ABOUT DEPARTER - THE KNOW-WHO PEOPLE
Departer is a leading German Executive Search firm with over 20 years of experience in global leadership recruitment. We specialize in placing executives in medium-sized enterprises and private equity portfolio firms across DACH, MEAI, ASIA, and ANZ regions. With a deep understanding of the DACH economy, we facilitate successful placements within global management teams across corporate headquarters and entities abroad.
For our world-leading client, an international producer in packaging solutions, we are searching for a Procurement Manager. Our client is a global market leader in its segment and continually develops new product innovations. As an employer, our client values diversity, driving innovation and change, global connectivity, with a unique team spirit and culture. As a Procurement Manager, you will be responsible for developing and executing the sourcing strategy and implementing procurement initiatives for the secondary packaging category. You will report directly to the Cluster Procurement Director. This role is pivotal in driving cost efficiency, market analysis, supplier innovation, and sustainable procurement practices. This is a highly strategic role that combines category expertise with operational execution to deliver measurable value across the supply chain. The Category Manager will collaborate with regional stakeholders, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to achieve optimal outcomes aligned with the global procurement organization’s goals. Primary regions in scope will be Asia Pacific, CIS, India, Africa, Middle East and Turkey.
Your duties and responsibilities will include:
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies in Asia and Africa for corrugated packaging, foils, and pallets aligned with global goals
- Analyze 2nd packaging supply chain trends, risks, and opportunities
- Align category initiatives across country, regional, and global procurement teams
- Lead sourcing initiatives to identify and evaluate suppliers for packaging categories
- Negotiate contracts, ensuring favorable terms, quality, and compliance
- Build strong supplier relationships to foster innovation, sustainability, and improvement
- Conduct regular supplier reviews to address issues and drive performance
- Drive cost reduction while maintaining quality and performance
- Monitor and report on category spend to Procurement Director
- Identify value-adding solutions like alternative materials and new tech
- Ensure a continuous supply of materials across the Americas cluster
- Identify and mitigate risks related to supply, compliance, and market shifts
- Collaborate with logistics and supply chain for optimal inventory and delivery
- Align procurement strategies with sales, operations, finance, and logistics
- Serve as category expert and advisor to internal teams
- Integrate ESG principles into procurement to support sustainability goals
To be successful in this role, you should have the following skills and experiences:
- Bachelor's in supply chain, business, engineering, MBA or equivalent preferred
- At least 10 years in procurement/category management, ideally in packaging, chemicals, or manufacturing
- Successful track record managing categories in multinational settings
- Deep knowledge of packaging materials, suppliers, feedstocks (paper, plastic, steel), and market indexes
- Strong data analysis skills for trends, performance, and cost drivers; experienced with global market indexes (e.g., EUWID)
- Hands-on approach, effective in environments with limited data systems
- Excellent negotiation and contract management skills focused on value and risk mitigation
- Skilled in developing long-term, business-aligned category strategies
- Strong communication and presentation skills with stakeholders at all levels
- Proficient in procurement systems (Microsoft D365, Coupa) and data visualization tools
- Willingness to travel