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.
Core Responsibilities- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Experience in a packaging distributor, manufacturer, or 3PL environment
- Exposure to kitting, fulfillment, or contract packaging operations
- Familiarity with ERP or procurement management systems (SAP, NetSuite, Coupa, or similar)
- Understanding of packaging sustainability standards: FSC, PCR content, recyclability
- Experience supporting sales teams with pricing and sourcing proposals
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, or a related field or equivalent experience
How success is measured first 12 months
- On-time material delivery rate ? 97% across all active programs
- PO accuracy and invoice reconciliation rate ? 99%
- Identified and delivered ? 5% cost savings on at least two material categories by month 12
- Zero kitting line stoppages attributable to sourcing or procurement failures
- Competitive base salary
- Annual performance bonus tied to savings, accuracy, and program metrics
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
- 401(k) with company match
- A collaborative, fast-moving team where your work directly shapes client outcomes
