What are the responsibilities and job description for the Purchasing Agent position at Innomark Communications?
We're looking for talented individuals to join our team! Join INNOMARK and become a part of developing, producing, and delivering impactful Visual Marketing solutions for 100 well-known brands and retailers. INNOMARK delivers Visual Marketing solutions that attract attention, engage shoppers, and convert sales. Our mission is to create retail experiences that connect brands and consumers through effective visual communication. In-house design, engineering, printing, manufacturing, and fulfillment guarantee excellence from concept to completion. Visit www.innomarkcom.com to learn more about our work, history, and culture.
Purchasing Agent – Print & Paper Packaging
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Purchaser with a specialized background in print media, paperboard, and paper manufacturing. In this role, you will manage the end-to-end sourcing of paper substrates, corrugated materials, and print services critical to our manufacturing operations.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management
- Source, evaluate, and onboard high-quality paper mills, brokers, commercial printers, and converters.
- Monitor supplier performance metrics (on-time delivery, quality, and cost variance) and conduct regular vendor reviews.
Technical Print & Paper Procurement
- Review production specs to determine optimal paper stocks (e.g., GSM, caliper, brightness, finish, and coating) for specific manufacturing equipment and press runs.
- Manage procurement for specialized print processes, including litho-lamination, flexographic printing, digital, and gravure.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance to resolve paper-related defects, press downtime issues, or substrate failures.
Inventory & Demand Planning
- Analyze manufacturing schedules to forecast paper demand and maintain optimal Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory levels.
- Track global pulp and paper market trends, indices (e.g., RISI), and capacity constraints to proactively manage price volatility.
- Manage raw material waste factors and optimize sheet/roll sizes to minimize scrap during production.
Qualifications & Skills
- Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent hands-on experience.
- Experience: 3–5 years of purchasing/procurement experience specifically within print manufacturing, commercial printing, or paper packaging.
- Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of paper grades, manufacturing processes (corrugated, folding carton, flexible packaging), and print pre-press through finishing.
- ERP Proficiency: Strong experience using ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) for inventory management and PO creation.
- Negotiation: Proven track record of navigating volatile commodity markets and building strong vendor partnerships.
- Sustainability Knowledge: Familiarity with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative), and PEFC certifications.
- Analytical Mindset: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and cost modeling.
Benefits:
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 401(K) Matching
- 10 Paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off
- Flexible Spending Account
Innomark is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status.