ND Paper Inc

Job Title: Freight Buyer – Strategic Sourcing (Intermodal, Truckload, Ocean, Rail)

About Us

ND Paper, a leading paper product manufacturer in the US with approx. $1 billion annual sales, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited, the largest containerboard producer in China and Asia, with $10 billion annual sales. We are an environmentally friendly company that manufactures various types of high-quality pulp, paper and paper-based packaging materials. Our mills in Rumford, Maine and Biron Wisconsin are integrated paper & pulp facilities, and our mill in Fairmont, West Virginia is one of only three in the world that produces air-dried, recycled pulp. Our fourth mill in Old Town, ME produces softwood kraft pulp. We are proud of our 1400 dedicated employees, who together produce more than 1.2 million short tons of pulp & paper annually.

We are seeking a results-driven Freight Buyer to lead the strategic procurement and capacity sourcing of transportation services across truckload, intermodal, ocean, and rail modes. This role will develop sourcing strategies, identify and onboard carriers, negotiate freight contracts, and ensure cost-effective, reliable transportation solutions for domestic and international shipments. A strong emphasis is placed on developing scalable truckload capacity and aligning freight solutions with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Develop and execute multi-modal freight sourcing strategies.
• Lead RFP processes and contract negotiations across all transport modes.
• Build reliable capacity through asset-based carriers.
• Optimize modal mix and routing to balance service, cost, and sustainability goals.

Truckload Capacity Development

• Expand and manage a robust carrier network with lane-specific coverage.
• Secure both committed and spot capacity in volatile markets.
• Identify underperforming lanes and implement corrective sourcing actions.

Cost & Performance Management

• Monitor cost-per-mile, accessorial charges, and lane-level budget adherence.
• Develop and track carrier scorecards focused on on-time delivery, claims, and responsiveness.
• Collaborate with Finance for accurate freight accruals and forecast alignment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Align with Planning, Distribution, and Customer Service to ensure service-level targets are met.
• Support operational readiness for seasonal spikes, product launches, and cross-border flows.
• Provide market intelligence to leadership to support network design and sourcing strategies.

Success Profile:

A successful Freight Buyer in this role will demonstrate the following attributes and achievements within the first 6–12 months:

Competency

What Success Looks Like

Analytical Rigor

Builds cost models and benchmarks freight rates across all modes; flags high-cost lanes and provides actionable insights.

Carrier Strategy

Grows truckload carrier base by 100% with diversified coverage; while maintaining on-time performance of at least 95%.

Negotiation Skill

Delivers 5–10% freight cost reduction through strategic sourcing, consolidation, and re-negotiation of underperforming contracts. Target DAT spot low.

Agility in Market Shifts

Anticipates capacity crunches and adapts routing or sourcing mix to minimize disruption.

Execution Discipline

Show follow-through and execution to meet or exceed targets.

Cross-Functional Impact

Builds strong internal relationships and is seen as the go-to freight SME for both operations and finance teams.

System Fluency

Fully proficient in the use of TMS, load boards, and reporting tools to support decision-making and improve freight visibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, or Business.
• 4–6 years’ experience in transportation procurement, preferably across multiple modes.
• Demonstrated success managing carrier negotiations and strategic freight sourcing.
• Strong Excel/data analysis skills; experience with TMS platforms required.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and project management abilities.

Attributes for Success

• Hard work – tackle each task with determination, passion and creativity; the willingness to put in whatever effort is required to successfully complete the job at hand.
• Pursuit of Excellence – strive to consistently exceed expectations in our day-to-day work and outperform our competitors in the marketplace, regarding work and company achievements as a collaborative goal with the desire to go above and beyond.
• Integrity - treat the company and teammates with upmost respect, operating on strong moral codes to drive company values and culture.
• Sense of Urgency – drive forward each day with speed, agility, and flexibility to capture unrealized opportunities and avoid potential risks for the business.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit – act like an owner, challenging the status quo, asking the right questions, and actively seeking ways to innovate and improve.
• Adaptability – be fluid with ND Paper’s continuous evolution while driving change in a fast-paced environment, equipped with the ability to acclimate quickly.
• Servant Leadership – set an example by implementing meaningful leadership with heart, empathy, foresight and stewardship.

ND Paper Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, hospital indemnity, and critical illness for you and your family.
• Financial protection benefits, including life insurance, disability insurance, and business travel accident insurance.
• Tax advantaged accounts such as Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Paid holidays, personal days, and vacation days to support work-life balance.
• A 401K retirement plan with a company match and annual fixed contribution
• Wellness programs with incentives and an on-site clinic available at our Rumford and Biron location.

Enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, and paid time off. Discover more about our benefits and how we support our team by visiting 2025 Benefits. Come be a part of our team and grow with us!

Apply

Please submit your resume, and salary requirements to https://us.ndpaper.com/careers

No unsolicited resumes - ND Paper does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume you submit to us will immediately become the property of ND Paper. If you would like to become a recruiter for ND Paper, please contact us and we will agree in writing to terms and the specific job roles for which you are authorized to recruit.

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