What are the responsibilities and job description for the Packaging Sourcing & Procurement Coordinator position at Professional Packaging Systems?
Position at a glance
Role summary
The Packaging Sourcing & Procurement Coordinator is the operational backbone of the packaging supply chain. This role owns the day-to-day sourcing, vendor management, and procurement activities that keep materials flowing on time and on spec. Working closely with kitting/fulfillment/co-packing division, account managers, customer service, solutions engineers, and operations leadership, the coordinator translates customer requirements into purchase orders, supplier relationships, and cost-optimized material programs.
Why this role matters
Packaging procurement is where service promises become real. A late corrugate shipment stops a kitting line. A spec error on a custom box costs an account. The coordinator sits at the intersection of sales commitments and operational execution — and their ability to anticipate, source, and deliver directly determines client satisfaction and margin performance.
Core responsibilities
Sourcing & supplier management
Required
How success is measured — first 12 months
Role summary
The Packaging Sourcing & Procurement Coordinator is the operational backbone of the packaging supply chain. This role owns the day-to-day sourcing, vendor management, and procurement activities that keep materials flowing on time and on spec. Working closely with kitting/fulfillment/co-packing division, account managers, customer service, solutions engineers, and operations leadership, the coordinator translates customer requirements into purchase orders, supplier relationships, and cost-optimized material programs.
Why this role matters
Packaging procurement is where service promises become real. A late corrugate shipment stops a kitting line. A spec error on a custom box costs an account. The coordinator sits at the intersection of sales commitments and operational execution — and their ability to anticipate, source, and deliver directly determines client satisfaction and margin performance.
Core responsibilities
Sourcing & supplier management
- Manage a curated panel of corrugated, film, flexible, label, and specialty packaging vendors
- Source custom and oversized corrugated packaging to account specifications
- Issue RFQs, evaluate bids, and negotiate pricing, lead times, and contract terms
- Maintain dual-source qualification for all critical SKUs to protect supply continuity
- Identify and onboard new suppliers to expand capability in strategic material categories
- Generate and manage purchase orders for active packaging programs
- Maintain accurate lead time and safety stock models for material category and customer programs
- Monitor open orders and proactively communicate delivery risks to operations and sales
- Reconcile invoices against POs and resolve pricing discrepancies with vendors
- Execute VMI and consignment programs where applicable to reduce carrying cost
- Key contributor to maintaining the company's packaging specification library — completeness, accuracy, and version control
- Work with solutions engineers to translate customer requirements into vendor-ready specs
- Support packaging audits by pulling current spec data, pricing, and supplier scorecards
- Manage artwork and print spec coordination with suppliers for custom-printed packaging
- Track packaging spend by category, supplier, and customer program on a monthly basis
- Support annual and mid-year cost-down initiatives with sourcing data and supplier quotes
- Benchmark current pricing against market rates and flag variance for management review
- Prepare sourcing reports and savings summaries for QBRs
- Partner with account managers to understand program requirements
- Support new account onboarding by sourcing materials and establishing initial programs
- Coordinate with the design and engineering team on custom packaging development timelines
- Assist in sustainability initiatives including FSC-certified and PCR material transitions
Required
- 5 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain coordination
- Familiarity with corrugated packaging materials, board grades, and basic specifications
- Familiarity with flexible, stretch film, folding cartons or other packaging materials
- Experience issuing purchase orders and managing vendor relationships
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel — pivot tables, VLOOKUP, basic cost modeling
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent programs
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for internal and supplier-facing work
- Experience in a packaging distributor, manufacturer, or 3PL environment
- Exposure to kitting, fulfillment, or contract packaging operations
- Familiarity with ERP or procurement management systems (SAP, NetSuite, Coupa, or similar)
- Understanding of packaging sustainability standards: FSC, PCR content, recyclability
- Experience supporting sales teams with pricing and sourcing proposals
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, or a related field — or equivalent experience
How success is measured — first 12 months
- On-time material delivery rate ≥ 97% across all active programs
- PO accuracy and invoice reconciliation rate ≥ 99%
- Identified and delivered ≥ 5% cost savings on at least two material categories by month 12
- Zero kitting line stoppages attributable to sourcing or procurement failures
- Competitive base salary
- Annual performance bonus tied to savings, accuracy, and program metrics
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
- 401(k) with company match
- A collaborative, fast-moving team where your work directly shapes client outcomes