Packaging Manager

About the Role

The Packaging Manager owns packaging end to end — sourcing it, developing it, and making

sure every product reaches a child’s hands beautifully presented, fully protected and at the right

cost. From primary packs to mailers, inserts and secondary packaging, you turn design intent and

product needs into manufacturable, cost-efficient packaging that performs in transit and on the shelf.

Sitting within Sourcing & Procurement, you’ll build and manage the packaging vendor base, own

specs, dielines and material choices, drive cost and sustainability, and partner closely with Design

(who own look and unboxing), Quality and Supply. It’s a hands-on, commercial and detail-heavy role

for someone who knows both the factory floor and the spec sheet.

What You’ll Own

Packaging Sourcing & Cost

• Build and manage the packaging vendor base — identify, evaluate, negotiate and onboard

suppliers across paper, corrugate, flexible films, rigid and printed packaging.

• Own packaging cost, MOQs, lead times and payment terms, driving sustained reduction in

packaging cost per order without compromising protection or brand.

• Maintain dual-sourcing for critical packaging so supply is never at risk.

Packaging Development & Specs

• Translate product and design needs into manufacturable packaging — structures, dimensions,

materials, finishes and dielines.

• Develop and approve specs, samples and pre-production runs with vendors, and maintain a

clean, version-controlled spec and artwork library.

• Partner with Design — who own the look and unboxing — to make sure brand intent survives

manufacturing.

Quality, Protection & Sustainability

• Own packaging performance — drop, compression and transit testing — to reduce damage-in-

transit and returns.

• Optimise pack and box sizes for dim-weight efficiency and shipping cost, balancing protection

and cost.

• Drive eco-friendly, sustainable packaging — material selection, right-sizing and recyclability —

toward standards.

Cross-Functional & Supply

• Plan packaging availability against demand and launches with Supply and Planning, so

packaging never holds up dispatch.

• Work with Quality on incoming packaging checks and with Operations / Fulfilment on packing

standards and efficiency.

• Coordinate packaging for new product launches end to end, from brief to first dispatch.

What We’re Looking For

• 2–4 years in packaging sourcing, packaging development or procurement for a physical-product

business — ideally consumer products, D2C, FMCG, houseware or kitchenware.

• Strong command of packaging materials and processes — corrugate, paperboard, flexible

films, rigid and printed packaging, dielines and finishes.

• Hands-on experience sourcing and managing packaging vendors, and negotiating cost, MOQs

and lead times.

• Able to read and create specs and dielines, and judge manufacturability and protection.

• Experience with transit / drop testing and reducing damage-in-transit, plus dim-weight and cost

optimisation.

• Working knowledge of sustainable packaging materials and right-sizing.

• Organised, commercial and detail-oriented, comfortable with vendor and factory visits, and

• confident with costing in Excel / Sheets.