Indirect Procurement Category Manager Packaging

The Category Manager, Packaging is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for packaging categories that support Brenntag's chemical distribution and operational network across North America. Primary categories include steel drums, plastic drums, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), pallets, corrugated packaging, labels, shrink film, placards, closures, and other industrial packaging materials.

This role will lead category strategy development, supplier relationship management, contract negotiations, cost optimization initiatives, risk mitigation activities, and supply continuity programs. The Category Manager will work closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, EHS, Quality, Packaging Engineering, and Finance teams to ensure reliable supply, competitive total cost of ownership, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across the packaging portfolio.

Success in this role requires strong analytical capabilities, strategic sourcing expertise, supplier management skills, and a thorough understanding of industrial packaging markets that support hazardous and non-hazardous chemical products.

Category Strategy & Sourcing

• Develop and execute category strategies for industrial packaging commodities, including steel drums, plastic drums, IBCs, pallets, labels, shrink wrap, corrugate, placards, and related packaging materials.
• Analyze market conditions, supplier capabilities, industry trends, raw material impacts, and risk factors to establish long-term sourcing strategies.
• Lead strategic sourcing events, including Requests for Information (RFI), Requests for Quotation (RFQ), and Requests for Proposal (RFP).
• Evaluate supplier proposals using total cost of ownership principles, including pricing, freight, inventory, lead time, quality, service, sustainability, and supply risk considerations.
• Identify and implement cost reduction, value engineering, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key packaging suppliers.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews using established KPIs, including cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness, innovation, and service.
• Lead supplier negotiations for pricing, contracts, payment terms, rebates, service agreements, and capacity commitments.
• Resolve supplier performance issues and develop corrective action plans when required.
• Identify, qualify, and onboard new suppliers to improve competition, reduce risk, and enhance supply continuity.

Supply Assurance & Risk Management

• Monitor packaging market trends, raw material indices, supply chain risks, and industry developments that may impact availability or cost.
• Develop contingency plans and dual-source strategies to ensure uninterrupted supply for critical packaging categories.
• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain teams to address supplier constraints, shortages, and emergency requirements.
• Support inventory optimization initiatives while maintaining service level expectations.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with manufacturing, warehouse, transportation, operations, EHS, quality, and commercial teams to understand packaging requirements and business needs.
• Provide procurement expertise and market intelligence to support organizational decision-making.
• Lead cross-functional projects focused on packaging standardization, spend consolidation, supplier rationalization, and process improvement.
• Promote procurement best practices and ensure stakeholder alignment with sourcing strategies.

Contract & Compliance Management

• Develop, negotiate, execute, and manage supplier agreements and contracts.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies, regulatory requirements, industry standards, and packaging specifications.
• Maintain appropriate supplier documentation, records, and performance reporting.
• Support audit activities and supplier qualification processes as required.

Analytics & Reporting

• Analyze spend, consumption, demand patterns, supplier performance, and category opportunities.
• Develop and maintain category dashboards, savings tracking, and supplier scorecards.
• Document and report procurement savings, cost avoidance, working capital improvements, and value creation initiatives.
• Leverage procurement tools and systems to improve data quality, visibility, and decision-making.

Global Category Collaboration

• Partner with global and regional procurement teams to align sourcing strategies, leverage scale opportunities, and share market intelligence.
• Support global supplier negotiations and cross-regional initiatives where applicable.
• Drive standardization and best-practice adoption across the organization.

Qualifications:

• Experience managing packaging, industrial commodities, manufacturing materials, or related procurement categories preferred.
• Demonstrated success negotiating supplier contracts and implementing cost savings initiatives.
• Strong analytical, financial, and project management skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and procurement-related systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience within the chemical, manufacturing, industrial distribution, packaging, or logistics industries.
• Knowledge of industrial packaging regulations, hazardous materials packaging requirements, and sustainability initiatives.
• Experience managing suppliers of steel drums, plastic drums, IBCs, pallets, labels, shrink film, or corrugated packaging.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or APICS certifications. (Preferred)

Education / Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, or supply chain experience.

We aim to create an environment where the best people want to work, where they can turn their passion into their job and realize their full potential.

• Individual development, on-the-job training, and development programs designed to help our employees grow in their careers.
• Paid parental leave
• Education assistance program
• Employee assistance program
• Various healthcare plan options as well as 401(k)

INTERESTED?

We look forward receiving your application.

Brenntag and its subsidiary companies will provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to any category protected by federal, state or local law, including as applicable, applicant’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical condition), genetic information, military service, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable federal, state or local law, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, parental status, expunged juvenile record, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Brenntag will provide reasonable accommodations to allow an applicant to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a test or job interview) if so requested. When completing this application, you may exclude information that would disclose or otherwise reference your race, religion, age, sex, genetic, veteran status, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. This application is considered current for sixty (60) days only. At the end of this period, if you are still interested in employment, it will be necessary for you to reapply by completing a new application.

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Brenntag provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees of all backgrounds and identities to create a workplace where difference is valued because it forms a resilient and more innovative organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion or belief, parental and family status, or any other protected characteristic. We welcome applications from women, men and non-binary candidates of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds.

Brenntag TA Team