Senior Buyer

Sunstar Americas, Inc. is a global leader in the oral care industry and the manufacturer and distributor of GUM oral care products and solutions. Formerly known as the John O. Butler Company, we are renowned for our exceptional production and distribution, and high-quality oral care products. With our headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois, and branches in Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina, as well as distribution partners in Central and South America, we have established ourselves as an industry leader.

Why Work at Sunstar? Sunstar’s mission is to enhance the health and well-being of people everywhere via its four business areas: mouth and body, health and beauty, healthy home, safety and technology.

Position Summary:

Responsible for the strategic sourcing, procurement, inventory management, and supplier performance of Packaging Materials and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) commodities. This role drives cost savings, ensures supply continuity, supports manufacturing and distribution operations, and partners cross-functionally to deliver quality, service, and operational excellence while supporting the company's overall procurement strategy.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for packaging materials and MRO categories to support business objectives and supply continuity.
• Lead supplier selection, negotiations, contract management, and ongoing supplier performance evaluations.
• Identify and implement cost savings initiatives through strategic sourcing, value engineering, supplier consolidation, and process improvements.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, R&D, Distribution, and Finance teams to support new product launches, packaging changes, and operational requirements.
• Support new product development by sourcing packaging components and assisting in the development of cost models to support strategic decision-making.
• Participate in the development and execution of the annual Global Purchasing Strategic Plan.
• Partner with global procurement teams on consortium purchases and leverage opportunities to maximize purchasing synergies and cost reductions.
• Manage supplier relationships to ensure quality, service, delivery, and regulatory compliance standards are consistently achieved.
• Resolve supplier quality issues, material discrepancies, claims, and return processes in partnership with Quality and Operations teams.
• Monitor packaging material and MRO inventory levels to support inventory turn objectives while minimizing stock-out risks.
• Analyze market trends, commodity pricing, and supply chain risks to proactively manage supply continuity and mitigate disruptions.
• Maintain accurate purchasing data, supplier records, contracts, and pricing information within ERP systems.
• Track and report cost reduction initiatives and monitor actual versus planned savings performance.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on procurement processes, supplier performance, inventory management, and operational efficiency.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field preferred and or 5 years of experience.

Knowledge/Experience

• Minimum 5 years of procurement experience with emphasis on Packaging Materials, MRO, indirect spend, or related commodity categories.
• Experience sourcing and managing packaging commodities such as corrugate, folding cartons, labels, shrink film, flexible packaging, displays, pallets, and warehouse consumables preferred.
• Experience managing MRO categories including maintenance supplies, spare parts, facility supplies, safety products, and operational consumables preferred.
• Experience in a regulated manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience with supplier negotiations, contract management, strategic sourcing, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Experience managing inventory, supplier performance metrics, and procurement analytics.
• Proficiency with ERP systems required; experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) preferred.
• Experience utilizing Power BI for reporting, spend analysis, KPI tracking, and procurement decision-making preferred.
• International sourcing and supplier management experience is a plus.

Skills

• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including pivot tables, lookups, reporting, and data analysis.
• Experience utilizing ERP systems, preferably Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365).
• Experience developing, maintaining, and analyzing procurement and inventory dashboards using Power BI.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills.
• Self-starter with strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Effective communication skills including written, verbal, and presentation capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing and distribution environment.

Abilities

• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Ability to communicate, interact, and work effectively with internal stakeholders and external suppliers from diverse backgrounds and locations.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to make sound business decisions utilizing data analysis and financial evaluation.
• Ability to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and drive measurable results.

What Makes Sunstar Special is:

• A business focused on health and wellness of people around the world
• High Quality Products
• Beautiful state-of-the-art facility
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Corporate Social Responsibility Program and partnership with charitable organization
• Strong value placed on company culture
• Excellent, comprehensive insurance coverage that includes Medical, Vision, and Dental benefits.
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement
• Employee discount on Sunstar products
• 401K retirement plan with employer match (Pretax and Roth options)
• 401K profit sharing contribution based on company performance.
• Paid holidays and generous paid time off. Pet, Legal and Identity Theft Insurance Plans
• Competitive bonus
• On-site café
• On Site Fitness Center
• Corporate Perks Discount Program (Auto, Retail, Electronics, Entertainment, Computers, Personal Vacations, Cell Phones, Movie Tickets, Eating Out and Much More)
• Beautifully maintained walking trails
• Hybrid Schedule
• Numerous employee appreciation events throughout the year.
• Recognition and Rewards Programs
• Anniversary, Birthday and New Hire Announcements

If you’d enjoy a career helping others attain overall health through oral health, consider joining the Sunstar Americas, Inc. team.

The employer is subject to certain governmental record keeping and reporting requirements for the administration of civil rights laws and regulations. In order to comply with these laws, the employer invites employees to voluntarily self-identify their gender, and race or ethnicity. Completion of this data is voluntary and will not affect your opportunity for employment or terms or conditions of employment. Information collected will be used for EEO-1 reporting purposes only and will be kept separate from all other personnel records, only accessed by Authorized Users. Information collected will be kept confidential and will only be used in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government. When reported, data will not identify any specific individual.

The pay range for this position of Senior Buyer is $83,204-$105,000 However, base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and location. This position is also eligible for an annual bonus as part of total compensation.