Job Description

What if you were given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference? At International Paper, you control your destiny. We offer challenging assignments and total rewards in countries around the world. When we say infinite possibilities, we mean it. Apply now and join a community that improves people’s lives, the planet and our company’s performance by transforming renewable resources into products people depend on every day.

Position Title:

Category Manager

Pay Rate :

$75,800 - $101,000

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Variable pay may provide additional opportunities for financial awards. This job is eligible to participate in IP’s short–term incentive plan.

Category/Shift :

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location :

Corporate Headquarters

6400 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38197

The Job You Will Perform:

This position is responsible for sourcing and managing category commitments of up to $100MM annual spend for MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations) materials. Annual cost savings and negotiated TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) values are two key criteria for success. This position contributes significantly to the profitability of International Paper by providing better performing, lower cost, and higher value materials and services. Skills in dealing with ambiguity and conflict management are required for success. Business acumen, market knowledge, and technical aptitude play an important part in everyday activities. Successful candidates will be self-motivated and be a resource for others in the organization. This position will reside in Memphis, TN and will report to the Senior Manager Containerboard MRO and Procurement Operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Own all aspects of managing assigned MRO product categories, which includes sourcing strategy, supplier selection, negotiation, contract development, agreement implementation, contract compliance, and managing the ongoing stakeholder and supplier relationships.
• Understand the competitive forces in North American and global markets to more clearly determine the impact on material costs and to develop and implement an effective supply sourcing strategy. Continually follow the supply chain, industry conditions, supply base, and products used across IP business operations, to execute buying strategies. C ontinually and proactively, follow changes in the market dynamics.
• Lead teams to carry out the Global Sourcing, Strategic Sourcing process that will engage internal stakeholders, identify sources of supply, evaluate buy channels, develop the sourcing strategy, analyze supplier proposals, negotiate improved value in categories, award business to valued suppliers, successfully implement contracts and manage stakeholder and supplier relationships. Through this process, maximize the value for International Paper, with regards to safety, reliability, cost, quality, delivery, and service levels.
• Establish contracts for materials and services in accordance with corporate policies. Monitor contracts so they remain current to ensure IP’s leverage is maximized. Drive contract compliance by suppliers and IP's operating facilities.
• Maintain product price control, lead supplier Quarterly Business Reviews, and manage contracts to ensure on-going supportive supplier relationships.
• Achieve overall value through working jointly with facilities to reduce costs, which may include process changes, supply changes, material changes, inventory targets or other operational changes. Continually pursuing opportunities with tenacity and understanding and addressing resistance encountered is essential to attaining the full value potential of a sourcing event.
• The incumbent must gain the cooperation of a large number of operational and corporate stakeholders, including mill purchasing managers, stores supervisors, facility managers, maintenance and reliability managers, controllers, corporate Technology and Reliability leaders, among others, to reach consensus regarding materials and service preferences to leverage IP’s combined requirements.
• Provide information to Company Leadership, business groups, Corporate Technology, and facilities, to assist in budgets and/or project estimates. This information may include market conditions, pricing, historical spend and forecasting.
• Develop and send timely and clear communications to IP facilities, regarding category awards (including contract summary and details), price updates, market conditions, resolution of issues, key contacts, communication of changes, etc., is essential.
• Help to develop other team members.
• Work with IP's Corporate Technology & Reliability to understand and ensure only quality/reliable products are procured. Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers, facilities, technology, sustainability, and internal and external business representatives that may influence competitive forces and facilitate communications regarding industry developments and their impact on our business.
• Communicate and collaborate with suppliers in the area of Sustainability. Do this through communication of our Third Party Code of Conduct and IP's Sustainability Strategy, as well as by understanding current suppliers' sustainability risks and opportunities. Investigate new suppliers and products that drive sustainability. Seek to gather data on suppliers' GHG impact and GHG reduction strategy.

• Participate in implementing system wide process improvements.

• Responsible for additional tactical tasks including (but not limited to) upkeep of contract database, meeting all audit touchpoints, sustainability documentation, managing and uploading current pricing, addressing and resolving supply or pricing issues, etc.

• Utilize, where applicable, the following required software programs: SAP, SAP BW, P2P Ariba, SharePoint, Power Bi, Teams, Sievo, and Microsoft 365 applications: Excel, Word, Power Point and Access.
• Integrity, trust and an ethical business mindset are critical and must be maintained at all times.

Key Competencies Required:

• Customer Focus
• Action Oriented
• Drives Results
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Manages Ambiguity
• Decision Quality
• Manages Complexity
• Interpersonal Savvy

The Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge You Will Bring:

• Established leadership and team collaboration skills
• Intellectual curiosity, drive to proactively study and uncover ideas, and constantly push for improvement.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze and present complex data in writing and orally.
• Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills is essential.
• Experience in the purchasing function, with increasing responsibility, with a minimum of 3 years is preferred.
• Experience in a corporate sourcing role utilizing IP’s strategic sourcing process is highly desired.
• Work experience at a manufacturing facility is preferred.
• Three to five years of pulp and paper industry experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of MRO products and services, with an understanding of basic product function, through experience or self-study is preferred.
• An undergraduate degree with a BS/BA, is required. The degree in the field of business management, supply chain, finance or engineering is preferable.

• Fluent computer skills with the ability to quickly and easily analyze data for timely, quality decision making is essential in Microsoft Office, SAP, SAP BW, SAP Ariba, and SharePoint .

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets. 

The Career You Will Build:

Sourcing and leadership training, promotional opportunities within a global company

The Impact You Will Make:

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP .

The Culture You Will Experience:

International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join:

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.
Memphis TN 38197

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