In search Packaging Buyer to cover the packaging commodity for a large manufacturing company in NE Ohio. As Packaging Buyer you are in charge of your category- which can include standard purchase of corrugate, foam, tapes, etc., but will also include projects for protective inserts, wood, steel containers, labeling, etc.

Responsible for working directly with suppliers, cost optimization and strategy definition/implementation. Maintaining supplier relationships, and follow-up on market information/trends, innovation, and sustainability. 

Your key responsibilities and challenges are:

• Responsible for the flexible packaging category supporting multiple plants. 
• Sourcing packaging material at the best “Total Cost of Ownership” within the requested timing and according to agreed quality criteria / technical specifications. You are able to run tenders and negotiations independently.
• Develop a purchasing strategy for your packaging category according to the Business Strategy considering cost, sustainability, production, quality, supply and availability, risk.
• Proficient in spend analysis and reporting.
• Constant monitoring sustainable packaging solutions and innovations in general. 
• Establish a sustainable relation and regular contacts with your key suppliers (performance evaluation, vendor objectives, cost reductions, innovations, sustainability, complaints,…).
• Work with contract packaging material with Framework Agreements / Terms & Conditions in cooperation with Legal.
• Lead cross functional projects
• Follow up and report about market trends and raw material price evolutions.
• Working directly with internal stakeholders on project specifications.