continuously.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions: - This is a hands-on management role - actively engaging face to face with our production, quality and warehouse team members, and with supplier team members. This requires frequent presence in warehouse and production areas, and occasional presence in our suppliers' production areas.
- Must be able to walk, sit, and stand for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to operate and interface with technical equipment and software platforms.
Reports to: Director of Procurement
Schedule : 1st shift
Salary range: $80,000-$100,000 yearly
Benefits:- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
- Onsite nurse
- Corporate Chaplain
- Dependent Scholarship Assistance Program
Ability to Commute:- Northumberland, PA 17857 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:- Northumberland, PA 17857: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Employment DisclaimerThis position is considered ' at-will', meaning employment can be terminated at any time by either party, with or without notice, and for any reason not prohibited by law.
This job description describes the general nature of the duties and requirements of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or limit the supervisor's
ability to modify work assignments as appropriate to meet the needs of the organization.
