Project Manager

MacGregor Black; Reading; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

MacGregor Black, Reading-based, is seeking a Project Manager to own launches from idea to retailer shelf. You will coordinate packaging, production, trade marketing, sales and supply chain to deliver on time and to specification.

The role also leads packaging innovations, supplier management across borders, and progress reporting with dashboards. Travel to trade shows in the UK and abroad is expected to support sustainability-focused merchandising strategies.

Qualifications

• Proven experience coordinating complex cross-functional projects from initiation to delivery.
• Background in packaging, project management or product management in FMCG.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects to deadline.
• Strong stakeholder management with buy-in across internal teams and external partners.
• Experience with suppliers and vendors, ideally internationally.

Responsibilities

• Manage rebranding projects end to end, coordinating input from brand, creative, product management, suppliers and external agencies
• Coordinate all teams involved in new product launches, including product management, supply chain, production, trade marketing, sales and communications, owning the project from initial idea to retailer shelf
• Track launch timelines, milestones and dependencies, flagging risks early and keeping stakeholders aligned
• Lead updates to existing packaging and the introduction of new materials, including sustainable alternatives and reduced single-use packaging
• Manage packaging with suppliers and vendors worldwide, including R&D and quality control
• Benchmark in-store packaging, display and experience, identifying innovations such as digital, augmented reality and links to video or related products
• Benchmark competitor and category shelf display to inform new merchandising concepts
• Provide guidance on merchandising direction across brands and lead updates to existing concepts
• Develop new merchandising concepts with product managers and trade marketing managers, who adapt and implement them for their markets
• Build buy-in for project plans, both internally and with key external partners
• Create project tools, tracking documents and status updates, including Gantt charts and dashboards, and communicate progress clearly to the business
• Attend trade shows in the UK and abroad

Skills

Cross-functional coordination

Project management

Stakeholder management

Organisational skills

Packaging knowledge

FMCG/consumer goods

International collaboration

Travel willingness

Leadership

Tools

Gantt charts

Dashboards

Job description

Want to own a product launch from first idea to retailer shelf?

Do you have views on how packaging can sell a brand and cut waste at the same time?

Can you keep a dozen teams aligned and a launch on time?

MacGregor Black is partnering with a leading consumer goods business on the search for a Project Manager based in Reading.

This role takes end-to-end ownership of product launches, rebrands and key strategic initiatives, coordinating supply chain, production, product management, trade marketing and sales to deliver on time and to specification. It also leads the business's thinking on packaging and merchandising: how they meet consumer and customer needs, differentiate the brands on shelf and support sustainability ambitions. The business sells in markets around the world, so the role involves working with suppliers and partners internationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage rebranding projects end to end, coordinating input from brand, creative, product management, suppliers and external agencies
• Coordinate all teams involved in new product launches, including product management, supply chain, production, trade marketing, sales and communications, owning the project from initial idea to retailer shelf
• Track launch timelines, milestones and dependencies, flagging risks early and keeping stakeholders aligned
• Lead updates to existing packaging and the introduction of new materials, including sustainable alternatives and reduced single-use packaging
• Manage packaging with suppliers and vendors worldwide, including R&D and quality control
• Benchmark in-store packaging, display and experience, identifying innovations such as digital, augmented reality and links to video or related products
• Benchmark competitor and category shelf display to inform new merchandising concepts
• Provide guidance on merchandising direction across brands and lead updates to existing concepts
• Develop new merchandising concepts with product managers and trade marketing managers, who adapt and implement them for their markets
• Build buy-in for project plans, both internally and with key external partners
• Create project tools, tracking documents and status updates, including Gantt charts and dashboards, and communicate progress clearly to the business
• Attend trade shows in the UK and abroad

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience coordinating complex, cross-functional projects from initiation through to delivery
• A background in packaging, project management or product management, ideally within FMCG or consumer goods
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects to deadline
• Strong stakeholder management, with the ability to build buy-in across internal teams and external partners
• Experience working with suppliers and vendors, ideally internationally
• A critical thinker who brings ideas and initiative to the team, with a positive, proactive approach
• Confident with project tools and reporting, including Gantt charts and dashboards
• Willingness to travel to trade shows in the UK and abroad