Packaging Manager - Fresh Produce

A hands-on packaging role where you own both the specification and the supply: what the packaging is, who makes it, what it costs and whether it's on site when production needs it.

Packaging Manager - Fresh Produce

Lincolnshire
Site-based
Up to £45,000 depending on experience + discretionary bonus
Permanent

The Opportunity

We're supporting a well-established fresh produce business with the appointment of a Packaging Manager.

This isn't a packhouse or production management role, and it isn't purely technical or purely buying either. You'll run packaging for the site end to end, from specifications and compliance through to suppliers, stock and costings, supporting several internal customers and working closely with production, technical and commercial teams.

You'll also own the packaging data behind EPR and PPWR reporting, which is an increasingly important part of the job across the industry.

It would suit someone who likes detail and is comfortable being the person everyone turns to when packaging goes wrong.

Key Responsibilities

Maintain BOMs, packaging specifications, cutter guides and POP sheets.
Ensure packaging meets BRC, customer and legal requirements, supporting audits, corrective actions, supplier risk assessments and traceability.
Manage packaging suppliers and buy packaging materials, including reviews, tenders and new supplier or material evaluations.
Forecast packaging requirements from production plans and manage stock, reconciliation and obsolete stock.
Prepare packaging costings for new products, tenders and customer proposals, and drive cost and waste reduction.
Lead and train the Packaging Storeman, and resolve packaging issues quickly when production needs a Plan B.

What We're Looking For

You'll have packaging management experience from fresh produce, food manufacturing or FMCG. Fresh produce would be ideal, but broader food and FMCG packaging experience is relevant.

The ideal person brings both sides: a strong grasp of packaging materials, specifications and compliance (BRC or similar), and experience managing suppliers, buying and stock. If your background leans more technical or more towards packaging buying, we'd still like to hear from you, as long as you understand the other side.

You'll also need to be confident with data, forecasting and cost analysis.

Why Join?

You'd be the packaging lead for the site, with real ownership and a direct impact on cost, compliance and supply. The role has variety: suppliers, customers, trials, sustainability improvements, industry shows and supplier visits.

You'd be joining a well-established fresh produce business with real scale behind it, at a time when sustainable packaging and EPR reporting are moving up the agenda. It's a replacement hire, with a handover planned.

The package is up to £45,000 plus discretionary bonus and benefits.

If you're interested in learning more, we'd be happy to have a confidential conversation