At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead packaging operations and innovate sustainable solutions in a dynamic food business.
- Company: Established food and fresh produce company near Maidstone, Kent.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time role, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team focused on innovation and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on packaging strategies and sustainability in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in packaging management, strong negotiation skills, and attention to detail.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
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
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.
Packaging Manager in Dartford employer: Fresh People Ltd
Join a dynamic and established food and fresh produce business near Maidstone, where your expertise as a Packaging Manager will be valued in a supportive and innovative work culture. With a focus on sustainability and operational excellence, you'll have the opportunity to lead packaging strategies while collaborating with diverse teams, ensuring your professional growth in a fast-paced environment. Enjoy competitive remuneration and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a company that prioritises employee development and a safe working atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Packaging Manager in Dartford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food and fresh produce industry, especially those who work in packaging. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your past achievements in packaging management. This will give you an edge during interviews and show potential employers what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family, focusing on common questions for packaging managers. This will help you articulate your experience and demonstrate your problem-solving skills confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Packaging Manager in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your previous packaging management experience and any relevant achievements to show us you're the right fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about packaging and how your background aligns with our needs. Be specific about your experience with suppliers, cost control, and sustainability – we want to see your enthusiasm!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to mention your strong Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel, as well as your attention to detail. We love candidates who can manage large volumes of data effectively, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fresh People Ltd
✨Know Your Packaging Materials
Make sure you brush up on the different types of packaging materials and their uses. Be ready to discuss how you’ve used them in past roles, especially in food or FMCG environments. This shows you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Showcase Your Supplier Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and negotiated costs. Think about specific instances where your negotiation skills led to better pricing or improved terms. This will demonstrate your commercial awareness and ability to drive cost efficiencies.
✨Highlight Your Data Management Experience
Since the role involves managing large volumes of operational data, be ready to talk about your experience with data management tools, particularly Excel. Share how you’ve used data to monitor performance and make informed decisions in previous positions.
✨Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of a few challenges you’ve faced in packaging operations and how you resolved them. Whether it was a labelling issue or a supply chain hiccup, being able to articulate your problem-solving process will show that you can handle the pressures of the role effectively.
