What are the responsibilities and job description for the Category Specialist - MRO Sourcing position at International Paper?
Job Description
Job Title: Procurement Category Specialist II - MRO Sourcing
What if you were given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference? It is time to embrace your Infinite Possibilities. This is your opportunity to be part of International Paper, a Fortune 500 company and global leader in paper and packaging products. IP is known for our commitment to the environment and to cutting-edge technology. We have spent more than 100 years creating new ideas, and we are looking for people who can collaborate to help us build on our history, while creating future success. We are committed to attracting, preparing, promoting and supporting our teams. At International Paper, you control your destiny. We offer benefits, challenges, global opportunities and total rewards. When we say Infinite Possibilities, we mean it.
PL Range - 12
Range: $103,000-118,600
Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.
Location: Memphis, TN
6400 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38197
Category Specialist Role
This position is responsible for the procurement of MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) materials required to support our mill and converting facilities. The Buyer will effectively utilize the SVC2 process in either a lead or support role to increase value to IP. Scope includes procurement strategy development, negotiations, advanced analytical tools, contract administration, warranty enforcement and ongoing supplier management across IP’s North American box plant system. Travel may be required on occasion to facilities for stakeholder alignment but would be limited for this role. IP spends upwards of $1.5B per year on MRO materials annually. This role will have responsibility for approximately $100-120 million annually in expenditures.
Responsibilities
Negotiating
Action Oriented
Drive for Results
Priority Setting
Timely Decision Making
Decision Quality
International Paper is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Females/Individuals with Disabilities/Veterans.
About Us
The Benefits You Will Enjoy:
International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets
The Career You Will Build
Leadership training, promotional opportunities
The Impact You Will Make
We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.
The Culture You Will Experience
International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture. The Company You Will Join:
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.
International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.
Job Title: Procurement Category Specialist II - MRO Sourcing
What if you were given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference? It is time to embrace your Infinite Possibilities. This is your opportunity to be part of International Paper, a Fortune 500 company and global leader in paper and packaging products. IP is known for our commitment to the environment and to cutting-edge technology. We have spent more than 100 years creating new ideas, and we are looking for people who can collaborate to help us build on our history, while creating future success. We are committed to attracting, preparing, promoting and supporting our teams. At International Paper, you control your destiny. We offer benefits, challenges, global opportunities and total rewards. When we say Infinite Possibilities, we mean it.
PL Range - 12
Range: $103,000-118,600
Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.
Location: Memphis, TN
6400 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38197
Category Specialist Role
This position is responsible for the procurement of MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) materials required to support our mill and converting facilities. The Buyer will effectively utilize the SVC2 process in either a lead or support role to increase value to IP. Scope includes procurement strategy development, negotiations, advanced analytical tools, contract administration, warranty enforcement and ongoing supplier management across IP’s North American box plant system. Travel may be required on occasion to facilities for stakeholder alignment but would be limited for this role. IP spends upwards of $1.5B per year on MRO materials annually. This role will have responsibility for approximately $100-120 million annually in expenditures.
Responsibilities
- Achieve targeted cost reduction goals in the purchase of MRO categories by lowering purchase price, streamlining processes, and negotiating better terms.
- Act as Lead/Assist Buyer for the execution of sourcing event (wave) activities for MRO Categories. Utilize the SVC2 process to create effective strategies that deliver maximum cost reduction and value creation. Effective engagement and facilitation of a diverse team including plant stakeholders, other buyers, financial analysts, execution/enablement teams and other subject matter experts is essential to success.
- Must be able to formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists with decision making, policy formulation, or other purchasing functions.
- Lead or support supplier management activities with strategic suppliers.
- Act as the change management champion for contract categories they manage, with responsibility for implementation of new agreements and contract compliance across the category
- Lead and participate in activities with an 80/20 mindset to continuously improve processes and eliminate nonvalue added waste in the sourcing process.
- Bachelors Degree required
- A minimum of 3 years work experience is needed with facility, industry, extended purchasing or capital project experience preferred.
- Successful candidates should have demonstrated leadership skills, technical aptitude, effective communication skills, analytical skills, an understanding of financial basics, the ability to work independently and the ability to act as a team player including the strength/ability to stand alone when necessary
- Good PC skills are needed for accessing financial data, analyzing alternatives, and preparing presentations
- Use of the following software programs is required; SAP, Sievo, Sharepoint, Excel, and Powerpoint.
Negotiating
Action Oriented
Drive for Results
Priority Setting
Timely Decision Making
Decision Quality
International Paper is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Females/Individuals with Disabilities/Veterans.
About Us
The Benefits You Will Enjoy:
International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets
The Career You Will Build
Leadership training, promotional opportunities
The Impact You Will Make
We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.
The Culture You Will Experience
International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture. The Company You Will Join:
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.
International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.
Salary : $100 - $120