Retail Packaging Manager

A popular name on the UK’s high street is expanding its in-house packaging department that focuses on form, function, materials, sustainability, and cost of primary, secondary and transport packaging.

They are looking to recruit a Packaging Manager with multi-year experience working in a packaging management role within a large multinational business in the retail industry. The objective of this role will be to support development of the packaging strategy and build alignment across the business to support execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Consider multiple elements of the supply chain from sourcing, inbound, warehouse and transport, retail, consumer and post-consumer use in packaging strategy design
• Develop and own enterprise wide packaging targets and drive progress toward meeting them
• Manage the pipeline of packaging initiatives across the business from NPD to retrospective changes on targeted areas
• Actively seek out packaging innovation through NGO, supplier partnerships, primary market research and push ways for the brand to use packaging as a differentiator from competition. Explore ways to move to circularity in our packaging using more sustainable materials.
• Take on project management activities for large packaging conversions or elimination projects
• Own and identify continuous improvement opportunities for the packaging business process (from briefing to launch), reporting on activities, demand and support resource planning
• Explore opportunities to improve consistency of packaging across the business in order to simplify management and improve efficiency and cost
• By working closely with the packaging coordinators continuously improve and ensure the packaging manual is maintained and communicated with suppliers
• Forecasting, ordering and supplier management where nomination of packaging supplier is the chosen route
• Help setup new supply chains with nominated packaging suppliers where appropriate
• Develop escalation & reporting mechanism for packaging issues to be highlighted and solved
• Identify opportunities to improve the cost of packaging through efficiency, design or economies of scale, work with colleagues and the business to align on and execute opportunities
• Build methodologies to monitor compliance to packaging standards
• Highlight success stories and problem areas that need to be addressed in the packaging space
• Partner with other members of the packaging team to develop end to end packaging solutions that meet product needs and ensure they are consistently on brand
• Dotted line management of 3 packaging coordinators

Experience

• Expertise in developing and building strategies
• Understanding of packaging regulations and industry best practice and standards
• Experience in regular reporting and performance management
• Ability to lead teams in a matrix environment and drive change through effective influencing
• Working knowledge of packaging suppliers and their capabilities
• Experience of the buying process in the fashion industry either directly or indirectly
• Proven experience of managing packaging suppliers from contract management, forecasting, innovation and QBR’s
• Experience of working with packaging suppliers internationally and supporting nomination/forecasting
• Proven ability in previous roles to drive change in complex, matrix organisations in the packaging space
• Knowledge of packaging regulations and compliance requirements, strong awareness of ethical sourcing and corporate social responsibility issues
• Demonstrated ability to forge close business relationships with internal and external stakeholders at senior management levels
• Proven track record of developing strategic partnerships with key suppliers

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent strategic thinking and project management skills
• Ability to meet deadlines and work in a fast pace, matrix environment
• Able to prioritise effectively and manage business expectations
• Strong business and commercial acumen
• Tenacious and determined
• Collaborative and proactive in style
• High attention to detail
• Self-motivated, focused and results orientated
• Driven with proven track record of success
• Ability to influence senior internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to travel as required (>20%)