At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in packaging procurement and stock management across multiple sites.
- Company: Fast-growing food and fresh produce business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a vibrant work environment.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a key leadership role within a thriving industry.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in packaging, procurement, or FMCG with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are recruiting for an experienced Packaging Manager to join a fast-paced, growing food and fresh produce business, taking overall responsibility for packaging procurement, scheduling, warehousing, stock management and materials across multi operational sites in Kent. Reporting to the Operations Director, this is a key leadership position with responsibility for a team of approximately 40 employees across Procurement, Packaging, Warehousing and Stock Control.
The successful candidate will have full responsibility for packaging and transit materials, ensuring stock availability, accuracy, cost control and operational efficiency while developing the processes, systems and people required to support a busy multi-site operation.
The Role
- Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary team of approximately 40 employees
- Take overall responsibility for packaging procurement, warehousing, stock control and materials management across four sites
- Manage and develop the packaging buying team, including supplier ordering and call-offs
- Ensure packaging materials are available to meet production plans and customer requirements
- Manage supplier relationships, pricing and ongoing performance
- Conduct supplier tenders to ensure agreements remain commercially competitive
- Take full responsibility for packaging and transit material budgets and stock management
- Maintain accurate stock reporting and investigate and resolve discrepancies
- Ensure physical stock-check cycles are completed and anomalies reconciled
- Oversee WIP procedures and stock-location accuracy
- Ensure packaging records are maintained in accordance with BRC requirements
- Act as ERP Superuser for stock management systems and process accuracy
- Establish and maintain relevant operational KPIs
- Drive continuous improvement across packaging, procurement, warehousing and stock processes
- Develop team capability through coaching, training and performance management
- Work closely with Operations, Supply Chain and the wider management team to achieve business objectives
About You
- 5+ years experience within fresh produce, food manufacturing, FMCG or a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Strong packaging, procurement, stock and materials management experience
- Proven leadership of sizeable operational teams
- Commercially strong with supplier management, negotiation and cost-control experience
- Confident using ERP systems and managing stock accuracy and KPIs
- Track record of delivering continuous improvement and operational efficiencies
- Strong communicator with the ability to motivate, coach and develop teams
- Hands-on, visible leadership style with a full UK driving licence
What We Are Looking For
This role would particularly suit an experienced Packaging Manager, Packaging & Materials Manager, Procurement & Packaging Manager, Supply Chain Packaging Manager or operational leader who has significant responsibility for packaging materials and stock. You will need to be equally comfortable developing strategy and improving processes as you are getting involved in the day-to-day operation. The business is looking for someone who can bring structure, accountability, commercial awareness and continuous improvement while leading from the front.
In the first instance send your CV across for consideration.
Packaging Manager in Sittingbourne employer: Fresh People Ltd
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