Strategic Sourcing & Category Management (Packaging Category)

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The Consultant supports the Global Packaging Category Leader in the development and execution of category strategies across packaging materials and services for medical device and healthcare product portfolios. The role provides sourcing, supplier management, spend analytics, and project execution support to drive cost optimization, supply continuity, sustainability, innovation, and risk mitigation initiatives while ensuring compliance with quality, regulatory, and procurement requirements.

Key responsibilities will include:

Category Strategy & Sourcing

Support the development and implementation of packaging category strategies aligned with business objectives.

Conduct market intelligence, supplier benchmarking, and category assessments.

Identify cost-saving opportunities through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, should-cost analysis, and value engineering.

Execute RFx events, supplier negotiations, and contract management activities.

Develop sourcing recommendations based on total cost of ownership (TCO) principles.

Supplier Relationship Management

Manage relationships with packaging suppliers and strategic partners.

Monitor supplier performance through KPIs, scorecards, and business reviews.

Drive supplier development initiatives focused on quality, innovation, sustainability, and service excellence.

Collaborate with suppliers to identify new packaging technologies and materials.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Packaging Engineering and R&D teams on new product development initiatives.

Support packaging qualification, validation, and change management projects.

Collaborate with manufacturing sites to ensure packaging continuity and risk mitigation.

Engage with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure compliance requirements are met.

Cost & Value Management

Drive annual productivity and savings initiatives.

Analyze spend, pricing trends, commodity indices, and market dynamics affecting packaging materials.

Develop business cases for cost optimization and process improvement opportunities.

Track and report category performance metrics and savings achievements.

Risk & Compliance Management

Assess supply risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Ensure supplier compliance with quality systems, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.

Support business continuity planning for critical packaging components.

Maintain category governance processes and procurement compliance standards.

Sustainability & Innovation

Support execution of sustainable packaging initiatives.

Identify opportunities to reduce packaging waste and improve recyclability.

Evaluate innovative packaging solutions that enhance product protection and customer experience.

Partner with suppliers on environmental and sustainability objectives.

Experience and Qualifications:

• 4+ years of procurement, sourcing, category (Packaging) management experience.
• Experience with MedTech, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Pharma, or Manufacturing industries preferred.
• Demonstrated supplier negotiation and contract management experience.
• Experience working across global stakeholders, multiple BUs, and cross-functional teams (Legal, Finance, Procurement)
• Automation: Basic familiarity with automation / AI-enabled contract analysis tools
• Exposure to workflow automation tools and digital reporting
• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Packaging Technology, Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• MBA / masters
• Certification in Procurement/Sourcing (CIPS, CPSM – good to have)
• Experience with MedTech, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Pharma, or Manufacturing industries preferred. Exposure to multi-BU / global operating models
• The ideal candidate will possess direct experience supporting Global Services, specifically within the domains mentioned above.
• ERP systems: Any among SAP, Ariba, Oracle, Coupa, Ivalua
• Analytics tools: Excel, Power BI, Tableau
• Familiarity with automation and AI-driven procurement tools