Packaging Development Assistant

MATALAN; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent retail company in Liverpool is seeking a Sourcing & Supply Management professional. The ideal candidate will build and maintain relationships with packaging suppliers, manage packaging development, and support sustainability efforts. The role demands strong communication, organizational skills, and attention to detail. Benefits include a staff discount and career development opportunities. Join a team that values equality and inclusiveness.

Benefits

20% staff discount

Thrive Recognition Scheme

Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust

Life Assurance

Retail Rewards platform

Pension Scheme

Access to a wide range of career development

Responsibilities

• Building and maintaining relationships with key packaging suppliers globally.
• Manage ticket and product packaging development from artwork approval to system setup.
• Responsible for sampling and communicating sample approvals to print partners.
• Manage day-to-day issues from suppliers to maintain KPI's and service agreements.
• Identify opportunities to develop locally sourced packaging with printers.
• Deal with daily queries from product suppliers to meet delivery dates.

Skills

Experience of working within a similar role

Effective communications skills

Ability to build and maintain strong relationships

Ability to manage multiple tasks and stakeholders

Good organisational skills

Strong attention to detail

Job description

About Matalan

From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, find out about how Matalan is ever-evolving here. We know as a team, we are stronger together - we champion equality for all and make lasting connections that go beyond work. We thrive off our inclusive culture, encouraging our colleagues to bring their true selves to work and contributing to collective creativity, open‑mindedness and growth. We want give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know. In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.

About the role

Sourcing & Supply Management

• Building and maintaining relationships with key packaging suppliers globally
• Manage and support on ticket, label and product packaging development across Fashion and Home from artwork approval to system setup.
• Responsible for sampling, working with the Packaging Design Team to communicate sample approvals/rejections to nominated print partners
• Manage day to day issues from Matalan's mandated Ticket/Label suppliers to maintain the agreed KPI's and service agreement
• Identifying opportunities to develop locally sourced packaging with our mandated printers to achieve quality consistency, cost benefits and facilitate supply chain visibility
• Deal with daily queries from product suppliers in conjunction with mandated printers to ensure delivery dates and turnaround times are met to achieve on time product delivery in line with business-critical path.

Process

• Monitor and track sample process, regularly updating the packaging development and design team with progress
• Own the Matalan Packaging Guidelines, working closely with packaging design team to ensure they are fully up to date and readily available for Matalan suppliers
• Liaise with mandated print partners, reviewing and managing stocks, open orders and ongoing developments
• Manage any store roll outs / re‑pricing required by the business
• Undertake 6 monthly OPRL audit

Quality assurance

• Provide guidance and education on packing methods, issues and compliance requirements.

Sustainability & ESG

• Support packaging development manager with the sustainability strategy for packaging reduction
• Support product development to utilise sustainable materials for our packaging, whilst balancing cost as a value retailer

Packaging Waste & Legislation

• Support the collection and submission of packaging waste, Plastic Tax and EPR data requirements when necessary.

About You

• Experience of working within a similar role
• Effective communications skills
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships both internally and externally
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, stakeholders and deadlines
• Good organisational skills
• Strong attention to detail

Benefits

In addition to competitive salaries, we also offer the below core benefits:

• 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service
• Thrive Recognition Scheme
• Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust
• Life Assurance
• Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers
• Pension Scheme
• Access to a wide range of career development
• Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business