Reference: 5380 SJ

Job Description:

The Packaging Coordinator position will serve as the liaison between the packaging suppliers, growers, packhouses and various departments for packaging and packing related matters. This position is responsible for ensuring packaging projects are initiated and executed in a clear, efficient, precise and timely fashion.
Packaging coordination:
Coordinate the development and/or customer packaging requirements, taking into consideration the customer’s packaging system needs.
Prepare documentation to begin new packaging development and track progress to ensure deadlines are met.
Ensure that design layout and branding is accurate and consistent, including style of copy and all visual elements (photographs and illustrations).
Lead the approval process on all proofs throughout the development process (design brief, initial concepts and final proofs).
Communicate the roll-out of all packaging briefs according to concept design based on set timelines.
Take responsibility for the implementation of packaging strategies at all packhouses.
Manage the supplier’s relationships, including the collection and gathering of all necessary packaging and product specifications, printing information, limitations and lead times
Ensure cost reduction of packaging material and improve efficiency of packaging elements in the supply chain (from the primary packaging element up to the number of pallets per ULD or Container).
Monthly packaging update to company (including but not limited to latest developments, trials, new innovations, possible solutions, feedback from new trials and supplier factory visits).
Adding and setting up packaging specs, elements and brands for new lines.
Maintain a library of all current and obsolete packaging, supplier contacts and specifications.
Packhouse coordination:
Establish and maintain close working relationships with the relevant packhouse managers and teams, to ensure strong working relationships on packing and packaging related matters.
Establish and maintain a close working relationship with the packhouse Capacity Manager, covering capacity/throughput of packhouses and the related packing constraints.
Establish and maintain a close working relationship with Operations & Logistics department.
Where necessary and/or relevant, trial & test new packaging for sea- & air freight (in collaboration with Post Harvest and Operations & Logistics departments)
Manage packaging stock levels at packhouses in line with the sales department’s marketing plan.
Conduct weekly visits / check-ins with packhouses to ensure packaging is being used and applied correctly according the protocols and guidelines.
Coordinate & demonstrate trials of new packaging concepts to packhouses.
Assist packhouses with relevant and updated packaging specifications, accredited certificates and paperwork for food safety audits.
Link packhouses with relevant packaging suppliers to source approved packaging.
Packhouse stock management:
Obtain and report on weekly packaging stock levels at packhouses to manage stock levels, according to the marketing plan.
Create suitable reporting dashboards as appropriate.
Manage supplier lead-times to ensure on-time delivery of packaging stock.
Assist in developing and implementing returnable pallet procedures with growers.
Ensure continuous packing material availability and minimize redundant stock loss.
Ensure customer and supplier agreements are adhered to.
Communicate and implement redundant packaging stock plans to get rid of stock in the most cost-efficient manner.
Manage Packaging within the network, facilitating internal sales and logistics arrangements between packhouses where possible.
Ensuring the Operational export facility is equipped with enough packaging for when repacking, re-labelling of orders is required.
Packaging Production Planning:
Develop a packaging sourcing plan to ensure optimal quality, service and pricing is achieved.
Manage the negotiation and procurement of cost-effective and quality-controlled packaging material.
Effective communication with the Sales Coordinator regarding seasonal packing plans and seasonal operational packing.
Engage with packing service providers with regards to putting the sourcing plans together to achieve mutual benefit and save costs where possible.
New Product Development:
Working with Sales, Post-Harvest, Operations and Logistics and packaging suppliers to develop new products to differentiate the offer in the market through innovative packaging offers.
Working with Post Harvest and Sales team taking charge of all new packaging developments and approvals.
Assess the needs of various suppliers/packhouses in terms of packaging development, from final pack through to filed packing options.
Support the Post-Harvest team in developing new packaging options for said regions/suppliers to achieve mutual benefit and costs savings, if/where possible.
Liaise with the Sales team to ensure cross-business alignment in the roll out of packaging strategies and new product development.
Establish a good working relationship with our partners, when collaborating on new brand projects.
Monitor and manage sustainability trends in packaging.
Stay up to date with packaging trends, materials, suppliers and techniques.
Identify and resolve packaging issues, through new product development in conjunction with the Post-Harvest team.
Collaborate with the Post-Harvest team set up trials (including budgeting, feasibility studies, tracking trial on different stages, reporting an executive summary of the outcomes and final recommendations on improving the packaging element
Project Management:
Manage integrated packing and packaging related projects, involving various departments and external stakeholders (including customers, packhouses and packaging suppliers

Qualifications:

Packaging or related qualification
Fruit industry experience (4-6 years)
Packhouses experience (4-6 years)
Packaging development process knowledge (4-6 years)
FMCG knowledge (4-6 years)
Computer literacy (MS Office)
Excellent communication skills
Excellent administrative and organisational skills
Good negotiation skills
Planning and organising skills
High attention to detail
Project management skills