Category Manager Secondary Packaging

Position Job Title: Category Manager Secondary Packaging

BG and BU: Amcor Flexibles and RPSI EMEA

Function: Procurement

Location: Prague, Czech Republic

Line Manager’s Job Title: Senior Category Manager Secondary Packaging

Contract Length: Permanent

* Contract will be issued accordingly with legal requirements and legal entity of the hiring country

Accelerate the possible by joining a winning Amcor team that’s transforming the packaging industry and improving lives around the world.

At Amcor, we unpack possibility through our innovative and responsible packaging to provide solutions that benefit our customers, our people and our planet.  More than 10,000 consumers worldwide encounter our products every second and rely on us for safe access to food, medicine and other goods. We value their trust by making safety our guiding principle. It’s our core value and integral to how we do business.

Beyond this core principle, our shared values and behaviours unite us as we work together to elevate customers, shape lives and protect the future. We champion our customers and help them succeed. We play to win – adapting quickly in an everchanging world – and make smart choices to safeguard our business, our communities and the people we serve for generations to come. And we invest in our world-class team, empowering our colleagues to unpack their potential, because we believe when our people grow, so does our business

To learn more about playing for Team Amcor, visit www.amcor.com I LinkedIn I Glassdoor I Facebook I YouTube          

Job Purpose

We’re looking for a Category Manager for Pallets & Wooden Items, to lead sourcing strategy for all pallet types (wood, plastic, pooled systems) and wooden packaging (boxes, boards, components) across EMEA. The role focuses on standardization, supplier performance, simplification, and total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization while ensuring uninterrupted supply and supporting Amcor’s operational and sustainability priorities.

Working closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance and Sustainability teams, the category manager drives category excellence through multi‑year strategies, competitive tenders, and proactive supplier management.

The role includes leading complex, international, multi‑country tenders and negotiations, requiring strong expertise in coordinating cross‑border stakeholders and securing competitive, compliant, and sustainable solutions at regional scale.

Job Dimensions & Scope

Financial: Annual spend at around 50 million EUR for Pallets & Wooden Items

Process: Forward thinking up to 3 years

Scope & Geographical spread: EMEA

Principal Accountabilities

1. Strategy Development & Deployment

• Develop, update, and implement multi-year sourcing strategies for the category.
• Analyze market trends, competitive dynamics, and cost drivers to support decision-making.
• Lead standardization and harmonization initiatives across EMEA to optimize specifications and reduce complexity.
• Contribute to Amcor’s responsible sourcing and sustainability roadmap (circularity, CO₂ reduction, material reuse).

2. Results Achievement & Category Performance

• Lead competitive tenders, bids and negotiations to secure best‑in‑class cost, quality and service.
• Manage complex international tenders across multiple countries, ensuring alignment with local regulations, operational needs and Amcor’s global sourcing standards.
• Monitor and report savings, TCO improvements and working capital benefits.
• Identify key supply, market and operational risks and implement effective mitigation plans.
• Leverage EMEA scale and contribute to global sourcing initiatives to maximize value.
• Qualify alternative suppliers and materials to strengthen supply resilience and competitiveness.

3. Negotiation & Contract Management

• Select suppliers based on quality, performance, commercial and sustainability criteria.
• Manage end‑to‑end international RFQs/RFPs — from market scouting to final award — ensuring consistent methodology, transparent evaluation and strong governance across EMEA.
• Lead contractual negotiations in close collaboration with Legal and key internal stakeholders.
• Ensure full compliance with Amcor procurement processes and e‑sourcing tools.
• Monitor contract execution, supplier compliance and commercial performance throughout the lifecycle.

4. Supplier & Internal Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Coordinate multi‑country stakeholders to consolidate needs, align specifications and ensure a consistent tendering approach across the region.
• Build strong partnerships with strategic suppliers through the SRM program.
• Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality and Engineering to drive performance, service levels and technical improvements.
• Lead root‑cause analyses and support technical problem‑solving related to pallets and wooden packaging.
• Communicate supply issues, risks and impacts clearly to relevant stakeholders.
• Support the execution of projects and the implementation of category initiatives at site level.

5. Financial Planning & Forecasting

• Build and maintain accurate forecasts for category price developments and market movements.
• Contribute to budget preparation and ensure alignment of financial resources with strategy and priorities.
• Identify opportunities for cost and cash improvements through long-term levers.

MAJOR CHALLENGES & COMPLEXITIES

• Managing a diverse supplier base across multiple countries and pallet/pooling systems.
• Balancing cost, service, sustainability, and operational requirements.
• Anticipating market price volatility in raw materials (wood, plastics).
• Leading transformation and standardization in a decentralized operational landscape. 

KEY INTERNAL & EXTERNAL INTERACTIONS

External:

• Pallet and wood packaging suppliers
• Pooling providers
• Industry networks and benchmarking groups 

Internal Relationships:

• Vice President Procurement
• Procurement Leadership Team
• Procurement Management Team (EMEA & Global Sourcing)
• Site Management
• Procurement Operations Teams
• Local/Site Procurement
• Legal Department
• Finance
• Sales & Marketing Functions

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Professional Experience

• 6+ years of relevant working experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supplier management on regional or EMEA level
• Experience working in a manufacturing or industrial environment preferred
• Proven experience managing international or multi-site tenders with suppliers across different European countries
• Strong expertise in negotiating with multinational suppliers, navigating diverse regulatory environments, and managing price structures across multiple geographies
• Experience with pooling systems (CHEP, TOSCA) is a strong advantage
• Proven ability to develop and implement sourcing strategies, conduct tenders and negotiate complex contracts
• Solid understanding of market analysis and cost drivers
• Experience working in cross-functional and international teams
• Knowledge of secondary packaging (in particular pallet and wooden packaging markets) would be an asset.

Education

• University degree (Procurement, Engineering, Business, Supply Chain or equivalent preferred)

Technical & Soft Skills

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and complex supplier relationships
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent project management and prioritization abilities.
• Proficiency with e-sourcing tools and procurement platforms.
• Data-driven, structured, and results-oriented mindset.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to team goals.
• High commercial acumen and continuous improvement mindset. 

Languages

• English: Fluency required
• Additional European languages (French, German, Italian or Spanish) would be a strong asset.