Area Manager, Operational Procurement - NE Region

Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE : SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose : Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability and excellence, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward.

The opportunity :

The Area Manager, Operational Procurement, will manage the purchasing functions within an assigned region and provide leadership to procurement and storeroom personnel. This role will focus on overseeing daily procurement operations, driving supplier performance, ensuring cost effective purchasing, and aligning procurement practices with overall business goals. Additionally, the individual will bring deep knowledge of procurement in a manufacturing setting and requires a balance of operational execution and stakeholder collaboration, with a strong focus on continuous improvement and compliance.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock :

• Ensure compliance with all safety, purchasing, stores, and environmental policies and procedures.
• Lead and manage the procurement resources within the assigned region, ensuring accountability, cross training, and succession planning. Provide coaching, mentoring, and training to assigned team members to support talent development.
• Manage procurement of direct and indirect spend categories relevant to the operating locations within the assigned regions, including raw materials, maintenance items, general supplies, and equipment.
• Ensure consistent quality for goods and services acting as the point of contact for escalation and primary negotiator to resolve issues with goods and service providers in coordination with other functional areas.
• Lead continuous improvement to drive meaningful changes in process, supplier or material to deliver value beyond price.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a commodity inventory strategy that supports the company’s supply chain vision and operational reliability.
• Drive value-adding competitive bidding processes, analyze proposals, and recommend award to suppliers that provide the best value at the lowest cost.
• Work closely with Quality to address any supplier quality or warranty issues and enforce the Terms & Conditions of agreements, ensuring the recovery of costs where applicable.
• Ensure alignment with strategic category strategies while adapting to regional / site-specific needs.
• Recommend and implement improvements to maximize productivity, quality, and efficiency while minimizing total cost of ownership.
• Lead through influence to drive implementation of sourcing strategies and ensure the realization of implemented savings.
• Collaborate with plant general managers, maintenance leads, and strategic sourcing teams to understand demand, resolve supply issues, and support production continuity.
• Partner with legal team, contract team and suppliers to finalize contracts and ensure proper governance over negotiated terms.
• Drive accountability of team members and stakeholders to ensure procurement processes and policies are followed and ensure efficiency in execution.
• Support procurement-related ERP processes and ensure data accuracy and system utilization.

Results Orientated & Accountability

Communication & Influence

Customer & Team Focus

Leadership & Initiative

Strategic Thinking & Technical Expertise

What you need to succeed :

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. The salary range for this position is $130,500.00 - $217,500.00, depending on your role, level, and location. The range listed is also the expected pay for roles in Illinois and Colorado. The benefits for this role include short-term bonus incentive, health, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and paid sick leave as required by applicable state / local law, 10 days of paid vacation, and 11 days of paid holidays, subject to annual change. Your pay will be based on factors such as your skills, experience, and education. To learn more about this posting, please contact your recruiter during the hiring process. You may apply online at and the application window is expected to close by 18-Nov-2025.