Procurement Forester

The opportunity:

Smurfit Westrock has an opportunity for a Procurement Forester to join our Fernandina Beach, FL Forest Resources team to assist in aggressively managing fiber purchase requirements that support the overall region objectives to maintain the lowest cost, highest quality fiber sourcing in support of mill’s forecasted needs while maintaining the highest compliance with safety and environmental requirements. This Procurement Forester role will focus on working with external suppliers and landowners to secure fiber deliveries to our Fernandina Beach Mill and Maxville Chipmill. The position will be relied on principally to identify and develop fiber supply but will also guide associates, support team initiatives, and provide strong customer service to our mill customer.

How you will impact WestRock:

• Lead, promote, enhance, and model Smurfit Westrock’s safety and environmentally conscious culture.
• Support the Stumpage Team Leader in executing the strategic purchase plan to provide the highest value fiber to the digester across the annual cycle through identifying and developing fiber sources and ensuring a consistent supply of delivered fiber.
• Assist in the development and lead ground-level execution of the tactical plans supporting the annual strategy built on mill requirements. Preferred candidates will be able to demonstrate robust understanding of markets including the preparation of business strategy recommendations by proactively capturing pertinent market data, evaluating relevance to region strategy, identifying cost savings opportunities, and providing feedback and options to the Team Leader for decision making
• Work with other members of the regional team in the execution of the fiber supply plan with precision and a high sense of urgency, remaining flexible to adjust strategy and tactics given changes in market conditions and/or mill operations to sustain the highest value fiber to the digester across the annual cycle.
• Effectively evaluate fiber opportunities and successfully negotiate pricing based on true market demands that provide high quality fiber to the digester at lowest possible costs.
• Manage and communicate effectively with all stakeholders including peers, the fiber procurement team, management, landowners, and suppliers in verbal and written form related to relevant operations, strategies, and status of execution.
• Assist the Team Leader in the development and reporting of timely and accurate financial information including budgets, forecasts, and projected spending.
• Represent WestRock in the community by participation in Associations, workshops, and civic and government affairs.

What you need to succeed:

• Must have 2+ years of Forestry experience. Ideal candidate will have experience purchasing timber and managing relationships with multiple external logging/fiber supply operations to maintain targeted and consistent delivered fiber.
• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or related field (or 5 years of equivalent Forestry experience in the defined fields above).
• A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

What we offer:

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability and excellence
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies and potential
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.