Packaging Manager
1 day ago
Cambridge
A fast-growing, values-led FMCG business is entering an exciting new phase of innovation and international expansion. As part of this journey, we are seeking a Senior Packaging Manager / Head of Packaging to lead the safety, quality, and development of a diverse packaging portfolio. This is a senior, high-impact role with responsibility for shaping and delivering packaging strategy, driving innovation, and ensuring best-in-class technical standards across multiple manufacturing sites and partners. You will operate cross-functionally, influencing teams across R&D, Technical, Operations, and Supply Chain, while building strong relationships with suppliers and co-manufacturers. Key Responsibilities • Lead the safety, compliance, and quality of all packaging across the product portfolio, ensuring adherence to UK and international regulations, • Own and evolve packaging specifications and systems, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and consistency, • Drive packaging innovation and new format development to support growth and sustainability goals, • Lead packaging strategy projects, aligning with wider business and environmental targets, • Improve product performance through a deep understanding of packaging interactions (e.g. shelf life, product integrity), • Identify root causes of packaging-related quality issues and implement improvement plans across sites, • Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver packaging solutions for new product development, • Manage packaging change control, non-conformance processes, and supplier performance, • Build strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturing partners, including KPI setting and audit programmes, • Support compliance with sustainability initiatives and reporting requirements (e.g. plastics, EPR), • Contribute to continuous improvement, cost optimisation, and long-term capability building About You You are a technically strong and commercially aware packaging professional who thrives in a fast-paced, innovation-led environment. Essential: • Degree (or equivalent) in Packaging, Food Science, or a related discipline, • Strong experience in packaging within FMCG or food manufacturing, • Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects, • Knowledge of packaging compliance, safety, and regulatory standards, • Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail, • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, • Ability to challenge constructively and drive improvements Desirable: • Experience delivering sustainable packaging initiatives, • Strong understanding of packaging within a circular economy, • Experience across multiple manufacturing sites or supply networks, • Knowledge of quality systems (e.g. BRC) and NPD processes, • Experience managing suppliers and external partners What You’ll Bring • A passion for innovation, sustainability, and high-quality products, • The ability to influence and inspire others across technical and non-technical teams, • Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, • A proactive, solutions-focused mindset What’s on Offer • A key leadership role within a growing and purpose-driven FMCG business, • Opportunity to shape packaging strategy and innovation at scale, • Exposure to a broad international supply base and manufacturing network, • A collaborative, values-driven culture with strong focus on development Additional Information • Hybrid working model, • Regular travel to UK manufacturing sites and suppliers, • Occasional international travel may be required