Head of Packaging

The HEINEKEN Company; Tadcaster; On-site; GBP 93,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage company is seeking a Packaging Manager to oversee operations for iconic brands. The role involves leading teams to achieve targets in safety, quality, and efficiency, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in packaging operations, strong leadership abilities, and a passion for people development. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits including an annual bonus and flexible benefits package.

Benefits

Annual bonus

Flexible benefits

Company funded Private Medical Healthcare

Double matched pension contributions

35 days holiday

Monthly case of ciders and beers

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in high-speed packaging or beverage manufacturing.
• Strong technical understanding of packaging operations.
• Demonstrated success in leading and motivating teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire your team to meet targets for volume, quality, cost, and service.
• Champion safety and compliance across the department.
• Drive continuous improvement using performance data.

Skills

Leadership

Change management

Operational excellence

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree level education or equivalent

Tools

Lean methodologies

Six Sigma

TPM

WCOM

Job description

Packaging Manager (Head of Department)

Function: Supply Chain

Location: Tadcaster

Salary: Circa £92,500 depending on experience + annual performance bonus + flexible benefits (15% of base salary can be taken as cash, benefits, or a mix of both) plus full benefits listed below.

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 16th December 2025. Please note, we may close vacancies early where we receive significant numbers of applications. Interviews are likely to take place in the New Year.

Asthe nation’s leading pub, cider and beer company and the name behind a host of brilliant brands, we’re looking for equally brilliant people to help us on our journey to building a better future.

Are you ready to lead world‑class packaging operations for some of our most iconic brands?

The Role

We’re looking for a Packaging Manager to lead and optimise our packaging function across Can, Keg, PET and Bottling. In this role, you’ll create a high‑performance culture, empowering teams to deliver against safety, quality, cost, and service targets while driving continuous improvement through TPM and best‑in‑class manufacturing practices.

This is a key leadership position where your decisions will shape the efficiency, quality, and innovation of our packaging operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire your team to meet targets for volume, quality, cost, and service.
• Champion safety and compliance, ensuring the highest standards of health, safety, and hygiene across the department.
• Drive continuous improvement through TPM Next, using performance data and insights to identify opportunities and deliver sustainable gains.
• Standardise processes and enhance equipment capability, working collaboratively with OEMs and aligning Autonomous and Preventative Maintenance strategies.
• Develop and upskill teams to create a safe, capable, and flexible workforce ready to respond to changing business and consumer needs.
• Foster high performance and engagement through effective coaching, communication, and development planning.
• Champion innovation and best practices, supporting the brewery’s vision and strategic goals.
• Play an active leadership role on site, influencing beyond your department and driving collaboration.

About You

We’re looking for a proactive, results‑driven leader with a strong technical foundation, experience in maintenance and a passion for people development. You’ll need to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on leadership, creating an environment where your team feels empowered, engaged, and equipped to deliver at pace.

You’ll bring:

• Proven experience (5+ years) in high‑speed packaging or beverage manufacturing, ideally in a fast‑paced FMCG environment.
• A deep technical understanding of packaging operations (Can, Keg, PET, Bottling) and emerging packaging technologies.
• Demonstrated success in leading and motivating teams, building a high‑performance culture, and driving engagement.
• Strong change management experience, with the ability to lead transformation and embed continuous improvement.
• Expertise in operational excellence tools and methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, WCOM).
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen, capable of using data to drive performance improvements and make informed decisions.
• A passion for safety, quality, and sustainability, ensuring standards are never compromised.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills to engage stakeholders at all levels, from shop floor teams to senior leadership.
• Degree level education or equivalent (IBD Packaging qualification preferred).

If you’re passionate about operational excellence, people leadership, and delivering outstanding quality, apply now and shape the future of packaging with us.

Our Benefits

• Annual bonus
• Flexible benefits (15% of base salary can be taken as cash, benefits, or a mix of both)
• Company funded Private Medical Healthcare
• Double matched pension contributions (up to 10%)
• 35 days holiday (with the opportunity to buy/sell)
• A monthly case of our delicious ciders and beers!
• Exciting opportunities to develop your career

You’ll also get the opportunity to get involved with one of our colleague networks where groups of colleagues from all over the business work together to ensure we’re always working towards being a diverse and inclusive company.

The application

If you like what you’ve read and want to explore this opportunity further, please apply before the closing date listed at the top of the advert.

Please note, we may close vacancies early where we receive significant numbers of applications, so don’t delay!

If you need any adjustments made to support your application, for example if you require information in different formats, or if you have any accessibility issues, then we’re more than happy to review our processes – please feel free to get in touch with us at [e-mail].

In all likelihood the ideal candidate for this role won’t meet every single requirement in this advert, in fact we all need the opportunity to grow and develop in role. We understand some applicants are less likely to apply to jobs unless they feel they meet every single qualification. The team at HEINEKEN would encourage you to submit an application if the advert has piqued your interest rather than ruling yourself out based on any self‑limiting beliefs. You never know, you may be exactly what we’re looking for!

Who We Are

We’ve 150 years of brewing history and are proud of this legacy. Yet we’re sure our best days are ahead of us. Every one of our colleagues has a role to play as we dream big, set bold ambitions and push the boundaries. We support colleagues on this journey with development opportunities and unique experiences to help them reach their full potential.

Apply today to discover Your Future, Untapped.