Packaging Procurement Director – North America & Global Rigids Lead

Earlier this year, Unilever announced an agreement to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Company, creating a scaled global flavor powerhouse. The proposed combination would bring together iconic Foods brands, including Hellmann’s and Knorr, with McCormick’s portfolio to create a global leader across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by strong retail and foodservice platforms. McCormick brings more than 135 years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion estimated for mid-2027. 

JOB PURPOSE 

This role exists to lead the North America Packaging Procurement organization and the global Rigids portfolio, shaping and delivering strategies across an indicative managed spend of approximately €600+ million. The role defines the global Rigids strategy — what, where, how and when to buy — combining global scale, market requirements, supplier capability, technology, cost models and value-chain insight while owning North America packaging performance across value, service, quality, resilience, innovation, sustainability, cash and working capital. Working with R&D, Supply Chain, Finance, Legal, Sustainability, business and market leadership and strategic suppliers, the role enables portfolio value, circularity, supplier innovation, business partnership and strong regional and global packaging capability. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Lead, develop and empower the North America Packaging and Global Rigids Procurement organization of nine FTEs, including this Director role, with four WL2 Managers reporting directly to the Director and four WL1 Assistant Managers reporting through those Managers, responsible for approximately €600+ million managed spend. 

• Define the global Rigids strategy by combining global scale, market requirements, supplier capability, technology, cost models and value-chain insight. 

• Own end-to-end North America packaging procurement performance across value, service, quality, resilience, innovation, sustainability, cash and working capital. 

• Translate global portfolio direction into North America sourcing and business plans, ensuring timely execution of innovations, supplier transitions and strategic initiatives. 

• Build strategic supplier ecosystems and value-driven agreements, setting joint innovation roadmaps and performance governance across cost, service, quality, capacity, resilience and sustainability. 

• Create a multi-year value, circularity and innovation pipeline through sourcing, resin and conversion cost transparency, specification harmonization, complexity reduction, recycled content, design for recyclability and lower-impact materials. 

• Build a high-performing, inclusive regional and global organization, setting clear accountabilities and developing capability, engagement and succession pipelines. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• University degree with extensive senior procurement or supply-management experience in packaging within a large, complex multinational organization, preferably FMCG or manufacturing. 

• Demonstrated success defining and executing regional and global category strategies and delivering substantial value, cash, resilience and supplier-performance outcomes, with experience operating at comparable spend and organizational scale. 

• Deep understanding of rigid-packaging value chains, injection molding, resins, recycled materials, packaging technologies, supplier economics and circularity opportunities. 

• Strong commercial, financial, negotiation and contracting expertise, including cost modelling, price forecasting, complex agreements and portfolio risk management. 

• Strong executive stakeholder engagement and proven leadership of regional, global, virtual and cross-cultural teams, with capability-building and succession-management experience. 

• Enterprise leadership mindset, with the ability to set clear priorities, lead through ambiguity and packaging-market volatility, balance strategic thinking with execution, build trusted senior stakeholder relationships and develop high-performing procurement talent.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Relevant postgraduate qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain, Packaging, Business or a related discipline. 

• Experience creating strategic supplier partnerships or leading innovation, footprint, harmonization, transition or change programs across geographies. 

• Exposure to recycled-content, design-for-recyclability, lower-impact materials, regulatory readiness or circular packaging initiatives. 

Pay: The pay range for this position is $227,700 to $398,475 Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.  

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.  

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.  

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents  

We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.  

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner. 

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At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.