Specialist, Procurement

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Support mill priorities for Safety, Environment, Quality, and Operational Excellence
• Lead procurement for assigned categories (chemicals, MRO, parts, services)
• Drive cost savings through sourcing, negotiations, and supplier optimization
• Execute RFPs, analyze bids, and award business based on best value
• Optimize inventory levels using VMI, consignment, and demand planning strategies
• Reduce excess and obsolete inventory while ensuring supply continuity
• Manage supplier relationships, contracts, and performance
• Resolve supplier issues and mitigate supply risks, including alternate sourcing
• Process and manage requisitions, purchase orders, and change orders
• Use data analytics to identify savings opportunities and improve procurement performance
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across cost, process, and supply chain efficiency

Career Opportunity

The Procurement Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring supply continuity while balancing cost efficiency and inventory optimization. This role partners closely with mill personnel, suppliers, and corporate procurement teams to deliver both operational reliability and financial performance improvements.

How you will impact WestRock

• Monitor and work with operations to ensure chemical inventories and purchase orders support production needs
• Work with primary and alternate suppliers to ensure delivery, expedite and solve supply chain challenges
• Lead Request For Proposals (RFP) and review of competitive proposals from suppliers for award decisions
• Read, analyze and uphold supplier contracts - including payment terms, warranty, freight terms and other terms as needed.
• Manage MRO vendors to include our Vendor Managed Inventory, Consignment Programs and onsite vending services
• Point of contact for escalation and primary negotiator to resolve mill issues with service providers
• Lead continuous improvement to drive meaningful changes in process, supplier or material to deliver value beyond price
• Process purchase requisitions, purchase orders and change orders to secure products and/or services as required.
• Evaluate, and implement orders where needed.
• Coincide with internal and external customers regarding purchase requirements following corporate procurement guidelines.
• Compile data for mill and corporate reports as requested.

What you Need to Succeed

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; 2-5 years of procurement or supply chain experience
• Proven ability to drive cost savings and manage supplier negotiations
• Strong understanding of inventory management and supply chain principles
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to interpret data and make decisions
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and execute independently
• Experience with sourcing tools (e.g., Ariba) and ERP systems
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) and data tools (Power BI); familiarity with AI tools is a plus
• Strong project management and execution capabilities