At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead packaging activities for furniture and homewares, ensuring quality and sustainability.
- Company: Join OKA, a passionate brand transforming homes with beautiful designs.
- Benefits: 33 days holiday, health cash plan, and a range of employee perks.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable packaging in a creative environment.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in packaging development with strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 33075 - 40425 £ per year.
We are seeking a Packaging Technologist to lead and manage all packaging activities across our furniture and homewares ranges ensuring product protection, regulatory compliance, cost efficiency and sustainability.
The role works closely with overseas Central Service teams, global suppliers; UK third=party warehouse and Quality teams to set packaging standards, provide technical guidance and training, supporting packaging testing during product development, ongoing production and resolving packaging issues.
The successful candidate will have strong technical knowledge of packaging materials, testing standards, EPR and Waste packaging reporting requirements.
This role is initially offered as a 12-month Fixed-Term contract with the potential opportunity to transition to a permanent position subject to organisational requirements.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Packaging Development and Management
- Develop, specify and approve packaging for all products to ensure protection, quality and brand consistency.
- Act as the packaging subject-matter expert for overseas Central Services (ACS) teams, providing clear packaging guides, minimum standards and technical documentation to enable them to effectively manage supplier relationships and ensure consistent packaging execution.
- Create, maintain and control packaging specifications, drawing and documentation across all SKUs, ensuring all information is updated to our internal product management system.
- Support ACS teams ensuring packaging standards and expectations are clearly communicated and embedded at the start of new product development.
- Conduct supplier packaging audits to ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.
- Work with ACS and all suppliers (UK, Europe, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and China) to manage packaging in line with specifications and requirements, ensuring clarity, consistency and compliance across global manufacturing partners.
- Work alongside the Marketing team to manage a gift packaging rebranding project, including the development and approval of new retail packaging and gift bag designs.
This will also include managing packaging and labelling specifications for ad-hoc marketing projects as required,
- Work with the third-party warehouse to introduce high-specification D2C packaging, ensuring premium unboxing experience and optimal protection for direct-to-consumer shipments.
- Testing and Quality Assurance
- Develop and issue packaging testing guidelines and training materials for ACS teams and suppliers ensuring consistent testing approaches during product development and ongoing production.
- Define and support the setup of packaging testing parameters including drop testing and transit simulation with suppliers.
This includes reviewing and approving supplier in-house packaging testing in accordance with internationally recognised standards.
- Evaluate packaging performance issues and failures, including cases where previously approved packaging has failed in storge or transit.
Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action plans, working cross-functionally with suppliers, ACS teams, UK Warehouse operations and QC teams to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.
- Maintain testing records and ensure that packaging performance data is up to date.
- Sustainability and Compliance
- Manage EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) and waste packaging reporting, ensuring compliance with packaging and recycling regulations such as the UK Plastic Packaging Tax.
- Work collaboratively with ACS teams and suppliers to identify and implement sustainable packaging materials and reduction initiatives without compromising product protection in line with our sustainability targets
- Lead packaging optimisation projects to reduce costs, material usage, damage rates and environmental impact across the supply chain.
- Monitor emerging packaging technologies, materials, testing methodologies and regulatory changes to ensure best practice adoption.
ABOUT YOU
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in packaging development, ideally within the furniture, homewares or consumer goods sectors.
- Strong knowledge of packaging materials, testing methods and supply chain logistics.
- Proven experience managing EPR reporting and packaging waste compliance.
- Excellent project management and communication skills.
- OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE
- 33 days holiday (including bank holiday entitlement), plus Length of Service increases.
- Day off for your birthday
- Health Cash Plan
- Enhanced Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Eligibility for a discretionary company Bonus Scheme
- Plus, a suite of additional employee benefits including Company pension scheme, life assurance cover, free eye tests, cycle to work scheme, interest free travel loans, social events, online wellbeing centre and more.
- ABOUT OKA
Founded over 20 years ago by three entrepreneurial women with a passion for beautiful, practical and comfortable homes, OKA is more than a furniture and homeware retailer: it is a love affair with living well.
We inspire people to confidently create a home that reflects their personality, a space where nothing should be too preciousor perfect to be enjoyed with family and friends.
British-born, today we have 14stores across the UK - an established Interior Design and Trade business, a mail-orderserviceand athriving website.
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Packaging Technologist in Swindon employer: OKA
At OKA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a Packaging Technologist, you'll benefit from a comprehensive package including 33 days of holiday, enhanced parental leave, and opportunities for professional growth within our dynamic team. Located in the UK, we are committed to sustainability and innovation, ensuring that your contributions will make a meaningful impact in the furniture and homewares industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Packaging Technologist in Swindon
✨Get Your Hands Dirty in the Industry
For a temporary role in manufacturing, don’t shy away from physically visiting local factories and production sites. A friendly walk-in can often lead to spontaneous interviews or valuable connections, and can really help you get a sense of the workplace vibe.
✨Tap into Seasonal Hiring Windows
Manufacturing often sees spikes in hiring during particular seasons, like summer when production ramps up. Keep an eye on local job boards and community centres, or even visit seasonal job fairs—they’re golden for snagging those temporary roles we’re after.
✨Join Industry-Specific Communities
Consider joining online forums and social media groups specific to manufacturing. Sites like Reddit or even LinkedIn groups can give you insights into open positions and allow you to connect with current employees who might give you an edge in the hiring process.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Site!
With OKA looking for temporary talent, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s often the fastest way to get your foot in the door, so make the most of it. Plus, it shows you're proactive—always a win!
We think you need these skills to ace Packaging Technologist in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Practical Skills:In manufacturing and production, hands-on skills are key! Make sure your CV showcases any relevant experience with machinery, quality control, or assembly line work. If you’ve got certifications related to operating specific equipment, don’t forget to include those too!
Focus on Flexibility and Adaptability:For a temporary role, employers are looking for candidates who can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work well under pressure. Share any experiences where you've successfully adjusted to changing circumstances or tight deadlines.
Include Specific Measurements of Your Impact:Manufacturing roles often revolve around efficiency and productivity. If you’ve previously worked in similar roles, be sure to quantify your achievements. For example, mention how you improved production rates or reduced waste – numbers stand out and show you mean business!
Express Your Interest in the Industry:Temporary roles can be a great stepping stone for future opportunities! Take a moment in your application to express why you’re interested in manufacturing and production. Showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make a real difference and may keep doors open for upcoming positions!
How to prepare for a job interview at OKA
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
In the manufacturing and production world, they want to see that you can actually handle the tools and machines. Bring along any certifications you have or even pictures of projects you’ve worked on. We want to demonstrate that you're not just a theory person but someone who can jump right in.
✨Emphasise Safety Knowledge
Safety's a huge deal in manufacturing, so make sure you’re clued up about health and safety regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you've followed safety protocols in past roles. It's all about showing you can contribute to a safe working environment at OKA.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, highlight your adaptability and willingness to step into different roles as needed. Share examples of times you’ve adjusted quickly to new situations or tackled varied tasks. We want to show you're the go-to person when things get busy!
✨Ask About Team Dynamics
In any temporary role, fitting in quickly is vital. Ask about team dynamics and collaboration processes during the interview. This shows you’re not only ready to contribute but also keen to blend into OKA’s culture, making you a valuable asset.
