Procurement Manager – Packaging

PZ Cussons; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Pension

Life Assurance

Share Incentive Plan

Private medical

Health & wellbeing support

Flexible holidays

Hybrid car scheme

Cycle to work

Mortgage advice

Discounted products

Onsite gym

Job summary

PZ Cussons in Manchester is seeking a Procurement Manager - Packaging to lead category strategies, supplier partnerships, and cost optimization across our packaging portfolio. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver on-time, on-budget packaging solutions that align with our ambitious innovation plans.

The role requires strong analytical skills, stakeholder influence, and experience in FMCG packaging, with ERP/SAP experience being advantageous.

Qualifications

• Procurement or strategic sourcing experience within FMCG, manufacturing or packaging environments.
• Track record delivering commercial value through negotiations, supplier development and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Experience influencing stakeholders across operational, technical and commercial teams.
• Strong analytical skills; advanced Excel capability advantageous.
• Knowledge of category management, supplier relationship management and commercial negotiations.
• Understanding of packaging technologies, sustainability trends and supplier markets; MCIPS desirable.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver category strategies that strengthen supplier performance, unlock innovation and create competitive advantage across our packaging portfolio.
• Build trusted supplier partnerships that support business growth, improve resilience and drive continuous improvement.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to bring new products to market on time and on budget, ensuring packaging solutions support ambitious innovation plans.
• Identify and deliver cost‑saving and value‑engineering opportunities that improve margins while maintaining quality and service.
• Use market insight, sustainability trends and supplier intelligence to make informed decisions, manage risk and support future‑focused procurement strategies.
• Influence key business decisions through strong commercial judgement, data‑led thinking and collaborative stakeholder management.

Skills

Procurement experience

Value delivery via negotiations

Stakeholder influence

Advanced Excel

Category management

Packaging tech and sustainability

SAP / ERP experience

Tools

SAP

ERP experience

Job description

POSITION SNAPSHOT

Role: Procurement Manager - Packaging

Location: Manchester

Contract: Permanent

WHY US AND WHY THIS ROLE

Seize the opportunity to be part of a unique business with an exciting vision for the future - where we dare to be bold, discover what's possible, and do incredible. Dare. Discover. Do.

At PZ Cussons, we offer five big reasons that people join and stay: Futureproof Our Brands, Create Your Own Impact, Accelerate Your Craft, Flexibility to Perform, And Collaborate with Intent.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Develop and deliver category strategies that strengthen supplier performance, unlock innovation and create competitive advantage across our packaging portfolio.
• Build trusted supplier partnerships that support business growth, improve resilience and drive continuous improvement.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to bring new products to market on time and on budget, ensuring packaging solutions support ambitious innovation plans.
• Identify and deliver cost‑saving and value‑engineering opportunities that improve margins while maintaining quality and service.
• Use market insight, sustainability trends and supplier intelligence to make informed decisions, manage risk and support future‑focused procurement strategies.
• Influence key business decisions through strong commercial judgement, data‑led thinking and collaborative stakeholder management.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Procurement or strategic sourcing experience within FMCG, manufacturing or packaging environments.
• A track record of delivering commercial value through negotiations, supplier development and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Experience influencing stakeholders across operational, technical and commercial teams.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to turn data into practical business actions. Advanced Excel capability is advantageous.
• Knowledge of category management, supplier relationship management and commercial negotiations.
• An understanding of packaging technologies, sustainability trends and supplier markets. MCIPS qualification, or progress towards it, is desirable.
• Experience working with SAP or a similar ERP system would be beneficial.

WHAT YOU’LL GET IN RETURN

• Competitive annual bonus, pension, life assurance and Share Incentive Plan
• Private medical cover plus health & wellbeing support
• Flexible holiday options, including buy and accrual1pm Friday finish for better work‑life balance
• Hybrid/electric car scheme, cycle to work & free mortgage advice
• Discounted and complimentary PZ productsOnsite gym (where available)

OUR PURPOSE, CULTURE AND VALUES

At PZ Cussons, our purpose is For Everyone, For Life, For Good. Guided by our BEST values, Bold, Energetic, Striving and Together, we nurture a culture where people feel empowered to grow, perform and make a meaningful difference every day.

We retain the pioneering spirit of our founders, by building portfolios of locally‑loved brands across our key markets in the UK, ANZ, Nigeria and Indonesia, backed by the manufacturing scale and capability of a global business.

Spanning Personal, Home, and Baby Care, our products are trusted by millions of consumers worldwide, including Carex, Childs Farm, Cussons Baby, Imperial Leather, Morning Fresh, Original Source, Premier, Sanctuary Spa and St. Tropez.

INCLUSION AND FAIRNESS

We're committed to building diverse teams that reflect our consumers and communities, creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and able to thrive.

If you need any adjustments during the process, just let us know

Dare to be bold, Discover what's possible, and Do the incredible.