Fiber Procurement Specialist in Pine Bluff, Arkansas at Highland Solutions LLC

Fiber Procurement Specialist

Location: Pine Bluff, AR

Reports To: Fiber Procurement Manager

Position Overview

The Fiber Procurement Specialist supports the reliable and cost-effective supply of fiber to Highland’s operations. The position will initially focus on understanding how fiber procurement decisions: fiber type, moisture, quality, cost, and delivery timing, affect material handling, mill performance, production, and finished-product quality.

Approximately half of the role will be focused on fiber performance, quality, and process improvement. The remaining time will be spent supporting fiber procurement, supplier management, inventory planning, field forestry, and sustainability responsibilities.

This is intended to be a developmental position that will assume increasing responsibility for day-to-day fiber procurement activities as experience and knowledge are gained.

Key Responsibilities

Fiber Performance & Mill Impact

• Develop a working understanding of fiber flow from delivery through storage, processing, drying, and pellet production.
• Monitor fiber quality by supplier — moisture, particle size, contamination, bark content — and how it affects mill performance.
• Work with operations, quality, and maintenance to connect fiber sourcing decisions to production rates, recovery, and cost.
• Analyze consumption, inventory, and supplier performance data to spot trends and improvement opportunities.
• Evaluate fiber sources on total value (usable dry fiber, handling, conversion cost) — not just delivered price.
• Develop recommendations linking procurement decisions to operational and financial outcomes.

Procurement & Supplier Development

• Learn day-to-day fiber procurement under the Fiber Procurement Manager: supplier negotiation, pricing, contracting, and supply strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with roundwood and residual fiber suppliers.
• Monitor supplier volume, quality, pricing, and reliability; help evaluate new supply opportunities.
• Support in updating wood orders, pricing schedules, and supply agreements.
• Monitor regional fiber markets and flag supply, cost, or competitive risk.
• Help coordinate delivery scheduling against inventory and production needs.
• Assume increasing procurement responsibility as experience is gained.

Forestry & Compliance

• Support BMP inspections and sustainability checks tied to SFI, FSC, SBP, RED III, and chain-of-custody requirements.
• Maintain sourcing documentation and supplier records.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Forest Products, or related field preferred — not required with relevant experience.
• Strong analytical aptitude and genuine interest in how procurement decisions affect manufacturing outcomes.
• Ability to build supplier relationships and develop into a credible negotiator over time.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Excel; able to learn procurement, inventory, and reporting systems.
• Willingness to split time between mill, office, supplier facilities, and field sites; ability to walk industrial and forestry sites and lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position includes work in office, industrial, and field environments, with regular local and regional travel required. The employee will work around active manufacturing and material-handling operations and may visit active logging operations and supplier facilities in varying weather conditions and uneven terrain.