About this Procurement Manager, Paper & Flex Packaging role at fairlife
fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.
With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.
A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.
To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.
job purpose:
The Procurement Manager, Paper (corrugate) & Flex (shrink sleeves, shrink film, stretch film) Packaging is accountable for leading all activities within strategic sourcing and procurement operations for the Paper and Flex categories within the packaging portfolio at fairlife. This role is directly responsible for managing and overseeing the development and execution of sourcing strategies that align with fairlife’s strategic objectives: cost improvements, supply resilience, innovation, and supporting growth. The position delivers value to the business by ensuring fairlife sources the highest quality, most cost-effective packaging materials from a reliable, high performing supply base. The Procurement Manager, Paper & Flex Packaging will drive business continuity and risk mitigation, collaborate on sustainability & innovation initiatives, be an owner in the Supplier Relationship Management process, and deliver continuous improvement in the value chain.
responsibilities:
- Lead all procurement and category management activities for Paper & Flex Packaging spend at fairlife.
- Identify, develop, and implement sourcing strategies that reduce total delivered cost, mitigate inflationary headwinds, and bolster supply resiliency.
- Manage supplier performance through routine business reviews and cross-functional scorecard evaluation process.
- Identify risks and vulnerabilities within paper & flex packaging supply base and develop risk mitigation strategies to build a more resilient supply chain.
- Lead Request for Proposal (RFP) process to ensure consistent lowest total cost of ownership.
- Develop and execute vendor agreements in close collaboration with Legal Team.
- Assist in the development and management of annual material cost budgets.
- Analyze and forecast market inflation trends and work to address any price variances to budget.
- Support Packaging Engineering Team in innovation and sustainability projects involving supplier & material selection.
- Develop a supply base which creates and sustains a competitive advantage, enabling strong supply chain resilience while effectively leveraging spend, and driving innovation & sustainability.
- Monitor, track and report on savings and key performance indicators for category
- Stays abreast of industry trends, supplier capabilities, and emerging technologies within the paper & flex packaging industry.
- Support new packaging development projects, including supplier selection and qualification.
- Resolve any unforeseen problems with suppliers relating to operations, purchasing or quality/performance.
- Collaborate with Planning Team on inventory flow & order optimization opportunities.
skills/qualifications required:
- Bachelor’s Degree (Preferably in Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance or Engineering).
- 5+ years’ experience performing packaging strategic sourcing or relevant experience.
- Sound technical knowledge in flexible packaging (shrink sleeves, shrink film, stretch film) and paper packaging (corrugate or paperboard) for beverage/CPG.
- Demonstrated track-record of executing year-over-year cost savings initiatives and ability to develop a cost savings project pipeline.
- Category management capabilities to mobilize cross-functional teams to mitigate risk and deliver value.
- Strong project management background desired with experience in CPG environment
- Ability to effectively negotiate and influence business decisions.
- Proactive business results-focus, and proven ability to provide insights that generate value.
- Strategic thinker that is focused on winning today AND building for the future.
- Able to thrive in a dynamic and fast-moving environment, eager to partner, create value-based relationships with team members up, down and across the organization.
how fairlife nourishes you:
At fairlife, we believe in better — and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and wellbeing resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, both in and out of work.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one!
- Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)
- Paid Time Off to recharge and support work-life balance
- Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000)
- Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support
- 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match
- Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work-life support
- Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
- Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)
- Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)
- Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential
- Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups
fairlife’s nour!sh program is designed to meet you where you are — supporting your individual wellbeing journey while enabling you to do your best work every day.
position location: Chicago, IL
reports to: Sr. Manager, Packaging
travel requirements: up to 30%
exempt/nonexempt: exempt
*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.
fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.
In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email [email protected].
For Recruitment Agencies
At fairlife, we manage the majority of our hiring internally through our dedicated Talent Acquisition team, which is actively engaged in direct candidate sourcing. Most of our roles are filled through applications submitted via our careers site or through direct outreach by our team.
As our recruitment is primarily handled in-house, we work only occasionally with external agencies, and only those on our existing, pre-approved vendor list. At this time, we are not reviewing or expanding that list.
Unsolicited resumes or submissions from external agencies not authorized by our Talent Acquisition team will be considered direct candidate applications. As such, fairlife will not assume responsibility for any placement fees associated with these submissions.
