Packaging Manager

HERO Recruitment Ltd.; Ballina; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

HERO Recruitment Ltd. is seeking a Procurement Packaging Manager I for a temporary 22-month contract in Ireland.

You will combine strategic sourcing with market research to ensure PPWR compliance across our European network, researching trends and collaborating with suppliers globally. You will oversee supplier onboarding, conduct commodity analysis, and leverage SAP and analytics for spend and productivity reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in relevant field (MBA/APICS preferred).
• 8+ years in strategic sourcing, procurement or supply management, ideally global.
• Knowledge of packaging materials and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to interpret market intelligence and perform cost analysis.
• Digital fluency including SAP and analytics capabilities.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% in a matrix, cross-cultural environment.

Responsibilities

• Research trends, regulations, and material innovations to shape sourcing strategies.
• Lead supplier qualification and onboarding for packaging solutions meeting standards.
• Conduct commodity analysis (e.g., PET, HDPE, steel) and monitor economics for decisions.
• Negotiate and manage supplier agreements balancing cost, quality and risk.
• Use SAP and data tools to deliver spend analytics and cost modelling.
• Collaborate with regional stakeholders to drive sustainability and operational excellence.

Skills

Packaging materials knowledge

Regulatory compliance frameworks

Market intelligence & cost analysis

Cross-cultural collaboration

Travel up to 20% willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field

MBA or advanced degree; APICS certification

Tools

SAP

Advanced analytics tools

Job description

Procurement Packaging Manager I Temporary Contract 22mths

Our client is a major food/beverage manufacturer. You will be joining a global organization with the limitless opportunity to learn and grow.

In this role, you will combine strategic sourcing expertise with deep market research to ensure compliance with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) across our European network. You will research and investigate emerging trends, commodities, and technologies to identify future-ready materials, while collaborating with suppliers, operations, and stakeholders across the globe.

Benefits: Full benefits package that starts on day one of employment.

Learning & Development: The ability to work with a world class manufacturing team in state of the art manufacturing facilities.

In this role you will:

• Research industry trends, regulations, and material innovations to develop sourcing strategies aligned to current and future business needs.
• Lead supplier qualification and onboarding for new packaging solutions that meet compliance and performance standards.
• Conduct commodity analysis (e.g., PET, HDPE, steel) and monitor economic factors to enable informed sourcing and pricing decisions.
• Negotiate and manage supplier agreements that balance cost, quality, and risk mitigation.
• Utilize SAP and data tools to deliver spend analytics, cost modelling, and productivity reporting for packaging initiatives.
• Partner with stakeholders across regions to manage packaging projects that advance sustainability and operational excellence.

Qualification & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience). Preferred: MBA or advanced degree; certifications such as APICS.
• 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply management, ideally with global category expertise.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials and regulatory compliance frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret market intelligence, conduct cost analysis, and translate insights into actions.
• Digital fluency, including SAP expertise and advanced analytics capabilities.
• Excellent collaboration skills in a matrixed, cross-cultural environment; willingness to travel up to 20%.

Please Note: Under its obligation under the Data Protection legislation, HERO Recruitment will not forward your details to any company without your prior approval. Data can only be transferred outside of the EEA on the basis of standards contractual clauses, to a country for whom an adequacy decision has been given by the European Commission or where the express permission of the data subject has been given. You have supplied us with your personal data in the process of applying for a position. Our client company may have personnel outside of the EEA who will review you data. We will apply the appropriate criteria in respect of the data transfer depending on the location of those personnel.