At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies for sustainable packaging materials in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: One of the UK's largest HD Flexo packaging printers, trusted by top consumer brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team focused on quality and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability and innovation in the packaging industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing raw materials and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are one of the largest HD Flexo packaging printers in the UK supplying to the household, personal care, food, beverage, beauty, healthcare, pet care, horticulture & automotive industries. Supplying some of the world’s leading consumer brands, we are a trusted supplier providing high quality, innovative and sustainable packaging. Today we operate a 24/5 multi-production facility across multiple presses with High Definition and Decoration capabilities for labels, flexible films, shrink sleeves, multi construction laminates, board products and promotional booklets & tags.
About our requirement: Over the past few years, the UK HD flexo printing packaging industry has navigated a period of intensified raw material volatility, sustainability-driven material shifts and regulatory pressure, profoundly shaping procurement strategies for converters and printers. Fluctuations in the cost of pulp paper and core polymer-based substrates (PE, PP) have continued to challenge the sector. Therefore maintaining cost competitiveness while securing quality materials has become a central procurement priority.
As our Procurement Manager, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding supply, controlling cost and enabling innovation across a fast-moving HD flexo printing environment. Operating at the centre of our raw material supply chain, you will lead the sourcing strategy for substrates, inks, coatings, plates and press consumables — ensuring we deliver consistent quality, sustainability and margin performance in a volatile market.
Key Responsibilities:
- Securing reliable, cost-effective supply of core materials including PE/PP films, laminates, papers, flexo inks, coatings and plate materials
- Mitigate raw material price volatility through robust negotiation, category tenders and contracting strategies/supplier relationship management
- Reduce supply risk via dual sourcing, supplier diversification and contingency planning
- Support the transition to recyclable, mono-material and lower-impact packaging solutions in line with customer and regulatory demands
- Improve working capital through optimised inventory, lead-time reduction and demand planning alignment
- Maintain rigorous quality and specification control to protect press performance and print consistency
Qualifications:
- Demonstrable success managing raw material categories, polymer substrates (PE, PP, PET), inks, and print consumables highly desirable
- Proven ability to negotiate contracts, manage tenders and deliver measurable cost savings and value improvement
- Experience managing supplier performance, service levels and risk across domestic and international supply bases
- Can evidence strong understanding of commodity markets and cost drivers impacting petrochemical-based materials
- Experience building sourcing strategies to mitigate supply risk, price volatility and long lead times
- Excellent commercial acumen, analytical skills and data-driven decision making
- Confident stakeholder manager with the ability to work cross-functionally with Production, Technical, QA and Finance teams
Personal Attributes:
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with competing priorities
- Detail-oriented with strong quality and specification focus
- Resilient, adaptable and capable of managing change
- Collaborative, relationship-driven and confident influencing at all levels
If you recognise yourself in the description above, we want to meet you to discuss how you can help us achieve our exciting objectives.
Procurement Manager in Kent employer: Leading Edge Labels
As one of the largest HD Flexo packaging printers in the UK, we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration and encourages professional growth, providing employees with opportunities to develop their skills in a fast-paced environment. Located in Kent, we offer a supportive atmosphere where your contributions directly impact our success in supplying leading consumer brands across various industries.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager in Kent
✨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 procurement strategies. Show us that you understand the challenges in the HD flexo printing sector and how you can tackle them head-on.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Procurement Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to secure cost-effective supplies. Role-play with a friend to get comfortable with those tough conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager in Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Procurement Manager. Highlight your experience with raw materials, negotiation skills, and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to manage supply chains effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for our team. Mention specific examples from your past roles that align with our needs, especially around cost management and supplier relationships.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:We love data-driven decision-making! In your application, include instances where you've used analytical skills to solve problems or improve processes. This will show us you can handle the fast-paced environment we operate in.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leading Edge Labels
✨Know Your Materials
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of raw materials, especially polymer substrates like PE and PP. Be ready to discuss how fluctuations in these materials can impact procurement strategies and how you would mitigate risks associated with price volatility.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you've secured cost savings or improved supplier relationships. Highlight specific strategies you used, such as category tenders or dual sourcing, to demonstrate your ability to manage supplier performance effectively.
✨Understand Sustainability Trends
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in sustainable packaging solutions. Be prepared to discuss how you can support the transition to recyclable and lower-impact materials, aligning with customer and regulatory demands while maintaining quality.
✨Be Ready for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Think about how you’ve worked with different teams in the past, like Production or Finance. Prepare to share examples that showcase your collaborative approach and how you’ve influenced stakeholders at various levels to achieve procurement goals.
