Packaging Manager
Location: Near Maidstone, Kent
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
An established and growing food and fresh produce business based near Maidstone is looking to appoint an experienced Packaging Manager to take ownership of its packaging operations.
This is a varied management position with responsibility for packaging strategy, materials, supplier relationships, operational performance, stock control, sustainability reporting and the development of new packaging solutions. You will work closely with the packhouse, production, quality, procurement and logistics teams to ensure products are packed safely, efficiently and in line with customer and quality requirements.The Role
As Packaging Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day packaging function while also taking a proactive approach to cost control, process improvement and packaging innovation.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Managing packaging operations to ensure products are labelled, packed and sealed accurately and efficiently
- Developing the packaging strategy, including the sourcing of equipment and materials
- Managing packaging stock levels, inventory records and product movement procedures
- Preparing Bills of Materials and maintaining accurate packaging data
- Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with packaging suppliers
- Negotiating pricing, commercial terms and conditions with suppliers and customers
- Checking and approving invoices
- Monitoring packaging costs, margins and profit-and-loss performance
- Supporting retailers with sustainability documentation, including PPT, EPR and RMA forms
- Working with product development teams on new packaging solutions from initial concept through to launch
- Identifying packaging and labelling issues and implementing practical solutions
- Ensuring quality-control processes are followed and any defects or deviations are reported
- Monitoring operational performance against daily targets and adjusting schedules where required
- Maintaining accurate records, reports and compliance documentation
- Supporting recruitment, onboarding, training and ongoing development of team members
- Promoting a safe, clean and well-organised working environment
About You
The successful candidate will ideally have previous packaging-management experience within food, fresh produce, FMCG, manufacturing or a similarly fast-paced environment.
You will be confident managing suppliers, negotiating costs and working with a high volume of operational data. You will also need to be commercially aware, highly organised and comfortable working across multiple departments.Key Skills and Experience
- Previous packaging, production or operational management experience
- Strong understanding of packaging materials, labelling and stock control
- Experience managing suppliers and negotiating pricing
- Good commercial awareness and confidence monitoring costs and margins
- Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage large volumes of data
- Strong communication, leadership and problem-solving skills
- Ability to prioritise workloads and work to tight deadlines
- Experience supporting packaging sustainability reporting would be advantageous
- Experience within food, fresh produce or FMCG would be highly desirable
Apply
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced packaging professional to join a well-established business and play an important role in driving packaging performance, cost efficiencies and future innovation.
To apply, please submit your CV with details of your current salary and notice period.
