Packaging Procurement Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

At Emmi Roth, we're passionate about creating exceptional cheeses. As a leader in the specialty cheese industry, we blend traditional craftsmanship with innovation. Our commitment to local sourcing and quality makes us a trusted brand in the food industry.

Joining Emmi Roth means becoming part of a team that values creativity, collaboration, and a shared dedication to excellence. You'll have the opportunity to work with some of the finest cheeses in the world while contributing to a company that prides itself on both heritage and progress. If you're passionate about food, craftsmanship, and making an impact, we'd love for you to be a part of our journey!

Summary

The Packaging Procurement Lead ensures deep expertise, innovation, and strategy within a critical category. This role partners closely with the Packaging Manager, Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, and Suppliers to ensure cost-effective, high-quality packaging solutions that meet business requirements and sustainability objectives, while safeguarding quality. This role supports packaging categories across the USA and, subsequently, South American entities. The position also serves as the International Lead Buyer (ILB) for defined packaging material groups, ensuring alignment and rigor across all sourcing activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Category Leadership & Strategy
Lead the packaging procurement agenda with clear prioritization: full accountability for USA entities, followed by alignment and rollout across South American entities.
Own and develop global category strategies for corrugated board, rigid plastics, and flexible plastics, ensuring applicability across regions.
Drive multi-year category roadmaps covering cost competitiveness, supporting savings delivery, sustainability, and innovation.
Analyze USA and South America spend data to identify synergies, consolidation opportunities, and optimization levers.
Challenge and harmonize packaging specifications to optimize total cost of ownership.

Sourcing & Negotiation
Lead and prepare local, regional, and Group-level tenders using professional sourcing methodologies.
Assist in defining negotiation strategies and provide support in high value negotiations with key suppliers.
Ensure structured procurement governance, documentation, and tender preparation across all entities.
Act as International Lead Buyer (ILB) for assigned packaging material groups, ensuring consistency and professionalism in all sourcing activities.

Supplier Relationship Management
Manage strategic suppliers at Group level, ensuring continuous performance improvement and long-term partnership development.
Establish and maintain global supplier performance frameworks covering cost, quality, service, innovation, and sustainability.
Build robust Global supplier strategies and contingency plans to mitigate structural and continuity risks.

Sustainability & Innovation
Integrate sustainability criteria into sourcing decisions, contracts, and supplier scorecards.
Drive initiatives related to recyclability, recycled content, carbon footprint reduction, and regulatory compliance.
Support innovation initiatives in packaging design, materials, and circularity.
Monitor market trends, cost drivers, and supply risks across USA and South America to proactively adapt strategies.

Cross Functional & Regional Collaboration
Support local procurement and work closely with R&D, Quality, Operations, and Sustainability teams to balance performance, environmental requirements and cost.
Act as the central point of expertise between Group Procurement and local teams, ensuring alignment and effective execution.
Support Procurement Excellence initiatives and reporting tools (e.g., Sievo, Archlet, Coupa).

Accountabilities
Delivery of robust packaging strategy for USA entities and South America.
Achievement of Americas cost savings, quality, service, and sustainability targets.
Governance and quality assurance of sourcing activities across all countries/entities within scope.
Group level strategic supplier relationship management and longterm partnership development.
Execution of the global packaging sustainability roadmap.
Subject matter expertise for packaging procurement, providing technical, commercial, and market insights.

Qualifications
Required qualifications, skills, and experience for the job; education background, certifications, relevant work experience, technical skills, and soft skills.

Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in economics, procurement, engineering, food science, or related field
Master's degree preferred
5+ years of experience in packaging engineering, preferably within the food or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry
Hands-on experience with packaging development, testing, and commercialization
Experience working in regulated environments (food, beverage, or pharma)
Certification such as Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) from Institute of Packaging Professional (Preferred)
Experience with sustainability initiatives (e.g., lightweighting, recyclable/compostable materials) (Preferred)

Technical Skills
Strong knowledge of packaging materials (plastics, glass, paperboard, metal) and their barrier properties
Experience with packaging processes (filling, sealing, labeling, thermoforming, injection molding)
Familiarity with testing methods (drop testing, compression, seal integrity, shelf-life analysis)
Understanding of sustainable packaging design and recyclability

Food safety & Regulatory Knowledge
Knowledge of food safety standards and regulatory requirements
Familiarity with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles
Understanding of labeling regulations and compliance requirements

Compensation: $110,000-$120,000 per year, depending on experience, skills, qualifications, and location.
Benefits

Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
Basic Life Insurance
Voluntary Life Insurance
Flexible spending accounts & Health Savings Accounts
401k Retirement Plan
Paid Holidays
Paid Vacation
Employee Assistance Program
Short term/Long term disability
Volunteer time off (VTO)
Tuition Reimbursement
Pet insurance