Senior Indirect Buyer (Packaging) - 27676

Senior Buyer - Packaging

Location: Pontiac, MI Area | Full-Time | Direct Hire | 100% Onsite

Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer - Packaging to manage packaging procurement and indirect material sourcing across multiple manufacturing locations throughout North America. This role will be responsible for developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, driving cost improvements, and ensuring packaging solutions support operational and engineering requirements.

The ideal candidate will have strong packaging procurement experience within a manufacturing environment, preferably automotive, with the ability to collaborate across multiple facilities and partner closely with packaging engineering teams. This is an opportunity to join a global organization with significant growth potential.

Key Focus

• Lead packaging procurement strategies across multiple North American manufacturing locations.
• Partner with engineering and operations teams to support packaging design, quality, and production requirements.
• Manage supplier relationships while driving cost savings, quality improvements, and supply reliability.

What You’ll Do

• Manage procurement of packaging materials including corrugated, returnable containers, dunnage, pallets, labels, and other packaging supplies.
• Collaborate with packaging engineering teams to ensure sourcing decisions support product requirements, quality standards, and operational goals.
• Develop and execute packaging category strategies focused on cost, quality, supplier performance, and supply continuity.
• Identify, qualify, negotiate with, and manage packaging suppliers across multiple locations.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing agreements, and service-level expectations with suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance and address quality, delivery, and cost-related issues.
• Analyze packaging material markets including paper, plastics, wood, and other commodities to identify risks and opportunities.
• Drive cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining packaging quality and consistency.
• Maintain procurement documentation, supplier records, spend analysis, and KPI reporting.
• Provide leadership updates on sourcing strategies, supplier risks, cost savings, and supply chain performance.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 5 years of procurement or strategic sourcing experience.
• Strong experience sourcing packaging materials and indirect commodities.
• 2 years of automotive manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing plants or multi-site operations.
• Strong negotiation, supplier management, contract management, and cost analysis skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.

Titles Encouraged to Apply

• Senior Buyer
• Packaging Buyer
• Indirect Materials Buyer
• Strategic Sourcing Manager
• Commodity Manager
• Commodity Buyer
• Global Buyer
• Purchasing Manager
• Category Manager