Associate Category Manager, Procurement Packaging

Work Location: ​Chicago​

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

Want to make an impact?

The Associate Category Manager will support Category Manager/Director on the Packaging Procurement team. This role partners with internal Procurement pillars, collaborates with the external supplier community, as well as internal cross-functional teams to ensure products are brought to market in a timely manner.

Ways you will make a difference

• Work with suppliers and other internal departments including Project Managers, Production Planning, Operations, Quality Assurance, R&D, Packaging Engineering, Material Management, Master Data and Finance.
• Work with the departments noted above on the commercialization of new and/or updated products; responsible for understanding project and timeline, completing documentation and communicating to internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist in Dragonfly artwork approvals, PLM spec retrievals.
• Generation of requests for quotation to suppliers.
• Support productivity improvement initiatives that generate cost savings and value creation.
• Support the RFP/RFQ process, contract negotiations and administration of supplier contracts. 
• Research and provide data for spend and market analysis.  Understands, and is able to articulate stakeholder requirements to internal and external teams.
• Develop implementation plan and works with operations and QA to ensure timely onboarding of new suppliers and/or products.
• Team with cross-functional partners to resolve CAR issues if need and obtain credits due.
• Monitor and report on business trends as it relates to assigned suppliers, including production changes and commodity component price changes.
• Maintain Vendor Scorecard inputs. Plans and participates in business reviews with internal and external stakeholders to review and improve supplier performance.
• Work on assigned tasks for corporate integrations.
• Ensures adherence to all Company policies and procedures.
• Understands and demonstrates the Company’s core values.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Skills that will make you successful

• Individual should be detail oriented, analytical, organized, with strong written and oral communication skills, and excellent project and time management skills.
• Action-oriented problem solver who takes appropriate action and follows through timely.
• Self-starter who is proactive and identifies critical business threats and opportunities.
• Ability to work independently on new assignments.
• Ability to work with suppliers and internal departments to resolve issues in a timely and positive manner.
• Solid/demonstrated team player.
• Ability to participate in a broad range of activities and changing priorities, including multi-tasking, as necessary.
• Understands the origin and reasoning behind key procurement policies, practices and procedures.
• Must be flexible, agile, results and deadline driven.

Experiences that will support your success

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations or equivalent 
• 3-5 years of relevant work experience strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc).
• SAP / S4/ ERP experience highly preferred.
• CPG / Food background preferred.
• Experience in a disciplined, yet constantly changing, operating environment, in a matrix organization.

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO).  Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Candy-2025-OE-QR

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $80,325 to $112,455 annually.