Purchasing Manager

Join us in shaping the future of sustainable packaging.

At Van de Velde Packaging Group, more than 1,300 colleagues across 17 sites in 8 countries collaborate every day to deliver innovative and sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions.

As European legislation and consumer expectations continue to accelerate the transition away from plastics, demand for sustainable packaging is growing rapidly. Together, we help our customers make this transition by developing high-quality fibre-based alternatives that create real value.

By combining local expertise with international strength, we foster a culture of teamwork, innovation and continuous improvement. Through strategic investments, entrepreneurship and the expertise of our people, we continue to drive growth while helping shape a more sustainable future.

We believe our people are the key to our success. That's why we're looking for passionate individuals who want to make an impact, grow their careers and help build the future of packaging.

About the Role

The successful candidate will be responsible for the strategic and operational management of company purchasing, with a particular focus on raw materials (paper, board, cardboard, film, adhesives, inks, consumables), general services, and management of the subcontractor network. The role will coordinate one resource supporting daily operational activities. The Purchasing Manager will also act as an internal technical reference point, supporting the sales function in the preparation of customer offers.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Management

• Selection, qualification, and evaluation of suppliers of raw materials (cartotechnics materials, consumables, packaging) and of services
• Negotiation of prices, contractual conditions, and supply terms
• Ongoing monitoring of supplier performance (quality, reliability, on-time delivery)
• Management of long-term relationships and identification of new strategic partners

Subcontractor Management

• Research, selection, and qualification of new subcontractors for external processing (e.g. varnishing, laminating, die-cutting, special finishing)
• Economic and contractual negotiation with existing and new subcontractors
• Assessment of production capacity and quality of subcontracted work
• Optimization of the subcontractor network based on volumes and production needs

Technical & Commercial Support

• Active support to the sales function in the preparation of customer offers
• Economic costing of orders (materials, processing, subcontracting costs)
• Technical consulting to identify the most suitable material solution in terms of quality/cost/performance
• Comparative analysis of alternative materials to optimize margins and offer competitiveness

Resource Coordination

• Coordination and supervision of one resource dedicated to supporting daily purchasing operations (orders, delivery follow-up, document management, supplier contacts)
• Training and mentoring of the resource in developing technical and negotiation skills

Cross-Functional Activities

• Monitoring of cartotechnics raw material market trends (paper/board price trends, availability)
• Management and optimization of the purchasing budget
• Periodic reporting to Management

Your Profile

• Experience: background in the cartotechnics/packaging sector, with proven track record in a similar role (Purchasing Manager, Head of Purchasing, or equivalent) currently held at the present company
• In-depth technical knowledge of cartotechnics materials (paper and board types, weights, printing and finishing processes, lamination, die-cutting, creasing)
• Knowledge of the supplier and subcontractor market in the sector, with an established network of contacts
• Negotiation and contract management skills
• Proficiency in technical and economic costing of orders/offers
• Previous experience in coordinating resources/small teams
• Good working knowledge of management systems (ERP) and Excel
• Ability to work in a group context, interfacing with corporate functions
• Autonomy, analytical mindset, results orientation
• Strong interpersonal skills and cross-functional teamwork across sales, production, and quality

What We Offer

At Van de Velde Packaging Group, you'll find the best of both worlds: the entrepreneurial spirit and accessibility of a growing organization, combined with the scale and opportunities of an international group.

We are in the midst of an exciting transformation journey. That means not everything is fully defined, and not every process is perfect—and that's exactly where the opportunity lies. We're looking for people who enjoy rolling up their sleeves, taking ownership, and helping shape the future of our organization.

If you thrive in a dynamic environment, embrace change, and are energized by building, improving, and making things happen, you'll feel right at home here. Your ideas won't get lost in layers of hierarchy; you'll have the chance to contribute, challenge the status quo, and make a visible impact from day one. Together, we're building a stronger organization and creating smarter, more sustainable packaging solutions for our customers.

In return, we offer a competitive and market-aligned compensation package, along with benefits and development opportunities tailored to your role and location.

Ready to make an impact?

Join us and become part of a transformation story where your contribution truly matters.