Manager, Direct Procurement; Packaging

The Manager, Direct Procurement role for GTI is responsible for partnering with the Procurement, Brand, Marketing, and Operations teams and will lead the sourcing and procurement of direct materials to support the company’s needs. This role will be critical to ensure materials are procured in the most cost- and time-efficient manner by evaluating contracts and vendors while driving reporting and tracking for assigned spend categories.

This role will be accountable for driving profit enhancement through negotiations and enabling differentiated product sourcing solutions while maintaining quality and delivery to the business. This role will drive the continuous process of actualizing the best sourced material solutions to achieve organizational goals and efficiencies.

This is a hybrid role based in Chicago, IL with in-office expectations of 1‑2 days per week.

• Undertakes day-to-day, full-cycle procurement activities for GTI’s top brands and related categories.
• Evaluates various solutions available in the market and provides recommendations, working closely with engineering, brand, marketing, and the project team to ensure collaboration.
• Leads the sourcing process, including preparing RFI/RFQ/RFPs while working closely with stakeholders to understand their needs and translating that into the sourcing process.
• Oversees the management of ongoing vendor relationships and supplier performance across portfolios; acts as a point-of-contact and subject matter expert on contract terms; responsible for renewal of existing contracts and renegotiations of pricing.
• Identifies strategic opportunities that result in cost savings and efficiencies for the Procurement team.
• Works closely with the accounting team to ensure vendor billing is correct and terms & conditions are adhered to.
• Follows procurement strategies, policies and procedures as defined by the leadership team, developing a comprehensive understanding of the business and user requirements for assigned spend categories.
• Develops a business relationship with functional stakeholders on the Operations, Brand, Marketing, and Project teams, soliciting feedback on sourcing and vendor performance, sharing and discussing supplier base opportunities, and identifying new and changing needs.
• Builds a network of reliable and quality suppliers and vendors; forges close supplier relationships with specific vendors.
• Helps drive tracking and reporting for assigned spend areas; develops tracking mechanisms and supplier key performance indicators with the Director; tracks compliance and develops leakage reports; supports formal management reporting to the Director and other members of senior management.
• Manages complex negotiations with suppliers that require a detailed strategic plan.
• Monitors status of open purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery of all materials, including timely resolution, communication, and mitigation of potential future problems.
• Determines and establishes optimal inventory levels based on forecast, demand variation and equipment lead times.
• Supports the development of cross‑functional teams by identifying internal customers and stakeholders for inclusion; interfaces with internal customers to understand requirements and resolves issues; involves key stakeholders in sourcing development and execution.
• Identifies and partners with business stakeholders to execute cost‑reduction opportunities to achieve financial goals without compromising quality or service.
• Directly manages and mentors a team of Procurement Planners.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field: business, supply chain, finance.
• 5+ years in packaging procurement (on‑shore, near shore and global) and contract administration/management; experience purchasing direct materials (packaging, ingredients, etc.).
• 3+ years people‑management experience.
• Expertise in the supplier market landscapes: major suppliers, trends, threats, terms, etc.
• Hands‑on expertise in developing and implementing programs for cost reduction, supplier performance management and inventory reduction, and well‑versed in all stages of procurement.
• APICS or Supply Chain Certification is preferred.
• Highly…