Packaging Sourcing Manager

Marks & Spencer Group PLC; City of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in London is seeking a Packaging Sourcing Manager to optimize packaging strategies and drive cost efficiencies. This role involves direct collaboration with suppliers, innovation in packaging formats, and project management. The ideal candidate will possess strong packaging sourcing knowledge and be able to work autonomously in a dynamic environment. This position offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to the company's transformation efforts.

Benefits

20% colleague discount

Competitive holiday allowance

Discretionary bonus schemes

Strong pension and life assurance

Tailored induction and training

Exclusive perks and savings

Market-leading family policies

24/7 wellbeing support

One paid volunteer day a year

Qualifications

• Experienced in packaging sourcing or buying, ideally within food or FMCG.
• Strong knowledge of UK and EU packaging landscapes.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and working autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Deliver packaging cost savings by identifying opportunities across multiple categories.
• Collaborate with internal teams to maximise end‑to‑end value.
• Support NPD and transformation projects by guiding optimal packaging solutions.

Skills

Packaging sourcing knowledge

Influencing skills

Project management

Communication skills

Cost modelling

Job description

Join to apply for the Packaging Sourcing Manager role at Marks and Spencer

We’re reshaping our Food business to broaden its appeal, protecting the magic our customers love while modernising everything else. That means outstanding quality, high sourcing standards, and market‑leading innovation remain at our core, while we transform our supply chains, improve our stores, and deliver better value. We’re looking for motivated people ready to bring their whole self to work and thrive in a fast‑paced, ambitious team. After all, this isn’t just food… this is M&S Food.

As Packaging Sourcing Manager, you will be part of a small, agile team driving cost efficiencies, packaging innovation and some packaging contracts across our Food business. You will shape and deliver short & long‑term sourcing strategies aligned with our commercial goals, category transformation plans & Plan A. This is a high‑impact role with real autonomy, where you will influence how packaging is sourced, contracted and optimised across multiple food categories.

You will have the opportunity to make your mark across a wide range of food categories, working directly with packaging suppliers and food manufacturers to unlock value end to end. You will be part of a continuous transformation journey, with exposure to constant innovation and the freedom to challenge how things are done. If you are curious, resilient and ready to lead change, this role provides exposure to a broad range of packaging formats and cost‑lowering activities.

Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible.

What you’ll do

• Deliver packaging cost savings by identifying opportunities across multiple categories, which could lead to negotiating strategic contracts with packaging suppliers.
• Collaborate with internal teams including Categories, Manufacturing Excellence, Shelf Range and Display, and Logistics to maximise end‑to‑end value.
• Support NPD and transformation projects by guiding optimal packaging solutions and mitigating cost increases.
• Build and implement sourcing strategies for plastic, metal, glass and paper substrates, aligned with M&S values and legal requirements.
• Provide commodity market insight and support sustainability initiatives with commercially favourable outcomes.

Who you are

• Experienced in packaging sourcing or buying, ideally within food or FMCG, with strong knowledge of UK and EU packaging landscapes.
• Able to influence without direct spend ownership, using resilience and rapport to land ideas and drive change.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and working autonomously to shape projects and unlock innovation, with a track record of delivering commercial value.
• Confident engaging with technical and non‑technical stakeholders, with strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Skilled in project & supplier management, cost modelling and strategic planning.

What’s in it for you?

Working at M&S means being part of something bigger – helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We are inclusive, fast moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.

Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:

• 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third‑party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you have completed your probation.
• Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
• Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours.
• Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future.
• Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one.
• Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal.
• Market‑leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave.
• 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services.
• One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you.

Everyone’s welcome

We are ambitious about the future of retail. We are disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We are transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.

We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.

If you feel you would benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Supply Chain, Strategy/Planning, and Project Management

Industries: Retail and Food and Beverage Retail