Strategic Sourcing Manager - Packaging
Lincoln Electric is a high-performance industrial machinery and technology leader who helps customers manufacture and maintain vital equipment and infrastructure. Lincoln Electric’s innovative solutions enable higher quality and productivity across a variety of processes including welding, cutting, brazing, machining, process automation, and field repair. The Company leverages proprietary technologies and expertise in materials science, power electronics, automation, and intelligent software to help customers build better and achieve resilience in their operations. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln Electric is the essential ‘Linc’ that keeps the economy running. The Company operates 71 manufacturing and automation facilities across 20 countries and serves customers in over 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric and its products and services, visit the Company’s website at https://www.lincolnelectric.com.
Location: Euclid - 22801
Employment Status: Salary Full-Time
Function: Supply Management/Purchasing
Pay Grade and Range: ASC060-M2 Min: $120,000.00- Med: $150,000.00
Bonus Plan: 15%
Role Summary
The Strategic Sourcing Manager - Packaging is responsible for development of sourcing strategies, supplier management, and savings initiatives within North and South America. This includes supplier relationship management, integration with business needs, and leading/participating in project initiatives that drive value to the businesses the role supports.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and own category strategies for packaging materials (e.g., corrugated, cartons, film, labels, fiber drums, pallets, closures) aligned with business and supply chain needs. Estimated $60M annually
- Lead America’s Packaging Team and work in close partnership with EMENA/APAC Packaging Teams.
- Build, develop, and ongoing management of packaging category team.
- Manage strategic sourcing activities including market analysis, RFx events, should‑cost and cost modeling, and supplier selection for packaging categories.
- Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and long‑term agreements to secure competitive total cost of ownership and mitigate risk.
- Build and manage a high‑performing supply base: qualify new suppliers, conduct performance reviews, and drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
- Partner with Packaging Engineering, Operations, and Quality to support new product development, packaging changes, and value‑engineering / lightweighting initiatives.
- Provide packaging market intelligence (price trends, capacity constraints, resin/pulp indices, regional supply risks) to business stakeholders and leadership.
- Drive cost savings and value creation projects (price reductions, spec harmonization, supplier consolidation, logistics optimization, sustainability upgrades) and track results against targets.
- Manage supplier selection (with input from global category council), supplier qualification, and performance tracking.
Experience & Core Skills
- Bachelor’s degree (Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering field).
- 6-10 years in sourcing or procurement, including ownership of mid-size spend categories.
- Strategic sourcing methodology and category strategy development.
- Proven experience running complex RFx’s and contract negotiations.
- Cross-functional collaboration with operations, legal, finance, R&D, commercial.
- ERP and eSourcing platform expertise (i.e: SAP Ariba, Jaggaer, Oracle, Zycus).
Preferred Attributes
- Certification in Supply Management (CPSM from ISM, APICS)
- Deep category knowledge (e.g. metals, packaging, and resin)
- Demonstrated success in cost savings, supplier consolidation, and innovative outcomes
- Familiarity with TCO modeling, Should-Cost, or Clean Sheet analysis
- Change Management or Lean/Six Sigma certification (e.g. Green Belt)
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Category-Level Cost Savings and Value Delivered
- % Spend with Preferred Suppliers and Contract Compliance
- Execution of Supplier Consolidation Roadmaps
- Supplier On-Time Delivery and Quality Scorecard Adherence
- Lead-Time Targets by Category (tracked quarterly)
Lincoln Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting equal employment opportunity for applicants, without regard to their race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to, lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
Nearest Major Market: Cleveland
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