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Packaging Lead

Job Posted: 24 days ago

Salary: £ Competitive
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester

Expire in: 4 days

Job Description

An opportunity to own the end‑to‑end packaging strategy for a major UK food manufacturing site, driving innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence across the full product range. This is a highly visible, cross‑functional role where you'll act as the packaging subject‑matter expert, influencing design, sourcing, compliance, and cost.

Client Details

Michael Page is partnering with a major UK food manufacturing business to recruit a Packaging Lead for its Manchester‑based site. This is a fourth‑generation, family‑owned organisation employing over 12,000 colleagues across multiple UK manufacturing locations, supplying much‑loved food products throughout the UK and Ireland.

Description

As Packaging Lead, you will take full ownership of the end‑to‑end packaging process for the site's complete product range. Working cross‑functionally, you will drive optimisation, innovation, and sustainability across packaging design, specification, sourcing, and execution.

This is a highly visible role, acting as the packaging subject‑matter expert for the site and wider business.

Key Responsibilities

Partner closely with NPD, Supply Chain, Operations, Technical, and Commercial teams to develop and deliver effective and sustainable packaging solutions
Lead the sourcing of packaging materials, including supplier negotiation, cost management, and relationship building
Own and maintain packaging specifications, ensuring compliance with product, customer, and legislative requirements
Drive packaging innovation and renovation, covering formats, designs, and materials
Plan and execute packaging trials in collaboration with NPD and Operations
Develop and deliver initiatives to reduce packaging waste and improve recyclability, reusability, and the use of renewable materials
Train and support internal teams on packaging standards, handling, and sustainability awareness
Act as the packaging lead and key contact during product launches, changes, and seasonal campaigns
Manage and control the packaging budget for the site 

Profile

The successful candidate is likely to demonstrate:

Proven experience in a packaging‑focused role within FMCG (food manufacturing highly advantageous)
Strong knowledge of packaging materials, formats, and print processes
Solid project management capability, with experience delivering multiple initiatives simultaneously
Confidence working in customer‑facing and supplier‑management environments
Excellent organisational and time‑management skills
A collaborative, cross‑functional working style
Ability to perform well under pressure and meet tight deadlines
Working knowledge of packaging legislation and compliance requirements
A proactive, confident approach with the ability to challenge existing processes and drive improvement 

Job Offer

Salary circa £50,000
Hybrid working
Enhanced employer pension contribution
25 days holiday plus bank holidays

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