Packaging Buyer

We are seeking an experienced Packaging Buyer to manage the end-to-end sourcing, purchasing, and production coordination of packaging components within target project budget for turnkey manufacturing of Personal Care products.  This role is responsible for primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging, ensuring all materials meet approved specifications, artwork requirements, and applicable quality and regulatory standards.

The Packaging Buyer is responsible for managing on-time delivery for efficient production planning and customer due dates. The position collaborates closely with external packaging vendors and designers, as well as cross-functional internal teams including Product Development, Sales, Production, Planning, Quality, and Inventory to ensure seamless execution across all packaging operations.

Responsibilities

• Carry out responsibilities in compliance with company policies, work procedures, and federal, state, and local laws. Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and health and safety rules and regulations.

Procurement and Sourcing

• Source and purchase packaging components from approved vendors as well as validating new suppliers.
• Evaluate suppliers based on cost, lead time, service, compliance, and quality performance.
• Request quotes, negotiate pricing, and secure cost savings while maintaining quality standards.
• Manage and update approved supplier lists and vendor contacts.
• Review MRP/ERP demand requirements, to submit and manage purchase orders.
• Maintain appropriate safety stock and reorder points for packaging materials.
• Monitor supplier lead times, delivery commitments, and open orders.
• Resolve supply issues proactively to avoid production delays.
• Maintain accurate parts pricing in ERP system.
• Create and track purchase orders, delivery dates, and confirmations.
• Maintain accurate data in ERP (pricing, lead time, supplier info).
• Reconcile invoice discrepancies with Finance.
• Prepare procurement reports, KPIs, and supplier performance updates.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all packaging components meet specifications, GMP requirements, and company quality standards.
• Work with Quality, Engineering and R&D teams to qualify new components.
• Assist with nonconformance investigations, supplier corrective actions, and deviations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Support new product development by securing samples, quotes, and timelines for new components.
• Provide quotations and samples from multiple supplier options for new product opportunities.
• Maintain retain standard liability.
• Partner with Production and Scheduling to align material availability with batch and filling plans.
• Collaborate with Mechanics and R&D on packaging changes or technical issues.
• Communicate delays, risks, and material constraints to internal stakeholders.
• Maintain a positive and productive relationship with co-workers and others with whom the position may have contact.
• Perform tasks with safety in mind for self and others.  Use personal protective equipment as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

To fulfill requirements of job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Operations, or related field preferred; equivalent experience accepted
• 2-5 years of Packaging sourcing and procurement, ideally in personal care, cosmetics, OTC, food, or similar regulated manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of packaging components and supplier categories (plastics, glass, closures, labels, unit carton, tamper, corrugate, etc.)
• Knowledge and strong understanding of printing methods used for packaging materials.
• Experience with GMP environments, supplier audits, and quality documentation.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and vendor management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Must be a team player and be able to work independently.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with others in an effective and professional manner.
• Must have solid mathematical skills with the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, percent, dimensions, weights, convert English/Metric units, and apply concepts to practical situations
• Must be able to work in person onsite.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.

The work environment is generally quiet and may include shared workspace.

The compensation range for this role is $73,000 – $92,000 per year.  Compensation is commensurate with level of knowledge, education, skills, and experience applicable to the position.

We understand that each team member’s situation is unique, and so it is our intent to offer an overall benefits package that can be shaped and molded by each individual to fit their family’s needs. Our current benefits package, which is available to all full-time team members, includes medical, dental, vision insurance, 401k retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, life and disability coverage, and other voluntary benefits.

We want everyone to feel welcome, respected and we are committed to providing the best space, experience and workplace for our teams – no matter what race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, veteran or disability status and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

 

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