Title:  Senior Manager, Logistics Procurement

At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.

With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.

A World of Difference. Made Possible.

Overview

The Senior Manager, Logistics Procurement oversees the sourcing, negotiation, and performance management of all over-the-road transportation supporting a paper and packaging supply chain. This includes truckload, dedicated fleet operations, and LTL services that move paperboard, recycled fiber, and finished goods to customers across regional and national networks tied to paperboard manufacturing operations, converting plants, distribution centers, and customer delivery requirements. This role manages a total annual budget of $320M across 250,000 shipments per year. This role also leads teams responsible for carrier performance management and freight payables, ensuring end-to-end accountability for cost, service, and financial accuracy. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in trucking markets, paperboard manufacturing logistics, converting operations, and the unique cost-to-serve dynamics of the paper and packaging industry.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a logistics procurement strategy that supports paperboard manufacturing operations, converting plants, distribution centers, and customer delivery requirements.
• Align transportation sourcing with production planning, inventory strategies, and network optimization initiatives across paperboard manufacturing and converting facilities.
• Monitor industry trends such as trucking capacity cycles, fuel volatility, sustainability regulations, and customer expectations for service transparency.

Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Lead sourcing for truckload, dedicated fleet, and LTL transportation services.
• Manage relationships with carriers, dedicated fleet providers, and 3PLs to ensure reliable inbound and outbound service for paperboard manufacturing sites and converting plants.
• Negotiate contracts that balance cost, service, and flexibility, especially during peak production cycles or market disruptions.
• Establish KPIs tailored to over-the-road transportation (on-time pickup/delivery, dwell time, tender acceptance, damage rates, etc.).
• Oversee carrier scorecarding, quarterly business reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Cost Optimization & Risk Management

• Drive cost-reduction initiatives through lane optimization, dedicated fleet design, backhaul programs, and long-term carrier partnerships.
• Mitigate risks related to trucking capacity shortages, weather-related disruptions, and seasonal fiber availability.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements related to over-the-road transportation and hazardous materials where applicable.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Corporate Logistics Operations, Paperboard Manufacturing Operations, Converting Operations, Supply Chain Planning, Customer Service, and Sales to forecast transportation needs and support customer-specific delivery requirements.
• Work closely with Sustainability teams to advance initiatives such as carbon-reduction strategies, optimized routing, and greener transportation solutions.
• Collaborate with Finance to validate savings, manage freight budgets, and support cost-to-serve analysis for key customers.
• Coordinate with Accounts Payable and Finance teams to ensure accurate, timely freight invoice processing and resolution of discrepancies.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a team responsible for logistics procurement, carrier performance management, and freight payables.
• Ensure seamless integration between sourcing decisions, carrier performance monitoring, and freight invoice accuracy.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, and proactive supplier engagement.
• Build organizational capability in logistics procurement best practices tailored to the paper and packaging sector.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Logistics, or related field.
• 8–12+ years of logistics procurement or transportation management experience, ideally within paper, packaging, manufacturing, CPG, retail or other like industries
• Strong negotiation experience with truckload, dedicated fleet, and LTL carriers.
• Experience overseeing carrier performance programs and/or freight audit and pay processes.
• Deep understanding of paperboard manufacturing logistics, converting operations, and over-the-road freight cost drivers.
• Proven ability to manage complex, high-volume transportation networks with tight service requirements.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.

Preferred

• Familiarity with sustainability reporting, carbon-tracking tools, or green logistics initiatives.
• Advanced degree or certifications (CPSM, CSCP, CTL).
• Experience with TMS platforms, freight audit & pay systems, and procurement analytics tools (Jaggaer)

Success Profile

• Operationally grounded, with a strong understanding of paperboard manufacturing, converting operations, and trucking market dynamics.
• Commercially sharp, able to navigate volatile transportation markets and negotiate competitive agreements.
• Data-driven, using analytics to optimize freight spend, improve service, and ensure invoice accuracy.
• Collaborative, working seamlessly with paperboard manufacturing sites, converting plants, distribution centers, Finance, and customer-facing teams.
• Resilient, capable of managing disruptions such as weather events, capacity shortages, and supply-demand imbalances.

#LI-Hybrid

Pay Range:   $129,400.00 - $172,600.00

Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process.  We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.  Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email accommodations@graphicpkg.com. 

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