Packaging Manager - FMCG

Role: Head of Packaging | Salary: £70k + Benefits | Location: Kent | Monday–Friday

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced Packaging leader looking for a role where you can genuinely influence operational performance, efficiency and business growth?

Our client is a rapidly growing and established Fresh Produce specialist, operating across four UK sites. They are looking for an experienced Head of Packaging to take overall responsibility for the procurement, scheduling, warehousing, stock management, storage and issue of packaging materials across the business.

This is a key leadership position, overseeing a multi-disciplinary team of approximately 40 employees across Procurement, Packaging, Warehousing and Stock Control.

You’ll work closely with the Operations Director and senior leadership team, driving operational excellence, maintaining stock availability, improving processes and ensuring the business continues to deliver a high-quality and cost-effective service.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership: Take overall responsibility for packaging operations across four Kent sites, ensuring efficient, safe and effective day-to-day performance.

People Management: Lead, motivate, coach and develop a team of approximately 40 employees across Procurement, Packaging, Warehousing and Stock Control.

Procurement & Supplier Management: Oversee packaging procurement, supplier relationships, purchasing activity and tender processes, ensuring competitive agreements and reliable supply.

Stock Management: Maintain accurate stock levels, oversee replenishment, investigate discrepancies and ensure packaging availability meets operational requirements.

Systems & Controls: Take ownership of packaging stock management systems, ensuring accurate ERP data, WIP procedures, stock records and reporting.

Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement improvements across packaging, warehousing and stock processes to increase efficiency, reduce waste and improve service levels.

Performance & KPIs: Ensure relevant KPIs are accurately recorded, monitored and maintained, using data to identify issues and drive operational improvements.

Health & Safety: Ensure all packaging, warehousing and stock control activities are carried out in accordance with company policies, quality standards and Health & Safety requirements.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Work closely with Operations, Supply Chain and other departments to ensure packaging requirements are aligned with wider business objectives.

What You’ll Bring:

Leadership Experience: Proven experience managing and developing teams within a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

Operational Expertise: Strong knowledge of packaging, procurement, stock management, warehousing or supply chain operations.

Industry Experience: Ideally, experience within Fresh Produce, FMCG, Food Manufacturing, Manufacturing or a similar fast-moving environment.

Commercial Awareness: Experience managing suppliers, budgets, purchasing activity and cost-control initiatives.

Continuous Improvement: A strong understanding of continuous improvement principles, with a track record of implementing and delivering against operational plans.

Analytical Mindset: Confident working with stock data, KPIs, ERP systems and management information to identify opportunities and resolve issues.

Leadership Style: A visible, hands-on leader who can motivate, coach and develop people while maintaining high standards of performance.

Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels of the business.

Why Apply?

Impact: Take ownership of a critical business function and have a direct influence on operational performance, efficiency and cost.

Leadership: Lead and develop a large, multi-disciplinary team while working closely with senior leadership.

Variety: A genuinely broad role covering procurement, packaging, warehousing, stock control, suppliers and operations.

Growth: Join an established and growing Fresh Produce business where continuous improvement and operational excellence are key priorities.

Influence: Work closely with senior stakeholders and have the opportunity to shape processes, improve systems and drive meaningful change.

Career Development: An opportunity to take ownership of a significant function and play a key role within the wider leadership structure.

If you’re a hands-on operational leader with strong packaging, procurement or supply chain experience and the drive to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.