Tactical Category Specialist

From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive.

Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people. 

Reporting to the Category Manager, you will play a pivotal role in managing our trailer inventory while supporting strategic category specialists responsible for dedicated fleet, less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload, intermodal, and warehousing needs. This position is key to ensuring the seamless execution of category strategies and optimizing Sonoco’s logistics operations.

What You'll Do:

• Oversee and manage Sonoco’s trailer inventory, ensuring operational efficiency and adherence to corporate policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with plants, suppliers, and internal teams to execute category strategies and sourcing events for smaller spend areas.
• Provide critical support to strategic category specialists by analyzing supply chain needs and risks across transportation categories, including dedicated fleet, LTL, full truckload, intermodal, and warehousing.
• Persuade and influence internal customers to comply with purchasing policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Generate spend analysis reports and insights to guide decision-making and optimize operations.
• Address and resolve quality issues, supplier disputes, and supplier performance concerns.
• Develop category strategies and recommendations for smaller spend pools with a focus on trailer management.
• Identify and implement supplier accounts payable (AP) improvements and cost-saving initiatives.
• Assess and mitigate risks in the supply chain, ensuring stability and efficiency.
• Report monthly financial results using the reporting tools provided.
• Manage supplier add requests, supplier change requests, and overall supplier performance.

This position is located in our headquarters, Hartsville, SC.

What We’re Looking For:

• A 4-year degree or equivalent experience in supply chain management, logistics, business administration, or a related field.
• Ability to lead negotiations for low to medium complexity or low to medium impact spend areas.
• Proficiency in the use of Ariba, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage priorities and adapt to changing business needs.
• Experience in managing trailer inventory or transportation-related categories is highly preferred.

Compensation:

The annual base salary range for this role is from $53,440 to $60,120.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.