Sr. Manager, Operations Strategy

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.

This is a hybrid position with 3 days a week in our Lake Forest, IL office.

Key Responsibilities:

This role will execute the modeling and analytical work required to optimize the enterprise end-to-end network for cost efficiency, service performance, scalability, and sustained competitiveness. It supports network strategy development, advanced modeling, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring the organization makes well-supported, financially sound capital and expense decisions.

• Translate highly technical network architectures and complex data into clear, compelling narratives and strategic recommendations for leadership and key stakeholders.
• Facilitate cross-functional working groups to define strategic options, mitigate risks and deliver final, data driven recommendations.

• Build and leverage advanced statistical, mathematical and financial models to run scenario analyses, simulate network changes and optimize costs.
• Construct detailed, defensible business cases to support major capital projects, network redesign initiatives, and operational investments.

• Create and review capital and expense projections, including sensitivity analyses, multiyear forecasts, and scenario-based financial planning.
• Conduct hands-on network and cost analyses, partnering with Finance, Operations, Engineering and Procurement to build comprehensive total-cost and savings models that inform strategic recommendations.
• Analyze demand signals, operational constraints and market trends to identify bottlenecks and investment tradeoffs.

What We Need from You:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, finance, business, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in network optimization, supply chain strategy, transportation optimization, or a related analytical field.
• Expertise in network modeling tools preferred (e.g., Optilogic, Llamasoft, Coupa, Blue Yonder, Supply Chain Guru, or similar).
• Demonstrated ability to translate analytical findings into financial and strategic implications.
• Strong financial acumen, including capital and operating expense forecasting, ROI modeling, and cost-benefit analysis.
• Knowledge of optimization methods, simulation, and scenario modeling.
• Experience working in a complex, multi-facility, multi-node network environment.
• Excellent executive communication skills.

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $160-000 - $180,000 + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.

#INDSalaried

#LI-Hybrid

With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.

Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact [email protected].

Formerly Pactiv Evergreen