Category Manager

pactiv-evergreen· Purchasing
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📍 Lake Forest, IL, USFULL TIME💰 USD 115–125K

About this role

Company Overview

Why Choose Us?

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.

Our Sustainability Commitment

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.

Job Description

Position Summary

Responsible for sourcing strategy and procurement execution for material handling, automation, robotics, AGVs, and warehouse technologies supporting manufacturing and distribution facilities.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Manage strategic supplier relationships
  • Lead sourcing for warehouse and manufacturing automation projects
  • Evaluate automation technologies and suppliers
  • Develop equipment standards and preferred supplier programs
  • Support network optimization initiatives
  • Drive productivity and labor-reduction opportunities
  • Negotiate capital equipment and service contracts

 

Categories Managed

  • Material Handling Equipment (MHE)
  • AGV
  • Warehouse Automation

Requirements

  • 5–10 years of procurement, automation, engineering, logistics, or distribution experience
  • Experience with material handling systems and warehouse automation
  • Lease procurement and negotiation experience

 

Compensation:

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $115-125,000 + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

 

The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.

 

 

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Company Benefits

What You'll Get From Us

Benefits

With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.

Community Engagement

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

Training and Development

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.

 

Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact myHRservices@novolex.com.

 

Formerly Pactiv Evergreen

Responsibilities

Position Summary
Responsible for sourcing strategy and procurement execution for material handling, automation, robotics, AGVs, and warehouse technologies supporting manufacturing and distribution facilities.
 
Key Responsibilities
- Manage strategic supplier relationships
- Lead sourcing for warehouse and manufacturing automation projects
- Evaluate automation technologies and suppliers
- Develop equipment standards and preferred supplier programs
- Support network optimization initiatives
- Drive productivity and labor-reduction opportunities
- Negotiate capital equipment and service contracts
 
Categories Managed
- Material Handling Equipment (MHE)
- AGV
- Warehouse Automation
Requirements
- 5–10 years of procurement, automation, engineering, logistics, or distribution experience
- Experience with material handling systems and warehouse automation
- Lease procurement and negotiation experience
 
Compensation:
A reasonable estimate of the current range is $115-125,000 + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
 
The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.
 
 
#LI-TM1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Category Manager role at pactiv-evergreen?
The listed salary for this Category Manager position at pactiv-evergreen is USD 115–125K. This is an FULL TIME role.
Where is the Category Manager position at pactiv-evergreen located?
This Category Manager role at pactiv-evergreen is based in Lake Forest, IL, US. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Category Manager role at pactiv-evergreen full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a FULL TIME position. It is posted as a Category Manager role in the Purchasing department at pactiv-evergreen.
Which team or department does the Category Manager at pactiv-evergreen belong to?
This Category Manager position is part of the Purchasing department at pactiv-evergreen. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Category Manager position at pactiv-evergreen?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to pactiv-evergreen's official application portal hosted on icims where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Category Manager job at pactiv-evergreen posted?
This Category Manager position at pactiv-evergreen was posted on Aug 14, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Category Manager
pactiv-evergreen · 💰 USD 115–125K
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