Category Lead - Packaging North America

Job Highlights

• Liaise with regulatory group in ensuring compliance to various regulatory requirements for packaging.
• Function as packaging Subject Matter Expert (SME) for packaging design, failure analysis, root cause analysis, defining and implementing corrective and preventive action plans in cooperation with suppliers, plants, regulatory agencies, internal and external customers.
• Quality management of packaging supply chain including supplier audits, annual evaluations, plant trials etc. in conjunction with LANXESS (LXS) personnel or with external audit agencies, laboratories.
• Act as technical lead within region and participate/collaborate with Global technical teams for packaging within LXS and also within other sourcing partner companies.
• Keep abreast of new developments by continuous market research and attending packaging trade conferences.
• Address and manage packaging claims received from internal and external customers.
• Analyze market structure, trends, technical developments, and regulatory trends that impact competitiveness and/or affect availability and delivered cost of materials and services.
• Develop and recommend short- and long-term procurement strategies aimed at meeting BU/GF technical goods requirements.
• Coordinate strategies within GPL regionally or globally to enhance corporate buying power and lead the effective implementation of such strategies.
• Lead and/or actively participate in regional and global task forces, and interdisciplinary project groups responsible for devising strategies and optimizing performance in procurement related areas.
• Communicate plans and roll-out new supplier programs to fully implement procurement strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Packaging Engineering preferred), Business or comparable production and packaging design experience.
• 5-10 years of relevant industrial packaging experience or an Engineering Degree with 5 years of relevant industrial packaging experience.
• Ability to establish relationships and understand requirements of various plant sites involved.  Duration of travel will fluctuate.  
• Knowledge of basic chemical plants, packaging manufacturers (of corrugated boxes, FIBC, CIBC, Drums –steel/plastic etc.) and of the major factors that influence commodity markets and prices is preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements pertaining to DOT and Industrial Packaging.
• The ability to influence and persuade individuals at all levels of the LXS organization to gain support for key procurement initiatives.
• Proven organizational skills to manage multiple projects and bids simultaneously, with minimal supervision.
• The ability to organize diverse information, analyze and resolve disputes, understand internal customer requirements, make independent decisions, and display strong interpersonal and communication skills with individuals at all levels of LXS and supplier organizations.
• Ability to perform as an individual contributor and work in global teams pertaining to packaging procurement.
• Strong analytical skills and matching skill level using Word, Power Point, Excel, SAP /ERP reports.
• Ability to present strategy documentation to senior management to get buy in for the strategy.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• This is a HYBRID role with the expectation to be on-site in the Pittsburgh office at least three days per week every week.