Category Manager for Converting Process Equipment

Category Manager For Converting Process Equipment

As a Category Manager for Converting Process Equipment, you will oversee an annual category spend of $250-300 million as well as supporting execution of ad hoc CAPEX spend of another $80-100MM across North American operations. You will be instrumental in optimizing procurement strategies and ensuring seamless delivery of engineering and construction-related services. Your primary objectives include managing supplier relationships, negotiating service contracts, and driving cost efficiencies while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and compliance. A typical day involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to understand project requirements, analyzing market trends, and implementing strategic sourcing initiatives. You will play a crucial role in aligning procurement activities with broader organizational goals, contributing to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and sustainability. This role requires strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, negotiation expertise, and the ability to foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock :

• Create and manage the strategic procurement and sourcing process for Converting Process Equipment and for spares, manufacturing consumables and service to support such equipment including demand and market analysis, sourcing, negotiations, supplier award, implementation, and performance.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define project requirements and understand operational needs.
• Support procurement planning and execution for CAPEX projects across North American Consumer and Corrugated Box Plants, ensuring alignment with project timelines, budgets, and technical specifications.
• Gather, cleanse, and analyze data from multiple systems to generate insights and recommendations that drive decision-making.
• Understand market trends, supplier capabilities, and cost drivers in engineering and construction services.
• Develop and execute category strategies leveraging market and spend data, supplier intelligence, industry trends, and company needs.
• Clearly articulate the value of the category strategy and its alignment with organizational objectives.
• Assess suppliers and vendors to identify risks and implications for project delivery.
• Lead strategic sourcing processes, including supplier identification, negotiation, selection, and onboarding.
• Negotiate service agreements that reflect achieved results and meet company standards.
• Drive cost savings and continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining service quality and reliability.
• Measure and track results using data from multiple systems.
• Monitor compliance with strategy and ensure total cost of ownership (TCO) reductions are realized.
• Forecast budgetary impact and track actual savings.
• Work with stakeholders to ensure savings are incorporated into annual operating plans.
• Implement project controls and performance metrics to optimize service delivery and reduce delays.
• Continuously improve procurement processes and drive productivity gains.
• Conduct regular business reviews with service providers to stay informed on changes affecting Smurfit Westrock.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to handle disruptions and ensure business continuity.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, industry regulations, and ethical standards in all procurement activities.
• Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of category management strategies.

What you need to succeed :

What we offer :

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE : SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose : Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity, and respect, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.