Sourcing Specialist Packaging

Sourcing Specialist – Packaging

Department: Supply Chain / Procurement
Reports To: Purchasing and Inventory Manager
Location: Naperville Facility
Industry: Frozen Food Manufacturing / Co-Packing
Position Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Sourcing Specialist – Packaging is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing packaging materials required to support manufacturing operations. This position works closely with Procurement, Planning, Production, Quality, R&D, Customer Service, and suppliers to ensure packaging is available on time, at the right quality, and at the best total cost .

The position will manage assigned packaging commodities, develop supplier relationships, negotiate pricing, monitor supplier performance, and support new product launches and packaging changes.

Key Responsibilities

Packaging Sourcing & Procurement

- Source packaging materials including cartons, corrugated cases, bags, films, labels, liners, totes, pallets, and other packaging components.

- Develop and maintain qualified packaging suppliers.

- Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations and negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, MOQs, and payment terms.

- Identify opportunities to reduce packaging cost through competitive sourcing, specification changes, volume leverage, and supplier negotiations.

- Maintain accurate pricing and supplier information within the ERP system.

- Monitor market conditions and identify packaging cost trends and risks.

Supply & Inventory Management

- Ensure packaging materials are available to support the production schedule.

- Work closely with Planning and Production Scheduling to identify upcoming packaging requirements.

- Monitor supplier lead times, minimum order quantities, and inventory levels.

- Support appropriate Min/Max, safety stock, and reorder-point levels .

- Identify and resolve potential shortages before they impact production.

- Coordinate expedited orders when necessary while minimizing premium freight costs.

- Help manage obsolete and excess packaging inventory.

Supplier Management

- Establish strong relationships with key packaging suppliers.

- Monitor supplier performance for:

On-time delivery

- Quality

- Pricing

- Responsiveness

- Lead-time adherence

- Participate in supplier scorecards and business reviews.

- Work with Quality to address packaging defects and corrective actions.

- Develop alternate suppliers for critical or high-risk packaging materials.

New Product & Packaging Development

- Support R&D and Commercial teams with packaging sourcing for new products.

- Obtain quotes and lead times for new packaging components.

- Coordinate packaging samples and trials with suppliers.

- Support development of packaging specifications, artwork, and revisions.

- Ensure packaging changes are communicated to Planning, Production, Quality, and suppliers.

- Support BOM development and packaging component setup in the ERP system.

Cost Savings & Continuous Improvement

- Develop and execute annual packaging cost-reduction initiatives.

- Conduct competitive bidding and supplier comparisons.

- Identify opportunities for:

Volume consolidation

- Specification optimization

- Alternate materials

- Alternate suppliers

- Freight optimization

- Contract pricing

- Longer-term supply agreements

- Track and report purchasing savings and cost avoidance.

Required Qualifications

- 3+ years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, procurement, or supply chain.

- Experience sourcing packaging materials , preferably within food or consumer products manufacturing.

- Strong negotiation and supplier-management skills.

- Experience working with ERP systems; Plex experience is a plus .

- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

- Ability to manage multiple suppliers, projects, and priorities.

- Strong communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with frozen food, food manufacturing, or co-packing.

- Knowledge of corrugated, flexible packaging, cartons, films, labels, and printed materials.

- Experience with packaging specifications and artwork.

- Experience with supplier scorecards and strategic sourcing.

- Understanding of food manufacturing quality and food-safety requirements.

- Experience supporting new product introductions.

- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred.