Strategic Procurement Specialist – OEM

About Us:

BW Packaging is driving performance at the intersection of people, technology, and customer care. As part of the privately held Barry-Wehmiller family, we unite a global team of packaging experts with a clear purpose: People Who Care, Building Solutions that Perform. We take on our customers’ toughest challenges as our own — delivering both innovative and enduring solutions that set the standard for value and performance. Our strength comes from our people and the power of our brands — trusted names in packaging that are known worldwide for engineering excellence, application expertise, and lifetime commitment to customer success. Truly Human Leadership guides our belief that exceptional business results and profound respect for people together provide the foundation of enduring success. We are committed to forging lasting partnerships with our customers, earning their trust through integrity, expertise, and execution. With our full range of packaging solutions and long term partnership and service, we help customers achieve operational excellence today while building the future of packaging together.

Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.

Job Description:

Business Title: Strategic Sourcing Specialist – OEM

• Reports To: Senior Director, Global Commercial Solutions – A&I
• Location: Romeoville, IL, Lynchburg, VA, or Akron, OH

Travel: Up to 20% as needed to OEM manufacturing sites, other BW Packaging facilities, and client sites

Position Summary

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist – OEM develops and executes sourcing strategies for equipment and products acquired and integrated into BW Packaging Systems Automation and Integration projects. The role engages early in the opportunity cycle to evaluate OEM capabilities, align commercial and contractual terms before an order is placed, and partner across Packaging, including Project Management, Applications, Sales, Finance, and Field Service, to ensure business goals and customer commitments are met.

The Strategic Procurement Specialist - OEM also maintains strategic relationships with OEM partners while monitoring project timelines, supplier performance, margin objectives, and future OEM operational needs. Also responsible for onboarding of new suppliers, managing MSA’s and aligning commercial agreements, this role balances financial performance with disciplined order execution and customer trust.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Sourcing & Commercial Management

Develop sourcing strategies for OEM equipment and services that balance total cost, quality, technical capability, delivery, service support, and supply risk.

Negotiate supplier contracts, including pricing, payment terms, delivery, freight, and penalty clauses.

Partner with the Applications team to obtain supplier quotations, cost information, and delivery commitments, engaging early before suppliers are incorporated into opportunities.

Serve as the primary liaison between Packaging’s Automation and Integration team and suppliers throughout the order process.

Understand company financial and margin objectives and obtain appropriate purchase order approvals in accordance with established guidelines.

Maintain a disciplined approach to cash flow by aligning supplier commitments with customer contract terms and conditions.

Purchase Order & Order Execution

Analyze system-generated and manual requirements to ensure timely placement of purchase orders for goods and services.

Create and manage purchase orders using the ERP planning system.

Expedite existing purchase orders as needed.

Monitor product supply against schedule and maintain visibility with Project Managers and other functional teams through backlog reviews.

Understand and coordinate the logistical needs of the division and OEM suppliers.

Supplier Performance, Quality & Accountability

Hold suppliers accountable for commitments that align with customer expectations for each order.

Drive continuous improvement with suppliers in lead-time reduction, schedule flexibility, quality, inventory reduction across the supply chain, and price reduction in partnership with Platform and divisional Strategic Sourcing teams.

Resolve pricing and receiving discrepancies with suppliers and coordinate with Accounts Payable to support appropriate cash-flow management, including approval of progress payments as objectives are achieved.

Partner with suppliers to identify the source of defective or unacceptable goods and implement corrective action.

Assist with capacity-management recommendations related to OEM buyouts.

Systems, Analytics & Continuous Improvement

Use manufacturing systems and processes related to work orders, inventory control, routings, bills of materials, material requirements planning (MRP), and enterprise resource planning (ERP).

Report key metrics, including supplier on-time delivery, financial and margin performance, supplier lead time, OEM shipments, and schedule attainment.

Apply strong analytical, problem-solving, team-building, strategic-planning, and change-management skills to improve OEM operations.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field required.

Five years of Purchasing, or Strategic Sourcing experience required, preferably within the Capital Equipment industry.

MRP and supply chain knowledge required.

Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong follow-through.

Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access required.

Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) certification desired.

Ability to travel to OEM manufacturing sites, other BW facilities, and client sites as needed.

The approximate pay range for this position is $90,000 - $115,000 (DOE). Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location of the position.

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At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process. ​

Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.

Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.

Company:

BW Packaging