At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead packaging development and innovation in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
- Company: Growing biscuit manufacturer with a focus on sustainability and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, stable hours, early finishes on Fridays, and career progression.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on exciting projects while enjoying full autonomy.
- Qualifications: Experience in packaging within FMCG and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are a growing biscuit manufacturer based in Uttoxeter, producing both own-brand and private-label products for leading retailers and customers. We are looking for an experienced and motivated Packaging Technologist to join our Technical team and play a key role in supporting packaging development, compliance, innovation, and operational excellence across the business.
Working within a close-knit technical team, you will take ownership of packaging specifications, artwork approvals, sustainability projects, and packaging improvements across a diverse product portfolio. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced FMCG environment and wants to make a real impact within a growing manufacturing business.
- Lead packaging activity across New Product Development (NPD), Existing Product Development (EPD), sustainability, value engineering, and operational projects.
- Manage packaging systems and specifications across a wide portfolio of live products.
- Work closely with production teams, suppliers, and internal departments to resolve packaging issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Manage specifications for cartons, films, labels, adhesives, ribbons, and other packaging materials.
- Support artwork approval processes, ensuring compliance, accuracy, barcode integration, cutter guide alignment, and date coding requirements are met.
- Coordinate packaging trials and validate packaging performance within operational and transit environments.
- Ensure packaging materials comply with legal, retailer, customer, and BRC requirements.
- Support retailer packaging initiatives and optimisation programmes.
- Maintain accurate packaging data, retailer portals, compliance records, and non-conformance reporting systems.
- Support sustainability projects including EPR submissions, PFAS tracking, and packaging improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate with Commercial, Procurement, Production, QA, and Technical teams to deliver commercially viable packaging solutions.
- Provide packaging support across manufacturing operations when required.
Previous experience in a packaging-focused role within FMCG or food manufacturing is essential. You should have experience working with retailer packaging specifications and requirements, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas and pivot tables, along with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, are required.
You should be self-motivated with the ability to work independently and take ownership of projects, and have experience within private-label manufacturing. An understanding of sustainability initiatives, EPR requirements, and packaging legislation is also important. Strong relationship-building skills with both internal teams and external suppliers, as well as a flexible, adaptable, and hands-on attitude, are essential.
This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of the packaging function within a growing business, with exposure to exciting NPD, sustainability, and retailer-led projects. A competitive salary and stable working hours with an early finish on Fridays are also part of the package.
Senior Operations Manager (Vervuld) in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Talent Solutions Staffing UK
Contact Detail:
Talent Solutions Staffing UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Operations Manager (Vervuld) in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more you chat with folks in the FMCG world, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, don’t hold back! Bring examples of your past work, especially anything related to packaging development or sustainability projects. Let them see what you can bring to the table!
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every company is different, so make sure you tailor your pitch to fit their vibe. Research the biscuit manufacturer’s values and goals, and align your experience with what they’re looking for. It shows you’re genuinely interested!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for job openings! Applying directly through us not only makes it easier but also shows you’re keen on being part of our team. Plus, we love seeing familiar faces!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations Manager (Vervuld) in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Packaging Technologist role. Highlight your experience in FMCG and any specific projects you've led that relate to packaging development and compliance. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about packaging and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any relevant sustainability projects you've worked on, as this is a key focus for us.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your technical skills, especially with Microsoft Excel and other Office applications. If you've managed packaging specifications or artwork approvals before, let us know! We love seeing candidates who are tech-savvy.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Talent Solutions Staffing UK
✨Know Your Packaging Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of packaging materials and specifications relevant to the FMCG sector. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences with packaging development, compliance, and sustainability projects, as these will be key topics during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Highlight your ability to coordinate with different teams, resolve issues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Proficiency
Since strong Microsoft Excel skills are essential, be prepared to discuss how you've used Excel in your previous roles. If possible, bring examples of how you've utilised formulas and pivot tables to manage packaging data effectively.
✨Emphasise Your Relationship-Building Abilities
The role requires strong relationship-building skills with both internal teams and external suppliers. Think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with others to achieve common goals, and be ready to share those stories during your interview.