Procurement Manager, Packaging

The Role 

The Procurement Manager, Packaging for GTI, is responsible for partnering with the Procurement, Brand, Marketing and Operations teams and will lead the sourcing and procurement of packaging to support the company’s needs. This role will be critical to ensure packaging solutions are procured in the most cost and time efficient manner by evaluating contracts and vendors while driving reporting and tracking for assigned spend categories. This role will be accountable for driving profit enhancement through negotiations and enabling differentiated product sourcing solutions while maintaining quality and delivery to the business. This role will drive the continuous process of actualizing the best sourced packaging solutions to achieve organizational goals and efficiencies. 

Responsibilities 

• Undertakes day-to-day, full-cycle, packaging (rigid & flexible) procurement activities for GTI’s top brands and related categories. 
• Takes the lead on new and continuous projects (innovation & market expansion) from a packaging intake point of view and provides solutions post sourcing cycles.  
• Will attend all business-critical meetings involving innovation, brand and provide packaging sourcing support.  
• Places orders through our ERP system and monitors the status of open orders to ensure on-time delivery of all materials, including timely resolution, communication, and mitigation of future potential problems. 
• Determines and establishes optimal inventory levels based on forecast, demand variation and equipment lead times.  
• Evaluates various solutions available in the market and provides recommendations. Also works closely with Engineering, brand, marketing, and the project team to ensure collaboration.  
• Leads the Packaging Sourcing Process, including preparing RFI/RFPs by working closely with stakeholders to understand their needs, translating that into the RFI/RFP process. 
• Oversees the management of ongoing vendor relationships and supplier performance across their portfolio; acts as a point-of contact and subject matter expert on contract terms; responsible for renewal of existing contracts and renegotiations of pricing.  
• Identifies strategic opportunities which result in cost savings, areas for efficiency and opportunities for Procurement team. 
• Works closely with the accounting team to ensure vendor billing is correct and terms & conditions are adhered to.  
• Follows procurement strategies, policies and procedures as defined by the leadership team, develops a comprehensive understanding of the business and user requirements for assigned spend categories. 
• Develops a business team ship with functional stakeholders on the Operations, Engineering, Brand, Marketing & Project teams and solicits feedback on sourcing and vendor performance, shares and discusses supply base opportunities, and identifies new and changed needs. 
• Builds a network of reliable and quality suppliers and vendors; forges close supplier relationships with specific vendors. 
• Helps drive tracking and reporting for assigned spend areas; develops tracking mechanisms and supplier key performance indicators with the Sr. Director and other leaders.  
• Manages complex negotiations with suppliers that require a detailed strategic plan. 
• Supports the development of cross-functional teams by identifying internal customers and stakeholders for inclusion; interfaces with internal customers to understand requirements and resolves issues; involves key stakeholders in sourcing development and execution. 
• Identifies and partners with business stakeholders to execute cost reduction opportunities to achieve financial goals without compromising quality or service. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field: Business, Supply Chain, Finance 
• 8+ years of experience in packaging procurement (onshore, near shore and global) and contract administration/management; experience purchasing rigid and flexible packaging and vape hardware.  
• Expertise in the Packaging supplier market: major suppliers, trends, threats, terms, etc. 
• Hands-on expertise in developing and implementing programs for cost reduction, supplier performance management and inventory reduction and well-versed in all stages of Packaging & Vape hardware procurement. 
• APICS or Supply Chain Certification is preferred. 
• Highly motivated, self-directed, innovative, and able to work independently or among teams with keen judgement, common sense, and resourcefulness. 
• Adapts and thrives in a demanding, start-up, fast-paced environment. 
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills (verbal, non-verbal, written), with the ability to build relationships at all levels, both internally and externally. 
• Possesses a high level of critical thinking & problem solving. 
• Operates with a high level of professionalism and integrity, including dealing with confidential information. 

Additional Requirements 

• Must pass all required background checks.  
• Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry.