Job Title: Retail Packaging Manager
The organization is seeking a strategic and experienced Packaging Manager to join their team. This role will be responsible for developing and executing the packaging strategy, aligning with business objectives, and driving change in a matrix environment.
* Develop and own enterprise-wide packaging targets and drive progress toward meeting them.
* Manage the pipeline of packaging initiatives across the business from new product development to retrospective changes on targeted areas.
* Actively seek out packaging innovation through NGO, supplier partnerships, primary market research, and push ways for the brand to use packaging as a differentiator from competition.
* Take on project management activities for large packaging conversions or elimination projects.
* Own and identify continuous improvement opportunities for the packaging business process, from briefing to launch, reporting on activities, demand, and support resource planning.
* Explore opportunities to improve consistency of packaging across the business in order to simplify management and improve efficiency and cost.
* By working closely with the packaging coordinators continuously improve and ensure the packaging manual is maintained and communicated with suppliers.
* Forecasting, ordering, and supplier management where nomination of packaging supplier is the chosen route.
* Help set up new supply chains with nominated packaging suppliers where appropriate.
* Develop escalation & reporting mechanism for packaging issues to be highlighted and solved.
* Identify opportunities to improve the cost of packaging through efficiency, design, or economies of scale, work with colleagues and the business to align on and execute opportunities.
* Build methodologies to monitor compliance to packaging standards.
* Highlight success stories and problem areas that need to be addressed in the packaging space.
* Partner with other members of the packaging team to develop end-to-end packaging solutions that meet product needs and ensure they are consistently on brand.
* Dotted line management of 3 packaging coordinators.
Experience and Skills:
* Expertise in developing and building strategies.
* Understanding of packaging regulations and industry best practice and standards.
* Experience in regular reporting and performance management.
* Ability to lead teams in a matrix environment and drive change through effective influencing.
* Working knowledge of packaging suppliers and their capabilities.
* Experience of the buying process in the fashion industry either directly or indirectly.
* Proven experience of managing packaging suppliers from contract management, forecasting, innovation, and QBR's.
* Experience of working with packaging suppliers internationally and supporting nomination/forecasting.
* Proven ability in previous roles to drive change in complex, matrix organizations in the packaging space.
* Knowledge of packaging regulations and compliance requirements, strong awareness of ethical sourcing and corporate social responsibility issues.
* Demonstrated ability to forge close business relationships with internal and external stakeholders at senior management levels.
* Proven track record of developing strategic partnerships with key suppliers.
Requirements:
1. Excellent strategic thinking and project management skills.
2. Ability to meet deadlines and work in a fast-paced, matrix environment.
3. Able to prioritize effectively and manage business expectations.
4. Strong business and commercial acumen.
5. Tenacious and determined.
6. Collaborative and proactive in style.
7. High attention to detail.
8. Self-motivated, focused, and results-oriented.
9. Driven with proven track record of success.
10. Ability to influence senior internal and external stakeholders.
11. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
12. Ability to travel as required (more than 20%).