W.F. Young, Inc., a global leader in animal health and the company behind Absorbine® and The Missing Link® brands, is hiring critical roles to support rapid growth and drive innovation as we enter our 134th year.
We are committed to enhancing the lives of companion animals and livestock through high-quality, innovative health and wellness products. Guided by our founders’ pioneering spirit, we strive to create unique solutions that meet unmet market needs, grow our product line organically, and uphold our mission to improve animal health worldwide. Our C.A.R.E Values foster a culture of creativity, continuous improvement, and speed to market—empowering breakthrough innovations.
The W.F. Young team is seeking a Packaging Procurement Specialist who is responsible for the synchronized execution of component material requirements planning (MRP) and inventory management to ensure 100% supply continuity. This role serves as the tactical link between demand signals and supplier delivery to Contract Manufacturers, managing the full process of purchase orders from release to receipt. The packaging specialist actively drives cost reduction within primary and secondary packaging by identifying alternative materials, optimizing order patterns, identifying material alternatives, and collaborating with raw material and component suppliers to reduce waste. This position is based on site at our East Longmeadow home office.
Key Responsibilities:
Component Supplier Management
- Lead RFP/RFQ processes as needed, including bid analysis, supplier selection, qualification, and onboarding.
- Manage and develop supplier relationships, including monitoring performance metrics, addressing performance issues, implementing corrective actions, and conducting annual business reviews to align on long-term goals and future demand.
- Ensure supplier compliance with company policies, sustainability standards, and regulatory requirements (e.g., quality, social responsibility, environmental impact).
- Identify alternative and backup suppliers through market analysis, capability assessments, cost evaluations, and risk reviews.
- Prepare contract negotiations to secure favorable pricing, terms, and service level agreements; prepare recommendations for senior management approval and ensure contract compliance.
- Manage projects related to onboarding new component suppliers
Cost, Performance & Risk Management
- Drive cost management initiatives through spend analysis, benchmarking, supplier negotiations, and continuous improvement efforts to deliver measurable annual savings and/or cost containment.
- Monitor and analyze supplier performance metrics, including OTIF, quality, and PPV; provide feedback and corrective action guidance to suppliers and contract manufacturers.
- Provide standard cost inputs in ERP System to support product costing, margin analysis, and financial planning.
- Lead and support special raw material and packaging sourcing and supply initiatives required to enable business growth, sustainability goals, and operational excellence.
Supply Planning, Buying & Execution
- Execute purchasing activities for raw materials, packaging, promotional items, kits, and displays, ensuring alignment with inventory targets and production schedules.
- Partner closely with Supply Chain Planning to translate demand forecasts into actionable procurement and supply plans.
- Supervise sourcing, purchasing, and builds for promotional and display items, coordinating with vendors and internal teams; partner with Supply Planning on repeat builds and replenishment strategies.
- Maintain ERP master data accuracy, including vendor setup, item master pricing, sourcing records, and payment terms.
Key Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, Finance or related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management
- Proven experience working with contract manufacturers, raw material, and packaging suppliers ; ideally in a consumer goods or related (FDA/EPA) environment.
- Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations, contract management, and cost optimization initiatives.
- Strong working knowledge of ERP systems and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Ability to conduct market spend analysis, develop supplier scorecards, and manage KPI tracking
- Ability to influence cross functional teams (Supply Chain, Quality, Marketing, Finance, Operations.
- Experience supporting or leading cross-functional projects; project management experience strongly preferred.
- Strong problem solving and decision-making abilities; able to operate with a sense of urgency and accountability
- APICS certification (CPIM, CSCP) a plus
What can we offer you for all your hard work?
- Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
- Fitness & Weight-loss Reimbursement Programs
- Educational Assistance Program & Professional Development Assistance Program
- Supplemental Bonus Program
- Company Paid STD/LTD
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- 401(k) – with company match
- Pet Insurance
- Paid Time Off Programs
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $69,100.00 - $79,300.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- working with Co Man’s, raw material & packaging suppliers: 1 year (Required)
- strategic sourcing & procurement: 5 years (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- East Longmeadow, MA 01028 (Required)
Work Location: In person
