About Us:
At itsu, we're passionate about making healthy eating exciting, accessible, and affordable. As an Asian-inspired food brand, we've grown to over 70 stores across the UK, while building a thriving grocery business that reaches customers across Europe and beyond.
Known for our fresh, high-quality food prepared daily in every shop, we're on an ambitious growth journey. With plans to expand our store estate, accelerate our grocery presence, and continue investing in innovation, technology, and our people, we're shaping the future of healthy fast food.
itsu [ grocery ], where this role sits, extends the much-loved itsu brand beyond our shops and into supermarkets, health food retailers, online channels, wholesale partners, and international markets. Our growing product range includes customer favourites such as crispy seaweed thins, frozen gyoza and bao, brilliant'broth, rice'noodles, and miso'easy, bringing the taste and quality of itsu into homes around the world.
Joining itsu means becoming part of a fast-paced, innovative business with big ambitions, a strong culture, and a shared mission to help people eat beautifully every day.
About the role:
As a Packaging Manager you are to ensure our packaging is functional, sustainable and, above all, beautiful. You will work very closely with our Product Development team, leading on supplier selection and ensuring the developers’ vision for packaging is briefed to suppliers accurately. You will also be responsible for our packaging fees reporting and working to deliver the packaging strategy to improve our sustainability to ultimately reduce the fees.
- Manage external relationships with our retailers to ensure our packaging strategy and guidelines meet their current and future requirements
- Proactive review of current portfolio to identify improvements to packaging design and sustainability
- Support cross-functional cost-engineering reviews and works closely with procurement to ensure our packaging is commercially efficient
Key Role Responsibilities:
- Supports the Product development team on packaging section of NPD and EPD projects
- Ensure our packaging meets the functional, commercial and technical standards required
- Lead and develop our packaging sustainability strategy
- Deliver our PRN, EPR, Plastic Tax submissions for UK and International markets
- Maintain our packaging master data with high level of accuracy
- Consider future legislation changes that could impact our reporting and fee requirements in UK and internationally
- Build strong relationships with current and prospective packaging suppliers
The ideal candidate will have:
- Minimum 3-5 year’s experience in a packaging management / development role within FMCG
- Strong understanding of packaging legislation and associated packaging fees
- Line management experience preferred
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate cross-functionally
- Great organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks
- Proven record of great supplier relationship management
- Accuracy to detail and strong numeracy
- An open-minded approach to the role and a flexible, can-do, friendly attitude. Our business is constantly changing.
What We Offer:
- Competitive Salary
- Competitive Bonus Scheme
- 25 days holiday + Bank holidays (two bank holidays are interchangeable for other religious holidays)
- Health Insurance
- Company Pension Scheme
- Hybrid Working module: This can vary by department, with some operating on a 3-day onsite/2-day WFH model and others on a 4-day onsite/1-day WFH. Opportunity to work from abroad 2 weeks of the year.
- 50% employee discount in itsu shops
- Free itsu lunch EVERY DAY !
- Discounts at major retailers
- Salary sacrifice cycle and electric vehicle schemes
- Development & Growth opportunities
At itsu [grocery], everyone’s taste matters- and so does who’s behind it. We celebrate diversity and are an equal opportunities employer. Applications from all backgrounds are encouraged. If you need support or adjustments to apply, we’ll happily accommodate.
