Director of Procurement & Materials Management

AJM Packaging Corporation, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of paper products, is seeking an exceptionally talented professional to lead its Procurement and Strategic Sourcing functions. The successful candidate will possess a confident demeanor, a “can do” attitude, unrelenting drive, and an innate ability to command respect and lead.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the COO, the Director of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing will oversee Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Performance, Contract Management, and related personnel and activities. The role is accountable for purchasing performance, supplier development, cost reduction, supply continuity, and procurement-related operational excellence across all AJM facilities.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, manage, and direct all Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, and Supplier Management activities and personnel.
• Provide executive oversight, negotiation, and approval of strategic supplier agreements, NDAs, paper and paperboard supply contracts, major capital equipment purchases, and other critical sourcing initiatives.
• Establish strategic direction for the department and align daily activities with company goals and objectives.
• Set departmental staffing levels, develop and approve budgets and KPIs (cost savings, purchase price variance, supplier quality, on-time delivery, contract compliance, and procurement performance metrics).
• Interview, hire, and train corporate-level staff and local management; establish performance goals and participate in annual reviews, promotions, demotions, transfers, raises, and disciplinary actions.
• Evaluate and assess operational and administrative processes; identify, document, and adopt best practices in alignment with ISO Management Standards.
• Aggregate and leverage company spend across all departments and locations to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO), improve supplier performance, and mitigate supply chain risk.
• Develop and execute Vendor Agreements; ensure compliance using vendor scorecards, factory visits, audits, random testing, and customer feedback.
• Monitor supplier financial stability, capacity, quality, service, and business continuity risk to proactively address potential disruptions.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with key “Bill of Materials” (BOM), “Maintenance, Repair & Operations” (MRO), and “Capital Equipment” vendors to shield the supply chain from disruptions.
• Create contingency sourcing strategies, secondary supplier networks, and supply continuity plans for critical commodities and services.
• Develop, communicate, and track continuous improvement goals for suppliers; provide feedback and rehabilitate or replace underperforming vendors as needed.
• Implement a clear, concise, and transparent sourcing process, including RFI/RFP templates, alternative bid mechanisms, feedback, negotiating strategies, and award criteria.
• Maintain knowledge of purchased products, including key ingredients, cost drivers, industry trends, and market factors (commodity markets, tariffs, freight costs) to inform sourcing strategy.
• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, Sales, Warehousing, Materials Management, and Logistics to support supply continuity and issue resolution without assuming ownership of warehousing or materials management.
• Support new product development and special projects; source manufacturing equipment, BOM inputs, and supplies; develop product specifications and cost estimates.
• Develop and maintain procurement dashboards and reporting systems to monitor purchasing performance, cost savings, supplier performance, quality, contract compliance, and sourcing initiatives.
• Implement strategic sourcing strategies for paper, paperboard, packaging materials, inks, coatings, chemicals, MRO supplies, transportation services, and capital equipment.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts for ERP procurement modules, sourcing processes, supplier performance programs, purchasing workflows, and reporting capabilities.
• Support new business initiatives, acquisitions, capacity expansions, and plant start-ups through sourcing expertise and procurement execution.

This role does not include accountability for warehouse management, inventory control, demand planning, inventory turns, inventory accuracy, or materials management personnel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field (or equivalent combination of experience and education).
• 12–15 years of progressive experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Contract Management, Supplier Management, and logistics, including at least four years in management.
• Experience in fast-paced, high-volume production environments (paper converting or similar experience is a plus).
• Strong management, leadership, organizational, and administrative skills; ability to multitask and remain calm under pressure.
• Advanced Microsoft Office 365 skills; experience with ERP procurement modules, sourcing tools, procurement analytics, and supplier performance reporting systems preferred.
• Adept at root cause analysis with strong problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on management style with the ability to effectively communicate, relate to, and motivate employees.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and optical insurance (BCBS).
• Life insurance and short- & long-term disability insurance.
• Cafeteria Benefits Plan and Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA).
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Child & Dependent Care Savings Account.
• 401K Retirement Plan with Safe Harbor Company Match.
• Tuition Assistance and Employee Assistance/Wellness Program.
• Paid vacations, holidays, sick time, and personal time.
• Professional Development Program (AJM University).

About Us

AJM Packaging Corporation, founded by three Detroit-area brothers, began as a distributor of commercial paper, plastic, and foil packaging products. In 1957, the company transitioned into manufacturing and has since grown into a major paper products manufacturer with nearly 3,000 employees and 13 facilities across the U.S. AJM remains family-owned and operated, committed to its customers, employees, and the entrepreneurial spirit that has driven its success for over 75 years.

Career Development

AJM invests millions annually in employee development through classroom and on-the-job training, in-house programs, and tuition reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate studies. There are no barriers to advancement—employees control their own career growth.

For more information, visit www.ajmpack.com.