Procurement Specialist - Packaging

Job Purpose

Packaging Category Strategy & Sourcing

• Work cross-functionally with the Commercial Design & Innovation team through a defined intake and briefing process, supporting packaging development cycles from concept brief through to production handover.
• Translate creative and product briefs into clear technical specifications, sourcing strategies, and supplier shortlists. Packaging includes boxes ribbons, tags, sleeves, inserts, gift wrap, seasonal packaging. Varying materials including paper. cardboard, wood, metal, acrylics and other suitable materials.
• Research and develop the packaging supplier base across local and international markets, with particular emphasis on building and managing relationships with suppliers and factories in China, alongside specialised vendors in print, paperboard, rigid box, flexible packaging, ribbon, and finishing techniques (foil, emboss, deboss, spot UV, etc.).
• Run competitive sourcing exercises (RFI / RFQ / RFP) for packaging projects, evaluating suppliers on cost, quality, lead time, MOQ, sustainability, and capability fit.
• Maintain a working knowledge of packaging materials, substrates, print techniques, and finishing options to advise the Design & Innovation team on cost-to-design trade-offs and feasibility.
• Track packaging market dynamics (paper, board, ink, freight, currency) and proactively flag cost or supply risks to the Director Procurement – Non-Flowers and the Design & Innovation team.

Supplier Management & Quality Assurance

• Manage day-to-day supplier relationships and performance, monitoring quality defect rates, on-time delivery, and responsiveness, and driving corrective actions to uphold Floward’s standards on quality and brand integrity.
• Lead sampling, pre-production approvals, and contract negotiations with packaging suppliers to secure competitive pricing, favourable payment terms, MOQ flexibility, and protection on lead time commitments.

Procurement Execution & ERP Discipline

• Execute end-to-end procurement transactions in the ERP system – including PO issuance, contracting, goods receipt follow-up, and replenishment planning – to keep packaging and assigned non-packaging categories stocked ahead of seasonal peaks, campaigns, and product launches.
• Ensure full compliance with procurement policies, budgets, internal controls, and approval workflows, and coordinate with finance on timely supplier payments and invoice resolution.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Coordinate packaging-related queries, timelines, and supplier escalations through the agreed cross-functional working process with the Commercial Design & Innovation team, central procurement, logistics, warehouse, and quality teams, supporting new launches, seasonal campaigns, and brand refreshes.
• Communicate clearly with suppliers on specifications, timelines, quality standards, and delivery expectations to prevent rework and delays, and provide proactive updates on sourcing progress and risk items to the Director Procurement – Non-Flowers and the Design & Innovation team.

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Generate procurement reports on packaging spend, supplier performance, cost evolution, and category KPIs, and track cost savings, cost avoidance, and value-engineering outcomes delivered through sourcing and supplier negotiations.
• Maintain accurate ERP and procurement data for audit readiness, and identify process improvement opportunities including specification standardisation, supplier consolidation, MOQ optimisation, and sustainability initiatives.

◆ PO Cycle Time & Accuracy

◆ ERP & Procurement Data Accuracy

Education

Experience

• 4-6 years of procurement or sourcing experience, ideally with direct exposure to packaging, print, or branded materials sourcing in retail, e-commerce, FMCG, or luxury goods.
• Hands-on experience working with suppliers and factories in China is required.

Skills

Attributes

Floward Corporate