Global Packaging Sourcing Manager

Besque is looking for an experienced Global Packaging Sourcing Manager to lead the sourcing and supplier management of beauty and cosmetic packaging across our business. This is a hands-on role for someone who knows the beauty packaging industry exceptionally well - not simply general procurement. You should understand the difference between a supplier that presents well and one that can consistently deliver excellent product at scale. Previous experience sourcing packaging specifically within the beauty, cosmetics or personal care industry is essential.

You will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, negotiating with and managing packaging suppliers globally, while balancing quality, cost, lead times, MOQs, innovation and reliability. We are looking for someone commercially sharp, highly organised and comfortable operating independently across multiple countries and time zones. Existing relationships with high-quality packaging manufacturers and suppliers would be a significant advantage.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Source primary and secondary beauty packaging globally, including bottles, jars, tubes, pumps, caps, closures, applicators, cartons and other packaging components.
• Build and maintain a strong international supplier network across key packaging manufacturing regions.
• Identify new factories and suppliers capable of meeting Besque's requirements for quality, cost, innovation, lead time and scale.
• Assess suppliers beyond headline pricing - understanding their manufacturing capability, quality systems, tooling expertise, capacity, reliability and ability to execute consistently.
• Quickly distinguish between high-quality manufacturing partners and suppliers likely to create quality, production or delivery problems later in the process.
• Manage RFQs, quotations and commercial negotiations across pricing, MOQs, tooling, payment terms, lead times and other commercial terms.
• Benchmark suppliers and pricing internationally to ensure Besque remains commercially competitive.
• Manage packaging projects from initial brief and supplier identification through sampling, tooling, development, production and delivery.
• Work closely with suppliers on custom packaging, decoration, finishes, colour matching, materials and technical requirements.
• Review samples and production quality, proactively identifying potential manufacturing or quality issues before they reach production.
• Coordinate supplier timelines across different countries and time zones and ensure projects remain on schedule.
• Maintain clear communication with both suppliers and internal teams, escalating risks early rather than after deadlines have been missed.
• Negotiate effectively while building strong, long-term supplier relationships.
• Develop alternative and backup supply options to reduce dependence on individual factories or regions.
• Keep up to date with packaging innovation, materials, manufacturing capabilities, sustainability developments and emerging suppliers within the beauty industry.

What we’re looking for:

• Essential: Significant previous experience in beauty, cosmetics or personal care packaging sourcing.
• Strong existing knowledge of the global beauty packaging supply chain.
• Demonstrable experience sourcing directly from manufacturers internationally.
• Strong understanding of packaging manufacturing processes, materials, tooling, decoration and finishing techniques.
• The ability to assess whether a supplier genuinely has the capability and quality standards required — rather than relying solely on sales presentations or samples.
• Experience evaluating samples, production quality and supplier capabilities.
• Strong commercial judgement and negotiation skills.
• Experience comparing suppliers across cost, quality, MOQ, lead time, technical capability and reliability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple suppliers and projects simultaneously.
• Comfortable communicating with factories and partners across different cultures and time zones.
• Able to work autonomously, take ownership and solve problems without requiring constant direction.
• Strong attention to detail and a high standard for product quality.

• Highly desirable: An established network of trusted beauty packaging factories, manufacturers and suppliers.
• Strong supplier relationships across China, South Korea, Europe and other major packaging manufacturing markets.
• Experience with both stock and fully customised packaging.
• Experience managing tooling and mould development.
• Knowledge of glass, plastics, aluminium and other common beauty packaging materials.
• Experience with pumps, dispensing systems and technically complex packaging components.
• Familiarity with packaging testing, compatibility testing, inspection and quality-control processes.
• Experience supporting fast-moving beauty brands or businesses with frequent new product development.

The person we’re looking for:

You are naturally sceptical when assessing new suppliers and know the right questions to ask before committing significant time or money. You understand that the cheapest quotation is rarely the whole story. You look at manufacturing capability, communication, consistency, tooling, quality control, capacity, lead times and how a supplier behaves when something goes wrong. You are comfortable speaking directly with factories around the world, negotiating firmly when required and building strong relationships with the suppliers that perform well. You communicate clearly, follow through on commitments and are capable of managing several sourcing and development projects at once without losing sight of the details. Most importantly, you already understand beauty packaging. You know the supplier landscape, the manufacturing terminology, the common problems and the warning signs that distinguish a strong packaging partner from a poor one.

Why Besque: This is an opportunity to take real ownership of Besque's global packaging supplier network and play an important role in how we source, develop and deliver exceptional beauty products. You’ll have the freedom to find better suppliers, negotiate better solutions, introduce new packaging capabilities and build a sourcing network capable of supporting the company as it grows.

To apply: Please include a summary of your experience sourcing beauty or cosmetic packaging, the regions you have sourced from, and the types of packaging and suppliers you have worked with.