Category Lead

What if you were given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference? At International Paper, you control your destiny. We offer challenging assignments and total rewards in countries around the world. When we say infinite possibilities, we mean it. Apply now and join a community that improves people’s lives, the planet and our company’s performance by transforming renewable resources into products people depend on every day.

Position Title: 

Category Lead

PL10

Salary:  $75,800 - $101,000

Category/Shift:

Salaried Full-Time

Memphis, TN / Hybrid

Physical Location:

International Paper

International Place

6400 Poplar Ave.

Memphis, TN 38197

901-419-9000

(Preferred)

The Job You Will Perform:

• Strategic Sourcing & Category Leadership - Own and lead multiple  categories. Develop and execute sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, and service levels.
• Supplier Management & Market Intelligence - Build strong supplier relationships and maintain deep knowledge of category intelligence, market dynamics, and emerging trends. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to manage supplier performance and identify risks and opportunities.
• Contract Negotiation - Lead and/or assist in both conventional and complex contract negotiations and establish contracts that deliver best-in-class value. Leverage your exceptional contract language development, negotiation skills, and contract management abilities. Work with Legal and other internal stakeholders to optimize critical terms and conditions while ensuring compliance with corporate policies.
• Cost Optimization & Value Creation - Drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) improvements through supplier engagement, process enhancements, and strategic sourcing initiatives.

The Skills You Will Bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in Sourcing, Supplier Management, Contract Negotiations  
• Minimum 5 years of strategic sourcing and category management experience
• Proven success in negotiating complex, high-value contracts and delivering measurable cost savings. 
• Deep understanding of procurement processes, supplier management, and commercial practices.
• Strong analytical capabilities to interpret market trends, building cost models, and forecast budget impacts. 
• Ability to translate data into actional sourcing strategies
• Experience identifying, assessing, and mitigating supplier financial and security risks to IP and its operational systems
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams through a discipline strategic process to drive collaboration, influence change, and ensure successful results.
• Expectational communication and influential skills to achieve specific outcomes through the cultivation of strategic relationships and rapport building talents
• Effectively manage multiple projects with competing priorities

Competencies: 

• Financial Acumen
• Drives Results
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Resourcefulness
• Negotiating Skills

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets. 

The Career You Will Build:

Promotional opportunities within a global company

The Impact You Will Make:

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.

The Culture You Will Experience:

International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join:

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2022 were $21.2 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting InternationalPaper.com.

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.  International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact reasonable.accommodations@ipaper.com or (877) 973-3919.
Memphis  TN  38197