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, career growth, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Join a fast-paced team focused on innovation and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on packaging strategies and sustainability in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in packaging management and strong negotiation skills required.
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 Maidstone 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 collaborative and innovative environment. With a strong focus on sustainability and operational excellence, the company offers competitive salaries, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive culture that encourages teamwork and development. This role not only allows you to lead packaging operations but also to contribute to meaningful advancements in packaging solutions within the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Packaging Manager in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its packaging operations. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around sustainability and supplier management.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've tackled packaging challenges in the past. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and innovative thinking.
✨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 about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Packaging Manager in Maidstone
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 Data Skills:Since we deal with a lot of operational data, make sure to mention your proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel. Share examples of how you've used data to improve packaging processes or manage costs effectively.
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 Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of packaging materials and processes. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed packaging operations or developed innovative solutions.
✨Show Off Your Supplier Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience managing supplier relationships. Think of instances where you've negotiated costs or improved supplier performance, and be ready to share how you built those strong partnerships.
✨Data is Key
Since this role involves a lot of operational data, make sure you're comfortable discussing how you've used data to monitor costs and margins in previous roles. Bring examples of reports or analyses you've created that led to process improvements.
✨Team Player Vibes
This position requires collaboration across multiple departments, so be prepared to highlight your teamwork skills. Share stories about how you've worked with production, quality, or logistics teams to achieve common goals and improve packaging efficiency.
