Job Description
Position Title:
Category Lead - Capital and Manufacturing Services
Pay Rate :
$120,000 - $134,500
Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.
Category/Shift :
Salaried Full-Time
Physical Location :
Loveland, OH On Site
The Job You Will Perform:
This position is responsible for the procurement of:
Capital Equipment, Engineering and Construction services related to capital projects, and/or
Manufacturing Services required to support manufacturing facility maintenance and operations
Engagement typically involves purchases that are greater than $500,000. The Category Lead will effectively utilize the Strategic Sourcing process to increase value to IP. Scope includes procurement strategy development, negotiations, advanced analytical tools, contract management, warranty enforcement, and ongoing supplier management. Situations can require acting in a lead or team member role. Assignments can involve any of IP's Containerboard facilities and include leadership for relationships with strategic suppliers. The individual will work on a variety of projects concurrently covering single and multi-facility agreements with the project duration from one week to up to a year. The individual must be open to the possibility of extensive travel based on project demands. The individual has responsibility for approximately $150 million in annual expenditures and controls commitment authority of $2,000,000-4,000,000.
Key Responsibilities:
Achieve targeted cost reductions through application of the Strategic Sourcing process, understanding available technologies, bidder selection, effective buying strategies, negotiations, and value-based decision making.
Serve as a key team member throughout the Capital Project Delivery Process with input in cost estimation, potential supplier determination, contract and risk mitigation strategy development and project schedule; includes payment schedules and other commercial activities.
Function as Lead Buyer and Team Leader for the execution of sourcing event activities for Manufacturing Services Categories. Utilize the Strategic Sourcing process to create effective strategies that deliver maximum cost reduction and value creation. Effective engagement and facilitation of a diverse team including mill stakeholders, assistant buyers, financial analysts, and other subject matter experts is essential to success.
Develop and drive opportunities for reduction of life cycle costs by engaging key suppliers in suggesting improvements to our operations, processes, or procedures with the goal of reducing total cost of ownership (TCO).
Must be able to formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists with decision-making policy formulation, or other purchasing functions.
Ensure compliance with standards and policies with key stakeholders throughout the procurement process. Will routinely collaborate with Regional Engineering Offices, Facility Procurement professionals and Engineers, consulting engineers, and Technology.
Support facility needs in the procurement of facility specific services and resolution of supplier issues:
Offer strategies and advice; identify supplier contacts
Assist in evaluations and achieve problem resolution
Authorize purchase decisions for amounts above facility authority level including oversight of bid selection process
Lead and participate in activities to continuously improve the effectiveness of the department through application of Manufacturing Excellence tools, identification of opportunity areas and effective communication with all stakeholder groups.
Ownership of assigned renewable contracts requires oversight of both category-based and single facility contracts. Success metrics are:
Timely renewal of contracts
Effective and creative strategy development
Strong Category Management - Sufficient supply options, new supplier development, Total Cost of Ownership reduction, KPI tracking, dispute settlement, strong supplier relationships; includes long term strategy for improvement; key indicator is mill/stakeholder satisfaction
Fair and rapid resolution of performance disputes and contract related issues
The Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge You Will Bring:
Bachelor's degree required . A minimum of 5 years' work experience with manufacturing facility, industry, extended purchasing, or capital project experience preferred.
Successful candidates should have demonstrated leadership skills, technical aptitude, strategic thinking skills, effective communication skills, analytical skills, an understanding of business and financial basics, the ability to work independently and the ability to function as a team player including the strength/ability to stand alone when necessary.
A strong customer focus is important for collaborating and interfacing with stakeholders.
Good PC skills are needed for accessing financial data, analyzing alternatives, and preparing presentations. Use of the following software systems is required: SAP, SAP BW, SharePoint, Excel, and PowerPoint. Working knowledge of Oracle SQL is considered an advantage.
Knowledge of policies and procedures and the legal aspects of purchasing are desirable.
About Us
The Benefits You Will Enjoy:
International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets
The Career You Will Build:
Leadership training, promotional opportunities
The Impact You Will Make:
We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you'll see why our team members say they're Proud to be IP.
The Culture You Will Experience:
International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.
The Company You Will Join:
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.
International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.
Job Identification 2002145
Job Schedule Full time
