Packaging Category Manager
Jacksonville, FL | Onsite

We are seeking a Packaging Category Manager to lead the strategy and commercial performance of a growing packaging product category.

This is not a traditional purchasing or buyer role. The Category Manager will serve as the strategic owner of the category, helping determine what products to sell, which suppliers to prioritize, how to improve margins, what inventory to stock, and where new sourcing and growth opportunities exist.

The ideal candidate has experience in category management, strategic sourcing, supplier management, product management, procurement, or wholesale distribution and is comfortable working across Sales, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Finance, and supplier partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the overall category strategy for Packaging

• Manage supplier strategy, relationships, and preferred supplier programs

• Negotiate supplier pricing, cost changes, rebates, and strategic agreements

• Analyze category sales, gross margin, profitability, supplier performance, inventory turns, and SKU productivity

• Identify opportunities to improve margin, reduce costs, and grow category revenue

• Evaluate product assortment and identify new products, substitutions, and alternative sourcing opportunities

• Support pricing guidance and profitability expectations

• Partner with Sales on customer sourcing requests, product alternatives, and new opportunities

• Evaluate customer-specific inventory requirements and associated profitability and risk

• Partner with Purchasing on supplier performance, lead times, fill rates, backorders, and supply disruptions

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, customer demand, and supplier developments

• Develop strategies for underperforming products, suppliers, and inventory

• Identify and qualify alternative suppliers to improve competitiveness and reduce supply-chain risk

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience

• Experience in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, product management, supply chain, or a related field

• Strong supplier negotiation and vendor-management skills

• Experience analyzing pricing, costs, margins, inventory, and supplier performance

• Strong Excel and analytical skills

• Experience working with ERP, planning, or business-intelligence systems

• Ability to work cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, Purchasing, and Supply Chain

• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills

Preferred Experience

Experience within packaging, paper, wholesale distribution, industrial products, or another physical-product category is highly desirable but not required.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone currently in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, or product management who is ready to take broader ownership of supplier strategy, product portfolio decisions, margin performance, and category growth.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply or reach out directly for additional details.

Ascendo is a certified minority owned staffing firm, and we welcome and celebrate diversity. Ascendo is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Contact information

Amy Smith