Procurement Specialist

Elizabeth Michael Associates LTD; Luton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Job summary

Packaging & Procurement Specialist role in Luton is office-based, with a salary of £32,000-£35,000 plus an annual bonus and flexible hours from 8:30am to 5:00pm.

You will join the Procurement Team to own packaging quality, design, supplier performance and cost-saving initiatives across the portfolio, collaborating with Procurement, Artwork, NPD, Marketing and Operations. This is a varied role that blends packaging expertise with supplier management and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in packaging, procurement, product development or a related manufacturing environment.
• Experience in food manufacturing or bakery is advantageous but not essential.
• An understanding of packaging materials and their performance in production.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to identify cost-saving opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Packaging Design: Manage the structural design and suitability of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging materials.
• Quality & Materials: Monitor packaging quality, assess materials and work with suppliers to resolve issues.
• Cost Savings: Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve value across the packaging portfolio.
• Operational Efficiency: Improve packaging performance, support automation projects and enhance manufacturing processes.
• Logistics: Ensure packaging is suitable for storage, handling and transportation while identifying efficiency savings.
• Supplier Management: Build strong relationships with suppliers through regular communication, performance reviews and site visits.
• New Product Development: Work with NPD and Marketing teams on own-label and branded products, ensuring packaging meets technical and commercial requirements.
• Sustainability: Support initiatives to improve recyclability, reduce packaging waste and enhance environmental performance.
• Project Management: Coordinate packaging projects from concept through to implementation.
• Procurement Support: Contribute to sourcing strategies and wider Procurement initiatives.

Skills

Packaging

Procurement

Supplier management

Project management

Sustainability

Job description

Packaging & Procurement Specialist

Location: Luton (office-based)

Salary: £32,000-£35,000 + annual bonus

Hours: 8:30am-5:00pm, with flexibility

The Opportunity

I'm working with a client in Luton who is looking to recruit a Packaging & Procurement Specialist to join their Procurement Team. This varied role offers the opportunity to take ownership of packaging quality, design, supplier performance and cost-saving initiatives across their portfolio.

Working closely with Procurement, Artwork, NPD, Marketing and Operations, you'll play an important role in ensuring packaging materials are fit for purpose, commercially competitive, efficient in production and aligned with sustainability goals.

If you enjoy combining packaging knowledge with supplier management, project work and continuous improvement, this could be an excellent opportunity to develop your career.

Key Responsibilities

• Packaging Design: Manage the structural design and suitability of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging materials.
• Quality & Materials: Monitor packaging quality, assess materials and work with suppliers to resolve issues.
• Cost Savings: Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve value across the packaging portfolio.
• Operational Efficiency: Improve packaging performance, support automation projects and enhance manufacturing processes.
• Logistics: Ensure packaging is suitable for storage, handling and transportation while identifying efficiency savings.
• Supplier Management: Build strong relationships with suppliers through regular communication, performance reviews and site visits.
• New Product Development: Work with NPD and Marketing teams on own-label and branded products, ensuring packaging meets technical and commercial requirements.
• Sustainability: Support initiatives to improve recyclability, reduce packaging waste and enhance environmental performance.
• Project Management: Coordinate packaging projects from concept through to implementation.
• Procurement Support: Contribute to sourcing strategies and wider Procurement initiatives.

About You

My client is keen to hear from candidates who have:

• Experience in packaging, procurement, product development or a related manufacturing environment.
• Experience in food manufacturing or bakery, which would be advantageous but is not essential.
• An understanding of packaging materials and their performance in production.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Experience working with suppliers and collaborating across teams.
• An interest in sustainable packaging and waste reduction.

You'll be proactive, organised and comfortable managing your own priorities, with strong communication skills and a practical, solutions-focused approach.

If you have experience in packaging or procurement and are looking for a role where you can make a genuine impact, I'd love to hear from you.