Your Opportunity as the Associate Sourcing Manager, Packaging

The J.M. Smucker Company is a $9 billion consumer packaged goods (CPG) company with a portfolio of beloved brands spanning coffee, pet food, snacking, and food and beverage categories. Our Packaging Procurement team is responsible for sourcing the materials that contain, protect, preserve, inform, market, and deliver our products to consumers every day. We partner across the enterprise and with a diverse supplier network to drive innovation, supply assurance, sustainability, and value for the business.

The Associate Sourcing Manager, Packaging will support the day-to-day sourcing and category management activities for one or more packaging categories (which may include corrugate, folding cartons, labels, flexible packaging, rigid plastics, glass, or metal packaging) within the Direct Materials Procurement organization. This role manages supplier relationships and provides cross-functional procurement support to R&D/Technical Services, Brand Marketing, Project Management, Operations, and Finance. This is an excellent opportunity for a sourcing professional to build foundational category expertise, gain cross-training across multiple packaging categories, and develop as a Procurement professional.

Location: Orrville, OH Corporate Offices

Work Arrangements: Hybrid - onsite a minimum of 9 days a month primarily during core weeks as determined by the Company; maybe more as business need requires.

In this role you will:

• Develop and execute category strategies that align with business goals and procurement objectives for assigned categories, while executing and maintaining existing category strategies in partnership with the Sourcing Manager for supported categories.

• Manage day-to-day supplier relationships, including performance reviews, order support, and issue resolution/escalation.

• Serve as a point of contact for internal stakeholders, resolving supplier and category issues across plant and co-manufacturing locations.

• Analyze spend and forecast data to identify trends and optimization opportunities.

• Manage category spend and provide accurate cost forecasts to finance stakeholders as part of annual budgeting and monthly financial reviews. 

• Provide procurement support for new product launches, seasonal rotations, point-of-purchase (POP) displays, value engineering initiatives, and ongoing production needs.

• Monitor market trends, price indices, and supplier capacity to build category and market knowledge.

• Maintain accurate category, item, and pricing data in relevant systems (e.g., Oracle, Prodika, Aire).

• Support RFP/bid processes, including data gathering, bid analysis, and supplier communication.

• Negotiate supplier contracts, pricing, service levels and terms to maximize savings and mitigate risk.

• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to support Transformation, sustainability, and cost-savings initiatives.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Build relationships with business leaders and the packaging supply base to understand operational needs, capabilities, and align sourcing strategies.

•  Support cross-training and category backup coverage.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree

• At least 2 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or a related field.

• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to build trust across all levels of the organization, from plant to leadership.

• Effective communicator with strong business acumen, critical-thinking skills, and a demonstrated ability to solve problems and make sound recommendations.

• Ability to manage multiple, sometimes competing, priorities across categories, business units, and initiatives.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment and adapting to change.

• Ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and work effectively in a somewhat self-directed environment.

• Willingness to travel up to10% to supplier and plant locations.

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

• Familiarity with ERP/sourcing systems (e.g., Oracle).

• CPG or packaging industry experience.

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The Right Place for You 

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs. 

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We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.