Packaging Co-ordinator
Location: Ardleigh, Colchester, Essex
Department: Production / Supply Chain
Job Type: Full-time / Permanent
Join the Peake Fruit Team
Peake Fruit is a long-established, family-owned fresh produce business with over 40 years of experience in growing, storing, packing and supplying high-quality British and imported fruit to leading UK retailers. We pride ourselves on quality, innovation and delivering excellent service to our customers.
We are looking for a highly organised and proactive Packaging Co-ordinator to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in purchasing, stock control or supply chain who enjoys working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and wants to play a key role in keeping our production operation running efficiently.
The Role
As Packaging Co-ordinator, you will be responsible for ensuring the right packaging materials are available when needed, maintaining accurate stock levels, managing supplier relationships and supporting the purchasing process. Working closely with Production, Planning, Quality and Commercial teams, you'll help ensure our operations run smoothly while driving cost efficiencies and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure the correct packaging materials are available and issued to production lines to prevent downtime.
- Carry out regular stock takes and investigate stock discrepancies.
- Maintain accurate stock records and implement corrective actions where required.
- Monitor packaging stock levels to support current and future production requirements.
Purchasing & Supplier
- Purchase packaging materials in line with production forecasts and business requirements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.
- Support supplier negotiations to achieve the best value, quality and service.
- Monitor supplier performance and delivery schedules to ensure continuity of supply.
Planning & Collaboration
- Work closely with Planning, Production and Sales teams to understand short, medium and long-term packaging requirements.
- Liaise with Quality, Commercial and Production teams to resolve packaging-related issues efficiently.
- Support business planning by monitoring stock availability and future packaging needs.
Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure packaging materials meet all food safety, legal, customer and company requirements.
- Maintain packaging specifications, technical documentation and supplier records.
- Support packaging compliance activities and ensure records remain accurate and up to date.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement
- Prepare reports and KPI data relating to stock management, purchasing performance, supplier performance and packaging costs.
- Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes, stock control and packaging management.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the business.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who has:
- Excellent organisational and planning skills.
- Experience in purchasing, procurement, stock control or inventory management.
- Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
- Good analytical skills with the ability to interpret forecasts and support forward planning.
- A good understanding of quality standards and compliance requirements.
- The ability to build strong working relationships across multiple departments.
- Excellent attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem solving.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
Desirable Experience
- Previous experience within food manufacturing, fresh produce, packaging, manufacturing or supply chain.
- A Forklift Truck (FLT) licence would be advantageous; however, full training can be provided.
Why Join Peake Fruit?
- Join a well-established, family-owned business with an excellent reputation.
- Work in a collaborative and supportive environment.
- Be part of a business supplying leading UK retailers.
- Opportunities for training, development and career progression.
- Play a key role in improving efficiency and supporting the continued growth of the business.
If you're an organised, detail-focused individual with a passion for purchasing, stock management and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and become part of the Peake Fruit team.
Pay: From £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Canteen
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
