VP & Chief Procurement Officer (Atlanta)
At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities. With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful. If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you. A World of Difference. Made Possible. POSITION SUMMARY: The VP & Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) is responsible for developing and leading the enterprise-wide procurement strategy for $5B of Direct and Indirect spend at an $8 billion global packaging manufacturer. Hands-on expertise across both areas is required. Working knowledge of Supply Chain is a strong plus, given the nature of GPI business and adjacency to sourcing, logistics, and supply continuity, but is not a substitute for procurement depth. This role will build a world-class procurement organization responsible for optimizing the acquisition of direct materials, indirect goods and services, capital equipment, logistics, and strategic supplier partnerships while driving enterprise value, operational excellence, innovation, sustainability, and risk management. This role is responsible for creating the procurement operating model, organizational structure, governance framework, sourcing strategies, supplier management processes, and technology roadmap to transform procurement into a strategic competitive advantage. Initially, this role will report to the Transformation function to accelerate the design, integration, and maturation of the enterprise procurement function. As the procurement organization evolves, the role is expected to transition into the Finance organization as part of the company’s long‑term operating model. The VP & CPO will serve as a trusted strategic partner to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), working closely with executive leaders to influence enterprise decisions, align procurement strategy with business priorities, and provide regular updates on procurement performance, market dynamics, supply risk, and strategic initiatives. This role will partner closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, Commercial, Legal, Sustainability, and Information Technology leaders to ensure procurement strategies support the company’s long‑term business objectives, growth initiatives, and shareholder value creation. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Executive Leadership Develop and execute a comprehensive global procurement strategy aligned with the company’s strategic, financial, and operational priorities. Build, integrate and lead a high‑performing procurement organization capable of supporting a complex global manufacturing enterprise. Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and ELT on overall spend management, procurement, supply markets, supply continuity, inflation management, and enterprise risk. Procurement Strategy & Value Creation Develop sourcing strategies across all categories, including: Direct Materials Indirect Goods and Services Capital Equipment Manufacturing Services Logistics and Transportation Technology Professional Services Deliver sustainable value through cost optimization, total cost of ownership improvements, supplier innovation, demand management, and productivity initiatives. Develop enterprise-wide category management strategies that maximize leverage across the organization. Lead strategic negotiations involving complex commercial agreements with global suppliers. Organizational Development Design and implement the company’s procurement organization, including organizational structure, talent strategy, governance model, and operating processes. Develop and execute a multi‑year strategy to evolve today’s procurement structure into a fully integrated global procurement organization, incorporating procurement and purchasing teams across business units, functions, and geographies. Recruit, develop, and retain world‑class procurement professionals and future leaders. Establish performance metrics, career paths, succession planning, and continuous capability development. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Supplier Relationship Management Establish executive‑level relationships with key strategic suppliers. Develop supplier segmentation and governance models. Lead supplier performance management, business reviews, innovation partnerships, and continuous improvement initiatives. Ensure supplier performance aligns with quality, cost, delivery, sustainability, and service expectations. Enterprise Risk Management Develop procurement strategies that strengthen supply chain resiliency and business continuity. Identify and mitigate supplier, geopolitical, financial, operational, and regulatory risks. Ensure appropriate contingency planning and dual sourcing strategies where appropriate. Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Internal Audit to ensure ethical sourcing, regulatory compliance, and strong governance. Financial Leadership Own procurement savings targets and value creation objectives. Develop annual procurement operating plans and multi‑year strategic road maps. Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, capital planning, and inflation management. Drive working capital improvements through optimized supplier payment strategies and inventory collaboration. Digital Procurement Transformation Develop and execute the procurement technology roadmap. Champion procurement analytics, automation, AI‑enabled sourcing, contract lifecycle management, spend analytics, and supplier management technologies. Establish data‑driven decision making across procurement. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Cont'd) Sustainability & ESG Integrate sustainability objectives into sourcing strategies and supplier selection Partner with suppliers to improve environmental performance, responsible sourcing, and circular economy initiatives. Support enterprise ESG goals through procurement practices and supplier engagement. Governance & Compliance Establish procurement policies, delegation of authority, and enterprise purchasing standards. Ensure compliance with corporate governance, legal requirements, and internal controls. Standardize procurement processes across the enterprise while maintaining appropriate flexibility for business needs. Executive Influence Present procurement strategies, enterprise savings opportunities, market intelligence, and supply chain risks to the ELT and Board of Directors as appropriate. Provide regular strategic updates and recommendations to the ELT while partnering with executive sponsors to influence enterprise decision‑making and advance procurement transformation initiatives. Influence senior leaders across the enterprise to adopt best procurement practices. Represent the company with strategic suppliers, industry organizations, and external stakeholders. Leadership Responsibilities Build and lead a global procurement organization. Initially lead the existing North American procurement organization while establishing the vision, operating model, and roadmap for an integrated global procurement function. Lead a matrixed procurement organization and execute the long‑term vision to integrate procurement, sourcing, logistics procurement, and purchasing functions into a unified global operating model across North America and globally. Provide leadership through senior procurement leaders and category management teams. Create an inclusive, high‑performance culture focused on accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Drive cross‑functional collaboration across Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Finance, Legal, Information Technology, Commercial, and Sustainability. QUALIFICATIONS: Demonstrated success leading procurement transformation and building high‑performing procurement organizations. Fifteen or more years of progressive procurement and supply chain leadership experience within a complex global organization. Manufacturing or production environment is beneficial but not required. Executive leadership experience in a large multinational company; packaging, paper, consumer products, industrial manufacturing, chemicals, or related industries preferred. Proven experience managing large global spend portfolios and strategic supplier relationships. Strong financial acumen with demonstrated ability to deliv
