Head of Packaging in Evesham

Head of Packaging

I am working with Primafruit, a well-established fresh produce business supplying high-quality fruit to a major retailer across the UK. With a strong reputation for quality, service and innovation, they continue to invest in their people, processes and supply chain to support future growth.

As a result, they are looking to appoint a Head of Packaging, a brand-new role within the business.

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for packaging procurement, technical compliance, stock management and packaging operations across the business. You'll lead a small team while working closely with Operations, Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance and Technical to ensure packaging materials are available, compliant, cost-effective and fit for purpose.

The role offers a great mix of strategic and hands-on responsibility, also with the role being new to the business it is a blank canvas for the right person. You'll oversee supplier relationships and contract negotiations, optimise stock levels, strengthen procurement processes and drive continuous improvement projects that improve efficiency, reduce waste and deliver cost savings.

Importantly, you don't necessarily need to come from a packaging background to be successful in this role. If you have strong procurement experience, know how to get the best out of a team and enjoy finding ways to improve how a business operates, this could be a great opportunity. The packaging-specific knowledge can be developed over time. What really matters is having the leadership skills to bring the team together, strengthen the procurement function and drive improvements across the department.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading the Packaging function across procurement, compliance, stock control and operational performance.

• Managing supplier relationships, service levels and packaging contracts.

• Driving cost reduction initiatives and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency.

• Using data, forecasting and reporting to optimise stock levels and reduce supply risk.

• Ensuring compliance with EPR, PPT, BRC requirements and customer standards.

• Supporting packaging development projects and technical packaging requirements.

• Driving automation, digitalisation and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Leading, developing and mentoring the Packaging team.

• Working cross-functionally to improve communication, planning and operational performance.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience within a procurement, supply chain or operational leadership role. Packaging experience would be beneficial but isn’t essential.

• Strong commercial awareness and experience managing supplier relationships.

• A track record of delivering improvements in cost, efficiency or service.

• Experience leading, developing and motivating a team.

• Strong analytical skills and confidence using data to support decision‑making.

• An ability to identify opportunities to improve processes and drive change.

• Knowledge of packaging compliance, legislation and industry standards would be advantageous.

• Experience within food manufacturing or fresh produce would be highly desirable.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing business in a newly created leadership role, where you can make a genuine impact, develop the packaging function and influence how the business operates. Whether you already have packaging expertise or bring a strong background in procurement and people management, this is an opportunity to make the role your own and deliver lasting improvements.

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