Packaging Manager

St Austell Brewery; St. Austell; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discount on food & drink

Discount on accommodation

Training & career development

Pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Company bonus scheme

Westfield Health cash plan

Westfield Rewards

Free parking

Job summary

St Austell Brewery is seeking a Packaging Manager to lead the Packaging Team and oversee bottling, kegging and cask racking within a 24/5 production environment. You’ll translate the production plan into effective packaging schedules, ensuring on-time delivery to the required standards while upholding safety and quality.

You’ll collaborate with Production, Engineering and Quality colleagues, coach team members, manage materials and waste streams, and drive continuous improvement to cut downtime

Qualifications

• Experience leading a packaging or production team in FMCG.
• Knowledge of packaging processes from bottling to finished product.
• Hygiene, safety and quality standards within production.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Packaging Team to deliver high performance.
• Oversee bottling, kegging and cask racking in a 24/5 setup.
• Deliver weekly packaging schedules with Planning and ops teams.
• Ensure safety, quality, housekeeping and audit actions are followed.
• Manage packaging materials, waste streams and ullage.
• Support new SKUs and drive continuous improvement to cut downtime.

Skills

Team leadership

Problem solving

Continuous improvement mindset

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Commercial awareness

Education

IBD General Certificate

IOSH Managing Safely

HACCP Level 2

Currently working towards Diploma

Job description

The Role:

We are looking for a Packaging Manager to lead our Packaging Team and oversee the day-to-day operations of our bottling, kegging and cask racking areas. As part of the Production Management Team, you’ll be responsible for the safe, efficient and effective delivery of the Packaging Plan, ensuring production schedules are achieved on time, in budget and to the required quality standards. You’ll work closely with Production, Engineering and Quality colleagues to translate wider production strategy into effective packaging plans, while acting as the senior technical point of contact for packaging-related issues and escalations. You’ll also lead on health and safety within your area, helping to embed a strong safety and people-first culture, alongside driving continuous improvement to improve efficiency and minimise downtime.

What you’ll be doing:

Leading, developing and supporting the Packaging Team to deliver a high-performing, people-focused operation.

• Overseeing the safe and effective operation of bottling, kegging and cask racking across a 24/5 production environment.
• Agreeing and delivering the weekly Packaging Production Schedule, working closely with Production Planning and wider operational teams.
• Ensuring packaging production is delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.
• Taking responsibility for Packaging Quality Standards, hygiene and housekeeping, including supporting audits and ensuring actions are completed.
• Leading on health and safety within the Packaging area, ensuring risk assessments and SOPs are effective, up to date and embedded.
• Managing packaging materials, chemicals and waste streams effectively.
• Supporting complaint investigations and ensuring appropriate actions are completed within agreed timescales.
• Managing ullage effectively and ensuring relevant standards and controls are maintained.
• Supporting the introduction of new SKUs, ensuring they are produced and implemented in line with the agreed plan.
• Driving continuous improvement across Packaging to improve efficiency, reduce waste and minimise downtime.
• Working collaboratively with Production, Engineering and Quality teams across our production sites, as well as suppliers and contractors where required.
• Coaching and developing team members, supporting succession planning and building capability across the Packaging Team.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience working in a Production environment leading a team.
• Experience within a similar FMCG, food, bottling or manufacturing environment.
• A strong understanding of production processes from processed beer to finished product.
• Proven experience of managing and developing teams, with the ability to provide both support and challenge.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a curious, continuous improvement mindset.
• Good knowledge and understanding of health, safety, hygiene and quality standards within a production environment.
• IBD General Certificate, or currently working towards the Diploma.
• HACCP Level 2 or higher.
• IOSH Managing Safely, or the ability to complete this within six months.
• The ability to communicate effectively and build strong working relationships across Production, Engineering, Quality and wider teams.
• A proactive and commercially aware approach, with a focus on delivering against production plans, budgets and operational KPIs.
• Candidates with experience working in an environment with BRC or similar quality accreditation will have an advantage.

The benefits:

• 30% discount on food & drink within the managed estate & Visitors Centre.
• 50% discount on accommodation within the managed estate.
• Fantastic training & career development opportunities.
• Pension Scheme – 4% Employee and Employer. Can increase to 5% if required.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Company bonus scheme.
• Westfield Health cash plan – claim money back for Dental, Eye Care, Physio etc.
• Westfield Rewards – shopping rewards.
• Free parking.

Additional Information:

St Austell Brewery is an Equal Opportunities employer. We encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. We also welcome requests for flexible working.

If you would like any further information please email: [e-mail]