Procurement Specialist - Packaging

About This Role

Procurement Specialist - Packaging

Department

Supply Chain

Function

Procurement (Non Flowers)

Job Purpose

The Procurement Specialist - Packaging owns the end-to-end sourcing and supplier management of all packaging requirements at Floward, working cross-functionally with the Commercial Design & Innovation team through a structured intake, briefing, and approval process. The role translates creative concepts and product specifications into reliable, cost-effective, and quality-assured packaging deliveries across all markets and brands, while also supporting the wider procurement function in sourcing activities, vendor management, ERP execution, and compliance. The Procurement Specialist - Packaging combines packaging category expertise, supplier development discipline, and procurement operational rigour to ensure that Floward’s distinctive packaging identity is consistently delivered at the right cost, quality, lead time, and risk profile.

Key Responsibilities

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.

Key Performance Indicators

◆ Packaging Cost Savings & Cost Avoidance

◆ Supplier On-Time Delivery (Packaging)

◆ Packaging Quality Defect Rate

◆ Sampling & Pre-Production Approval Lead Time

◆ PO Cycle Time & Accuracy

◆ Design Brief to PO Lead Time

◆ Supplier Performance Score (Packaging)

◆ Stakeholder Satisfaction (Design & Innovation Team)

◆ ERP & Procurement Data Accuracy

◆ Compliance with Procurement Policy

Qualifications & Experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Packaging Technology, or related field.

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

Working knowledge of packaging materials, substrates, print and finishing techniques; proficiency in ERP systems and Excel for data analysis and reporting; strong negotiation, vendor management, and communication skills; ability to read and interpret design briefs, artwork, and technical specifications.

Attributes

Detail-oriented and quality-driven; responsive and service-minded toward internal stakeholders; comfortable working at the intersection of creative and operational teams; able to handle multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

About Floward :

Floward Life Page

Floward Corporate

Founded in 2017, Floward is an online flowers and gifting company; we pride ourselves in creating a seamless experience for our customers and making sending flowers and gifts as enjoyable as receiving them. We source our flowers daily from the best growers and farmers around the world to create one of a kind stunning arrangements and plants that fit every occasion. We also partner with local and international brands to offer a wide range of gifts including chocolate, perfumes, cakes and more, coupled with our arrangements to create the perfect gift. Operating in 36 cities in nine countries across the MENA region and UK, we guarantee same-day delivery across the board through our own refrigerated fleet to ensure our arrangements arrive fresh to the customer.