Category Manager, Packaging (Procurement)

Job Description
The Category Manager, Packaging is dedicated to supporting the Company's Global Packaging Strategy, activating retail support, and ensuring regional alignment. The role is collaborative and requires an individual who can take initiative, think openly, and operate creatively, while maintaining Tiffany's storied Packaging brand legacy. The role also requires an agile thinker and strong communicator who can navigate and work with various business functions across the company as needed to implement strategy.
The Category Manager will partner with our third party suppliers to drive operational efficiencies globally. The role will collaborate between Marketing and other business functions to meet strategy in a way that is consistent with global direction. They will be responsible for supporting new packaging briefs and related packaging development.
Key Accountabilities:
Business Support & Analysis

• Be central point of contact that owns packaging supplier vendor relationships and acts as a liaison between internal business partners and suppliers.
• Leads SOP's and ensure information provided to packaging suppliers is detailed, accurate, and complete and holds suppliers accountable to provide the same.
• Evaluate opportunities for increased efficiency via external partners and improved internal processes
• Run the monthly forecast communication of unplanned usage and growth trends while reviewing and supervising suppliers orders.
• Review and monitor standard monthly packaging supplier vendor reporting and KPIs.
• Develop a deep knowledge of the packaging category, competitors, trends, regional variations, emerging innovations, and consumer insights.
• Use packaging category expertise and uniquely cross-functional perspective to develop innovative and entrepreneurial recommendations for packaging business growth and development.
• Identify and work effectively with external partners, as relevant, to further packaging strategy.

Communication

• Work with all cross-functional packaging stakeholders at Tiffany and act as a central point of contact for all packaging related corporate requests, inquiries, and issues related to suppliers.
• With Marketing, Merchandising, Distribution and others on new packaging requirements
• With Quality Auditor and Quality Assurance on any vendor related standard non-conformances, quality issues, rejects, engineering changes, redesigns, and sample testing.
• With suppliers regarding new product development.
• With Trademark Enforcement group to assist in identifying counterfeit packaging shipments.
• With Business Continuity team on business continuity plan related to the packaging vendor base.
• With Packaging Analyst to support area as needed.
• With Director on vendor related issues and updates.

Project Management & Support

• Lead new packaging initiatives by working with GP Sourcing Analyst on RFQs/RFPs, handle development process with internal collaborators and GP, acquire demand and communicate to suppliers.
• Run all packaging related projects through the phases of development.
• Establish project milestones by management and maintenance of a new product development tracker.
• Plan annual tooling CER budget.
• Engage packaging partners with new project initiatives and creating technical specification packs where needed.

Social Accountability Program/CSR

• Implement annual deforestation questionnaire.
• Research and seek out additional CSR opportunities to incorporate into packaging product assortment and collaborate with Assistant Manager on CSR initiatives.
• Liaise with Social Responsibility team on behalf of packaging vendors.
• Schedule audits and follow-up on pertinent CAPs.

Staff Development
*Support Director with execution of department and cross functional initiatives *Manage staff, provide direction to prioritize their projects, ensure project and presentation accuracy, develop staff for future growth

• Prepare staff evaluations, mentor staff through one-on-one meetings, follow company guidelines and PMP timeline
• Ensure staff integration of new systems and processes.
• Build personal and professional development through intensive training opportunities i.e. regular feedback sessions with staff and management

The hiring range for this position ranges from $117,810 - $166,320. The rate of pay offered will be dependent upon candidates' relevant skills and experience. Management is also eligible for bonus.
Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years related experience in packaging
• Bachelor's degree
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Extensive knowledge of environmentally responsible materials used in good packaging, ideally in the luxury space
• Proficient computer skills in MS Office; Microsoft Project experience or equivalent is a plus
• Strong problem solving skills
• Strong statistical and analytical skills
• Strong project management and organizational skills required to implement multiple projects in a timely manner to meet required deadlines
• Ability to interact with varying levels of management in cross-functional teams
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas, concepts and procedures to all levels within the organization
• Ability to set own priorities and to work independently and optimally in a team environment
• Familiarity with standard concepts, practices and procedures within luxury goods packaging

Preferred Qualifications:

• Packaging development experience
• Project Management certification