Purchasing Manager

Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
Kalamazoo, MI

This position leads the local purchasing with a mission of developing and implementing local and corporate strategic sourcing plans for commodities and services. Key metrics include, ensuring adequate supply, vendor service and quality performance adherence and improvement, and competitive sourcing environment maintenance.        

JOB FUNCTIONS:  Job functions include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Coordinate activities for buying, distributing, and paying for materials, supplies, and services. Interface with other departments as required to ensure process completion and compliance with applicable policies (safety, environmental, insurance, financial, purchasing, etc.).
  • Review purchase requisitions, approve, issue purchase orders, and receive goods in accordance with negotiated terms and conditions. Order approved materials and services in a timely and cost effective way.
  • Manage the supply chain to include the balance between existing supplier relationships and new supplier development to prevent disruption and ensure that a competitive environment exists for strategic sourcing events.
  • Develop (where applicable), review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.
  • Represent mill in negotiating local and corporate contracts and formulating pricing with suppliers.
  • Resolve claims against vendors or contractors related to service or quality level failures Performs all other duties as assigned.
  • Create, implement and monitor local KPI’s for purchasing. Develop year-over-year cost reductions and countermeasures as appropriate.
  • Participation on various strategic sourcing teams led by corporate. Serve as the leader for local sourcing initiatives at facility in all phases.       At times, this role will be responsible for coordinating corporate strategic procurement initiatives and participation within the local organization.
  • Oversee onsite storeroom inventory. Works with team on managing adequate levels of inventory for all MRO purchases.
  • Oversees capital warehouse inventory balances and proper turns for Mills operation.

BACKGROUND / EXPERIENCE:

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in large manufacturing environment
  • 3 - 5 years of purchasing experience with ERP required, SAP experience preferred
  • Proven leadership, negotiations and project management experience

EDUCATION / KNOWLEDGE:

  • Bachelor Degree or significant (10 years) experience in a related field required

SPECIFIC SKILLS:

  • Ability to prioritize, plan, track, execute and document multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Effectively troubleshoot issues and develop long term cost effective solutions.
  • The incumbent must demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to make reasoned decisions on actions to be taken based upon his/her knowledge and experience, with less than complete information on the current situation.
  • Must be action oriented and rise to meet challenges quickly, sometimes with a minimum of planning.
  • Dynamic, flexible team player with demonstrated ability to lead and develop others.
  • Good Interpersonal skills and ability to influence people
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office or similar word processing, spreadsheet, and communications software. 

SCHEDULE DEMANDS:

  • General schedule is 8 am - 5 pm - Monday - Friday during normal business hours. Employee must be willing to work alternate schedules that may include early mornings, nights, and/or weekends and be punctual while doing so.
  • Occasional overnight travel, 10% maximum, to include flying or driving.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

  • Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
  • Awkward movements while working on equipment.
  • Lifting up to 20 lbs.
  • Reading computer screen or other electronic devices.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

  • Integrity and Trust                              
  • Action Oriented                                              
  • Priority Setting
  • Intellectual Horsepower
  • Business Acumen                             
  • Developing Direct Reports and Others
  • Drive for Results                                
  • Managing Vision and Purpose
  • Building Effective Teams

Graphic Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decision on an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, age, gender or sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, genetic information, disability, veteran/military status

#LI-NV1

Required Experience

At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities. With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful. If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you. Learn more about us at .

Inspired Packaging. A World of Difference.

Graphic Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decision on an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, age, gender or sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, genetic information, disability, veteran/military status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Click here to view the Poster, EEO is the Law .

Posted 2025-09-30

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