European Category Leader

Edgewell is a global team of over 6,000 visionaries, doers and makers. Our secret is people, and we have an inspiring and collaborative global force of them. Our portfolio of over 25 brands touches lives in more than 50 countries by making useful things joyful. Together, we reimagine good mornings and endless summers, strive for more sustainable ways to beautify and bond, and do it all with not only confidence but determination.

Position Summary

The European Category Manager for Packaging is responsible for the strategic sourcing, budgeting, planning and supplier management of corrugated materials, folding cartons and printed cards used across all European production sites. The role leads the development of long-term category strategies, ensures business continuity, drives cost and quality improvements, and supports innovation in collaboration with Supply Chain, Packaging Engineering, Marketing and global procurement teams. This position plays a critical part in securing sustainable, compliant and competitive packaging solutions for the European region.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Execution

• Create, develop and execute strategic category plans for corrugated board, folding cartons and printed cards.
• Analyze European packaging markets, mills, converters, printing technologies and cost drivers.
• Identify value engineering opportunities and lead packaging standardization initiatives.

Supplier Management

• Select, qualify and manage the supplier base, ensuring alignment with quality, sustainability and commercial requirements.
• Conduct print validations, material approvals, transport testing, and certification checks (FSC/PEFC).
• Build long-term strategic supplier relationships and lead Quarterly Business Reviews.

Commercial Management

• Lead negotiations across pricing, TCO, lead times and contractual terms.
• Develop cost breakdown models for packaging materials and drive competitive benchmarking.
• Monitor paper indices, converting costs and market changes impacting category performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Support new product development, artwork changes and packaging redesigns with Marketing, Packaging Engineering, R&D and Operations.
• Provide packaging sourcing inputs to annual budgets, forecasts and investment plans.

Risk & Compliance

• Develop and maintain Business Continuity Plans (dual sourcing, inventory models, alternative specifications).
• Ensure category compliance with EU packaging regulations (PPWR, recyclability standards, EPR obligations).
• Identify and escalate risks, ensuring mitigation actions are implemented.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead process improvements within procurement and across the supply chain.
• Identify opportunities to automate, harmonise specifications or consolidate suppliers.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Packaging Technology or related field.
• 5+ years’ experience in procurement, ideally within packaging materials.
• A benefit is experience in corrugated board grades, fluting types, folding carton production, and printing technologies (offset, flexo, digital).
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Ability to analyse packaging cost structures and identify value engineering opportunities.
• Understanding of EU packaging sustainability requirements and certifications.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and project leadership skills.
• Fluent in English; additional European languages are an asset.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree or advanced training in Procurement or Packaging.
• Experience in a global manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of artwork management workflows and packaging specification systems.
• Track record of driving cost savings and supplier innovation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including total cost analysis
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language
• Business fluent in English

Working Relationships

• Reports directly to the Procurement Manager and interface regularly with the VPs, directors and at regular times
• Key relationships internally will include cross-site Cross Functional Heads and Regional Finance
• Key relationships externally will include suppliers for dedicated commodities
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Packaging Engineering, and Graphics teams on artwork development, new product launches, and packaging redesign initiatives.

Work Environment

• Office environment – on the site + HO
• Travel Requirements – regular EU destinations
• Work schedules may vary from typical business hours.

Edgewell is an equal opportunity employer. We do all we can to create a collaborative and diverse global team, where good ideas can thrive, and our colleagues can learn and lead. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. We listen deeply and speak directly to create an environment that’s open to difference. We aim to bring joy to not only the products we create and the people we serve, but our colleagues across the globe too.