What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sourcing Specialist position at Oliver Packaging and Equipment Company?
If you are looking for a company where you can grow and develop alongside respectfully collaborative teams, join us at Oliver Packaging and Equipment Company. With a history dating back to 1890, we offer the stability of a well-established organization and the support of colleagues who truly value one another. In addition to competitive base pay, we provide a generous benefits package, including a bonus plan, a 5% 401(k) match, 15 days of paid time off, and 10 paid holidays in your first year (pro-rated in year one).
Our culture is built on teamwork and a shared commitment to creating and delivering packaging and equipment solutions around the globe. You’ll see your work make a real impact—in places like Walmart and Panera Bread, in schools providing meals to children, through programs like Meals on Wheels supporting seniors, and in hospitals helping patients in recovery.
If you want your work to matter and to be part of a supportive team with a strong foundation and long-term vision, this is the opportunity for you.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Job Summary:
The Sourcing Specialist supports procurement activities by identifying, evaluating, and placing purchased items with best-value suppliers. This role focuses on sourcing suppliers for new products while also supporting supplier reviews and optimization efforts for existing items as needed. Suppliers may be within the current supply base or newly identified and developed to meet business requirements.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Monitor market trends, pricing benchmarks, and emerging technologies to guide sourcing strategies
- Identify supply risks, potential disruptions, and alternative sources to ensure continuity of supply
- Research, evaluate, and recommend suppliers during new product onboarding initiatives
- Analyze total cost, including logistics, tariffs, and lifecycle costs, to inform supplier selection and sourcing decisions
- Prepare, issue, and manage Requests for Quotation (RFQs) with prospective and existing suppliers
- Lead contract negotiations, cost-reduction initiatives, and commercial discussions with suppliers as required
- Qualify and onboard new suppliers in compliance with company policies, legal requirements, and industry regulations
- Coordinate new product development activities in collaboration with suppliers and internal stakeholders
- Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Operations to ensure supplier capabilities meet technical and regulatory requirements
- Partner with suppliers to resolve technical, quality, or supply-related issues efficiently
- Monitor and evaluate ongoing supplier performance (quality, on-time delivery, cost, responsiveness) and implement continuous improvement initiatives
- Maintain accurate supplier and procurement data in an ERP system and generate reports on cost, lead times, and sourcing effectiveness
Basic Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or technical-related field or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- Minimum of 3-5 years of supply chain or procurement experience in an advanced ERP-driven environment
- Experience in packaging or food packaging industries preferred
Essential Functions:
- Ability to effectively negotiate
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers
- Strong project management and execution capabilities
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Proven ability to interpret and understand technical specifications and requirements
- Strategic, results-oriented mindset with a strong focus on quality, accuracy, and continuous improvement
- High sense of urgency and attention to detail when managing individual and team-based projects
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally to gather information, make recommendations, and drive improvement
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, CSI, and related management information systems and processes
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:
This role offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement, combining remote and on-site work. While certain responsibilities may be performed remotely, on-site presence will be expected at times to effectively support supply chain operations. On-site work takes place in both office and manufacturing environments and includes collaboration with cross-functional teams, engagement with manufacturing and supply chain partners, supplier coordination activities, and participation in meetings that support operational alignment and business objectives. This hybrid model provides flexibility while ensuring strong connection to on-site teams, processes, and resources critical to supply chain execution.
Travel Requirements:
This position requires occasional travel, up to 10% annually, to suppliers, vendors, customers, and industry trade shows. Travel is an important part of the role, supporting supplier relationships, new product development, sourcing initiatives, and staying current with industry trends. Travel will be planned in advance based on business needs.
Salary : $75,000 - $90,000