Industry Trends

Greif Packaging Procurement: Answers from a Buyer Who's Been There

I manage procurement for a mid-sized manufacturing company—about $250K annually across 8 vendors. In five years, I've placed orders for everything from steel drums to corrugated boxes, and I've learned a few things the hard way. Here's my take on the questions that come up most often.

What exactly does Greif do?

Greif (officially Greif Packaging LLC) is one of the largest industrial packaging companies globally. They make steel drums, plastic drums, fiber drums, IBCs (intermediate bulk containers), containerboard, and corrugated packaging. If you need to store or ship chemicals, food ingredients, lubricants, or heavy parts, Greif likely has a container for it. Their product portfolio is broad—which matters when you're consolidating vendors.

Is Greif a good place to work? (greif jobs)

I don't work there, but I've interacted with their account teams for years. Their turnover seems lower than some competitors, and I've met several reps who've been there a decade. When I asked about greif jobs for a friend, a regional manager told me they hire for manufacturing, logistics, engineering, and sales globally. If you're job hunting, check their careers page—but my personal advice: expect a structured, safety-focused environment. Not a startup vibe.

(Full disclosure: I can't speak to every location. This is based on conversations with three Greif sales reps over the past two years.)

What happened with the PCA/Greif containerboard acquisition?

In 2024, Greif acquired several containerboard mills from Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) as part of a larger deal. The PCA Greif containerboard acquisition expanded Greif's capacity in the boxboard and corrugated market. From a buyer's perspective, that means more production volume and potentially better supply security. I haven't seen price benefits yet—those usually take 12–18 months post-acquisition. But if you rely on containerboard, Greif's position just got stronger.

Looking back, I should have locked in pricing before the deal closed (hindsight's 20/20). At the time, my team was swamped and I didn't prioritize it. Won't make that mistake again.

Should I go with the cheapest packaging supplier?

My experience over five years: the lowest quote has cost us more in at least half the cases. I once saved $400 on a drum order, only to have 8 out of 200 fail during transport. The claims process, replacement shipping, and customer goodwill lost added up to over $2,800. So I'm a believer in value over price. Greif isn't always the lowest bid, but their specs are consistent and their support is timely. That eliminates hidden costs (like rush orders when a cheap vendor misses delivery).

They warned me about specification shortcuts. I didn't listen. An $800 mistake taught me the lesson.

How should I ship printed materials like manuals or posters safely?

This comes up because our marketing team occasionally sends out training manuals (like a small wars manual) or event posters (like a trans rights poster) to multiple locations. Based on what I've learned from packaging suppliers:

• For manuals under 150 pages: use a sturdy fiber envelope (Greif makes those) or a padded mailer. Don't rely on a standard paper envelope—the corners get crushed.
• For posters: roll them in a kraft tube. Greif's corrugated tubes are great because they're rigid and water-resistant.
• Always add a “Do Not Bend” sticker if it's flat. USPS will treat it as a letter otherwise.

I once skipped proper tube packaging for a poster delivery. Every single one arrived bent. The reprint cost me $240 plus my VP's disappointment. Now I never skimp on protection.

How many stamps do I need for a small manila envelope?

This depends on weight and dimensions. According to USPS pricing effective January 2025:

• A small manila envelope (e.g., 9×12 inches) is classified as a large envelope (flat).
• First-Class Mail for a 1‑oz large envelope costs $1.50 (as of Jan 2025). Since a standard Forever stamp is $0.73, you'd need two stamps ($1.46) for a 1‑oz small manila envelope.
• If it's heavier (say 3 oz), you'd add $0.28 per additional ounce: total $2.06, which is three Forever stamps ($2.19—you overpay by $0.13, or use a combination of stamps).

Always weigh it if you're unsure. I've had envelopes returned for insufficient postage (a $3 inconvenience plus delay). Source: USPS Stamps.

Prices verified as of March 2025. They usually change in January and July, so recheck before mailing.