What are the responsibilities and job description for the Strategic Packaging Sourcing Lead position at Tulkoff Food Products?
Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated Strategic Packaging Sourcing Lead to own all packaging procurement initiatives across our network. This role will lead sourcing strategy for corrugate, films, labels, pouches, and specialty packaging, partnering closely with Operations, R&D, and Finance to ensure cost competitiveness, supply continuity, and packaging performance that supports our rapid growth.
The ideal candidate combines strong analytical thinking, supplier-management experience, and the ability to build scalable processes in a fast-moving environment.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Strategic Sourcing & Cost Management
- Develop and execute packaging sourcing strategies across film, corrugate, labels, pouches, and secondary/tertiary materials.
- Build cost models, negotiate supplier agreements, and secure year-over-year cost reductions.
- Manage RFIs/RFQs/RFPs to evaluate competitiveness and drive supplier optimization.
- Identify and implement cost-savings initiatives related to packaging materials, freight, MOQ, and spec rationalization.
- Supplier & Stakeholder Management
- Own relationships with key packaging vendors and lead quarterly business reviews.
- Ensure supply continuity and proactively mitigate risk (capacity, quality, tariffs, resin markets, etc.).
- Partner cross-functionally with Operations, R&D, QA, Finance, and Plant Leadership to translate business needs into supplier action.
- Support new product launches by sourcing new packaging options, materials, and formats.
- Process, Systems & Data
- Build scalable procurement processes for packaging (forecasting, safety stock, vendor scorecards, lead-time standards).
- Support artwork/graphics change management and align suppliers with internal timelines.
- Maintain accurate pricing, contract terms, and master data across systems.
- Lead packaging harmonization and standardization efforts across all plants.
- Technical & Operational Support
- Collaborate with plants to troubleshoot packaging performance, line efficiency, and material compatibility.
- Validate materials through testing and trials, ensuring seamless production runs.
- Recommend structural changes or alternates that improve cost, performance, and supply resilience.
Qualifications:
To be eligible for this position, candidates should meet the following requirements:
· 3–5 years of experience in packaging sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or packaging engineering (CPG preferred).
· Strong knowledge of corrugate, flexible films, rigid packaging, labels, closures, or printing processes.
· Proven negotiation skills and experience managing suppliers.
· Ability to interpret data, build cost models, and present recommendations to leadership.
· Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on environment with shifting priorities.
· Excellent communication, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Salary : $85,000 - $90,000