Packaging Manager - Fresh Produce

Interpersonnel Uk; Ware; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Packaging Manager to oversee the entire product packaging process from supplier negotiations to sustainability initiatives. This role involves managing inventory control, ensuring compliance with various standards, and maintaining supplier relationships. Ideal candidates will have proven experience in packaging procurement, strong negotiation and computer skills, and excellent commercial acumen. This position offers a hybrid working model based in Kings Hill, Kent.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a planning and packaging procurement role.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to build supplier relationships.
• High level of computer literacy.

Responsibilities

• Full ownership of IFCO and EPS tracking and management.
• Manage and control packaging and trays budgets.
• Provide real-time delivery tracking from growers.

Skills

Planning and packaging procurement experience

Strong negotiation skills

High level of computer literacy

Proficient in data accuracy and reporting

Excellent commercial acumen

Job description

Overview

Location: Kings Hill, Kent. Hybrid working model with some occasional travel to Essex.

Type: Full-time | Permanent

Are you ready to take full ownership of a brand-new role with real autonomy? We’re looking for a Packaging Manager to lead and oversee our entire product packaging process—from supplier negotiations to sustainability initiatives.

A key part of this role involves managing IFCO and EPS tray tracking, providing real-time visibility of deliveries from growers and overseeing tray movements and schedules. Enabling better inventory control, faster issue resolution, increased transparency, and ensuring audit readiness.

Responsibilities

• Full ownership of IFCO and EPS tracking and management
• Manage and control packaging and trays budgets
• Maintain optimum stock levels for packaging and consumables
• Provide real-time delivery tracking from growers and manage tray movements and schedules
• Negotiate with suppliers to secure the best pricing and terms
• Track KPIs including packaging waste and consumption trends
• Manage depot packaging stock and verify CFUK retailers’ packaging stock
• Engage with packaging innovations and new product development to reduce costs and waste
• Oversee packaging supplier relationships, specifications, certifications, and customer requirements
• Ensure compliance with legal, food safety, organic, Fairtrade, ethical, and environmental standards
• Maintain continuity of supply for all packaging materials and processes

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a planning and packaging procurement role
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to build supplier relationships
• High level of computer literacy
• Proficient in data accuracy and reporting
• Excellent commercial acumen, which encompasses strong financial knowledge

Interpersonnel Recruitment is operating as an Employment Agency for our client for this particular role. By applying you give consent for your data to be handled and processed under GDPR Legislation for the purpose of your current employment search.

We ask that all applicants already have Right to Work UK documentation in place and on file.

We are pleased to receive a significant number of applications for most roles advertised. We are therefore unable to respond to individual applicants unless shortlisted. If you have not been contacted within four weeks of the closing date you should assume you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

Interpersonnel is an equal opportunities employer. All our current vacancies are on our website – search “Interpersonnel UK Ltd”