Packaging Sourcing & Procurement Coordinator

The Packaging Sourcing & Procurement Coordinator is the operational backbone of the packaging supply chain. This role owns the day-to-day sourcing, vendor management, and procurement activities that keep materials flowing on time and on spec. Working closely with kitting/fulfillment/co-packing division, account managers, customer service, solutions engineers, and operations leadership, the coordinator translates customer requirements into purchase orders, supplier relationships, and cost-optimized material programs.

Packaging procurement is where service promises become real. A late corrugate shipment stops a kitting line. A spec error on a custom box costs an account. The coordinator sits at the intersection of sales commitments and operational execution — and their ability to anticipate, source, and deliver directly determines client satisfaction and margin performance.

Sourcing & supplier management

• Manage a curated panel of corrugated, film, flexible, label, and specialty packaging vendors
• Source custom and oversized corrugated packaging to account specifications
• Issue RFQs, evaluate bids, and negotiate pricing, lead times, and contract terms
• Maintain dual-source qualification for all critical SKUs to protect supply continuity
• Identify and onboard new suppliers to expand capability in strategic material categories

Procurement & order management

• Generate and manage purchase orders for active packaging programs
• Maintain accurate lead time and safety stock models for material category and customer programs
• Monitor open orders and proactively communicate delivery risks to operations and sales
• Reconcile invoices against POs and resolve pricing discrepancies with vendors
• Execute VMI and consignment programs where applicable to reduce carrying cost

Specification & BOM management

• Key contributor to maintaining the company's packaging specification library — completeness, accuracy, and version control
• Work with solutions engineers to translate customer requirements into vendor-ready specs
• Support packaging audits by pulling current spec data, pricing, and supplier scorecards
• Manage artwork and print spec coordination with suppliers for custom-printed packaging

Cost management & reporting

• Track packaging spend by category, supplier, and customer program on a monthly basis
• Support annual and mid-year cost-down initiatives with sourcing data and supplier quotes
• Benchmark current pricing against market rates and flag variance for management review
• Prepare sourcing reports and savings summaries for QBRs

Cross-functional collaboration

• Partner with account managers to understand program requirements
• Support new account onboarding by sourcing materials and establishing initial programs
• Coordinate with the design and engineering team on custom packaging development timelines
• Assist in sustainability initiatives including FSC-certified and PCR material transitions

Required

• 5+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain coordination
• Familiarity with corrugated packaging materials, board grades, and basic specifications
• Familiarity with flexible, stretch film, folding cartons or other packaging materials
• Experience issuing purchase orders and managing vendor relationships
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel — pivot tables, VLOOKUP, basic cost modeling
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent programs
• Clear written and verbal communication skills for internal and supplier-facing work

Preferred