Sourcing Manager - Packaging

Sourcing Manager - Packaging

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you'll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman's, and Pangburn's have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let's continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life…

As the Sourcing Manager- Packaging, you will lead the sourcing and supplier management strategy for key packaging materials that support Russell Stover's product portfolio, including corrugated components, display-ready cartons, shippers, labels, soft cell wadding, and specialty packaging. In this role, you will develop category strategies, negotiate commercial agreements, and build strong supplier partnerships to ensure quality, continuity of supply, and cost competitiveness. You will work closely with cross-functional partners in R&D, Marketing, Operations, and Quality to align packaging solutions with business needs, anticipate market changes, mitigate risk, and drive continuous improvement.

This is a hybrid position based in Kansas City, MO, requiring three days onsite each week. Local candidates are strongly preferred, and relocation assistance is not available for this role.

What you will be doing…

• Develop and Execute Sourcing Strategies

• Develop and execute category strategies that ensure a reliable, high-quality, and cost-effective supply of packaging materials, including corrugated board, display-ready cartons, shippers, labels, soft cell wadding, and other essential components that support chocolate production. Align sourcing plans with business priorities, market conditions, and quality expectations.

• Supplier Management and Negotiation

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers that meet Russell Stover's standards for quality, service, cost, and reliability while building collaborative, high-performing relationships.

• Lead negotiations for contracts, pricing, and commercial terms to secure favorable agreements that balance cost optimization, quality, and supply assurance.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with R&D, Marketing, Operations, Planning, and Quality to align packaging sourcing activities with new product launches, production requirements, quality standards, and inventory goals.

• Risk Management and Market Analysis

• Monitor market trends, supplier performance, capacity constraints, and external factors that could impact supply continuity. Develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans to reduce risk and maintain uninterrupted operations.

• Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance sourcing processes, improve supplier performance, reduce total cost, and strengthen packaging quality and service levels.

• Use data, scorecards, and performance metrics to identify trends, uncover opportunities, and support informed decision-making and innovation within the packaging category.

• Compliance and Sustainability

• Ensure sourcing activities comply with applicable regulations, industry standards, and company policies related to quality, safety, and sustainability. Promote responsible sourcing practices that support Russell Stover's values and corporate reputation.

• Support reporting including savings tracking, KPIs, and supplier metrics

If visiting our manufacturing plants, you will be expected to:

• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards.
• Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant's food safety and quality objectives.
• Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non-conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities.
• Actively contributes to the continuous improvement of the company's Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role.

This job posting is not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

Do you have what it takes?

(Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, or a related field. Additional experience and qualifications will be considered.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management, preferably within the food or confectionery industry
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing sourcing strategies that deliver cost savings, improve quality, and mitigate supply chain risks is also essential.
• Solid understanding of raw material markets, industry trends, and supply chain dynamics
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of analyzing data and deriving actionable insights to drive informed decision-making
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and ERP systems
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation

Do you stand above the rest?

(Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience in food manufacturing or confectionery
• Experience with sourcing software/tools
• Experience working cross- functionally with teams in R&D, Marketing, QA, and Operations

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Make Happy. Work Happy.