Category Manager (West Dundee)

LHH Recruitment Solutions has partnered with a growing organization, and they are seeking a motivated Category Manager – Corrugated Packaging to join their team. This is a high-impact procurement role for someone who thrives in a data-driven environment and enjoys owning category strategy, supplier relationships, and cost optimization initiatives at a national level. This opportunity is ideal for a procurement professional who has hands-on purchasing experience within corrugated boxes and packaging, is highly proficient in Excel, and is ready to step into a visible role supporting business-critical supply chain initiatives.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out:

• High visibility within the procurement and supply chain organization.
• Opportunity to influence national sourcing strategy within a stable, growing company.
• Autonomy to make meaningful business decisions while partnering with senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own and execute domestic sourcing strategies for corrugated packaging categories, with full accountability for supplier performance, cost management, and continuity of supply.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships across multiple U.S. regions, ensuring compliance with service, quality, and commercial expectations.
• Lead sourcing initiatives including RFPs, negotiations, and contract execution to achieve measurable cost savings and value creation.
• Analyze spend data, market trends, and category intelligence to inform purchasing and sourcing decisions.
• Partner cross-functionally with operations, logistics, and internal stakeholders to align procurement strategies with business needs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on procurement efficiency, supplier optimization, and process standardization.
• Maintain accurate item setup, pricing, supplier assignments, and minimum order quantities across a large SKU portfolio.
• Support and mentor sourcing resources as applicable, fostering collaboration and accountability.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field.
• 4+ years of progressive experience in purchasing or procurement.
• Mandatory experience sourcing corrugated boxes / corrugated packaging.
• Strong proficiency in Excel, including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUPs.
• Proven ability to analyze spend data and translate insights into actionable sourcing strategies.
• Solid understanding of supply chain, distribution, and inventory management principles.
• Brings an established network within the corrugated packaging supplier community.
• Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
• Analytical, detail-oriented, and confident presenting data-driven recommendations.
• Strong communicator who can influence both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Motivated by ownership, accountability, and measurable impact.

Compensation Range: $100,000 - $120,000 + 15% Bonus

Benefits Offered: 2 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave where applicable by state law, Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance Vision Insurance, 401K, and Life Insurance.

If you are a passionate Category Manager looking for a new and rewarding career, please apply today! You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity!

LHH is a leader in permanent recruitment—and in the placement of top talent. Our areas of specialty include office administration, customer service, human resources, engineering, and supply chain and logistics. Please feel free to check us out and apply for other opportunities if this role isn’t a perfect match.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit