Resin Sourcing Specialist/Product Manager

Resin Category Product Manager – Packaging

Location: Greater Northwest Chicago Area

My client is a recognized leader in custom packaging solutions and one of the most respected privately held organizations in the packaging industry. Due to continued growth and investment in their product categories, they are seeking a Resin Category Product Manager to join their team.

This organization has built an exceptional reputation through innovation, customer focus, and long-term employee retention. Their collaborative, team-oriented culture is a significant differentiator—employees build careers here, and many spend decades with the company before retiring. With extensive custom packaging capabilities, strong supplier partnerships, and a commitment to continuous growth, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a highly respected industry leader.

Position Overview

The Resin Category Product Manager will lead sourcing, supplier negotiations, category strategy, and profitability initiatives for polyethylene-based packaging products including stretch film, poly bags, pouches, industrial films, carton sealing tape, and related packaging solutions.

This individual will play a key role in developing supplier partnerships, negotiating contracts and rebate programs, managing private label product lines, and identifying opportunities to improve margins while supporting the company's continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead supplier negotiations to secure competitive pricing, rebate programs, and favorable contract terms
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with resin producers, converters, and packaging manufacturers
• Manage sourcing strategies for stretch film, poly bags, pouches, industrial films, and related packaging products
• Analyze market trends, resin indices, and supplier performance to identify cost-saving opportunities
• Drive vendor consolidation initiatives to improve efficiency and strengthen supplier partnerships
• Develop pricing strategies that align with market conditions and profitability goals
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Finance, and Product teams to support customer needs and business objectives
• Manage supplier contracts, volume commitments, lead times, and quality standards
• Provide leadership with regular reporting on market conditions, supplier performance, and sourcing initiatives
• Support growth through new product introductions and supplier diversification strategies

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field
• 5+ years of sourcing, procurement, purchasing, or category management experience
• Experience within packaging, distribution, manufacturing, plastics, films, flexible packaging, or related industries
• Strong understanding of polyethylene resin markets and packaging applications
• Proven success negotiating contracts, rebates, pricing agreements, and supplier partnerships
• Advanced analytical skills with strong Excel capabilities; Tableau or other data visualization tools preferred
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and build strong supplier relationships

What Makes This Opportunity Unique

• Join a financially strong, privately held industry leader
• Highly collaborative and team-oriented culture
• Long employee tenure and exceptional retention
• Significant growth initiatives and investment in packaging categories
• Opportunity to directly impact sourcing strategy, profitability, and supplier partnerships
• Broad product portfolio and unique custom packaging capabilities
• High visibility role with interaction across leadership, sales, operations, and suppliers

If you have experience in packaging, resin sourcing, procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing and are looking for an opportunity with a highly respected industry leader, we'd welcome a confidential conversation.