Job Description

FIRST BRANDS GROUP, LLC has an immediate opening for a PACKAGING CATEGORY MANAGER! The primary function of this role is to develop, implement, and drive the sourcing and procurement strategy for the global packaging spend category. This role also develops & maintains market intelligence to enable strategies required to improve the quality of decisions throughout the value chain.

THIS ROLE CAN BE BASED IN CLEVELAND, OHIO OR REMOTE

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Develop strong stakeholder engagement to understand packaging requirements, effective project management and negotiation skills, with the ability to drive standardized improvements to remove complexity from the sourcing process
• Able to lead cross-functional teams, influence and effectively communicate at all levels of the organization with the agility to complete projects quickly.
• Primary objectives include cost savings throughout the supply chain, supplier consolidation, part number rationalization, developing category strategies, and mitigating supply chain risk. 
• Develop category strategies, cost savings projects, and manage the global packaging portfolio, including corrugated cartons, white cartons, printed boxes, pallets, labels, bags, stuffing materials, rigid packaging, wrap, and related equipment.
• Support and lead non-packaging projects and categories within indirect or direct procurement teams as necessary
• Identify and engage stakeholders across First Brands Group businesses to understand business needs, collect necessary data, and build project teams.
• Understand indices and commodities markets for pulp and paper, CDI, and other relevant commodities markets.
• Provide a fact-based understanding of the current supply base and intelligence on business relationships.  
• Identify and select suppliers, lead negotiations, and mitigate supply chain risk.
• Design and manage the Request for Information and Request for Quotation package workflow as needed to support business objectives using bidding software.
• Manage supplier relationships with key strategic suppliers and develop playbooks to define the working relationships.
• Engage in dispute resolution and conduct regular and disciplined internal team engagement for continuous improvement processes.
• Deliver documented hard cost savings from bid processes, negotiations, and other innovative savings opportunities to meet business requirements and procurement organization objectives.
• Provide internal stakeholders with pertinent contract information and periodic training on contract content and interpretation. Drive compliance through rapid and complete implementation.
• Manage communications with suppliers and serve as the key point of contact for the businesses on contractual matters.
• Other responsibilities as assigned

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Packaging engineering degree or bachelor’s degree in related supply chain discipline preferred with 3 years of packaging category management experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong problem solving and project management skills.
• Strong analytical skills; Ability to decipher large complex projects and data sets, conduct analyses such as TCO and NPV.
• Translate implications from analysis into preliminary recommendations and options.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, collaborate with, and direct team members that are not direct reports. Must be willing to challenge the status quo. 
• Highly skilled in Excel and presenting using Excel tables and charts
• Experience in strategic sourcing with a large multi-region, multi-national organization strongly preferred.
• Ability to succeed in ambiguous and fast-paced work environments, pivot when needed, and deliver results quickly.
• Must have excellent time management skills; able to work across different cultures/countries; effective negotiator; able to develop & implement repeatable processes; self-starter
• Be able to learn multiple ERP systems including SAP, Oracle, AS400, etc.

BENEFITS:

• Work from home position, can be completely remote!
• Great benefits and competitive salary
• Terrific team and work culture!
• Opportunity for growth

Company Description

First Brands Group, LLC is the parent company of many of the automotive industries most recognizable OEM and Aftermarket brands. First Brands Group is a privately held organization and leader in automotive repair and maintenance products. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio with operations found around the globe, we are a team of professionals dedicated to building profitable, enduring growth among all our customers with an unrelenting drive to exceed customer’s expectations.