Navigating Change: How Packaging & Print Candidates Can Thrive in 2025’s Shifting Market

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The packaging and print industry is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. For candidates, these shifts bring both challenges and opportunities. At Athena Executive Search, we work closely with professionals across the sector and have identified three key trends shaping career paths in 2025—and how you can position yourself for success.

1. Bridging the Skills Gap in a Digital Age

A wave of retirements is creating a talent vacuum in specialist roles such as press operators, production managers, and technical leads. At the same time, technology is redefining how work is done. Digital printing, automation, AI-driven quality control, and data-driven workflows are no longer optional—they are core to competitiveness.

What this means for you:
Employers are looking for candidates who combine traditional print expertise with digital fluency. If you can troubleshoot a press and optimise a digital workflow, you have a clear advantage. Upskilling in automation systems, predictive maintenance, and production analytics is a smart investment in your career resilience.

2. Mastering Sustainability and Regulatory Demands

Sustainability is now a non‑negotiable business priority. From EU packaging regulations to brand‑led environmental targets, the demand for recyclable, reusable, and eco‑friendly packaging is surging. This isn’t just a design consideration—it affects sourcing, production, and compliance at every stage.

What this means for you:
Candidates who understand sustainable materials, life‑cycle assessment (LCA), and design for recyclability are in high demand. If you’ve contributed to waste reduction projects, switched to greener substrates, or navigated compliance requirements, make it a central part of your CV. Consider formal training or certifications in sustainable packaging to enhance your credentials.

3. Adapting to Market Disruption and Economic Pressure

While traditional print volumes are declining, the packaging sector—particularly e‑commerce packaging—is experiencing strong growth. This shift comes with its own pressures: fluctuating material and energy costs, tighter lead times, and supply chain disruptions.

What this means for you:
Employers value candidates who can think commercially as well as technically. Demonstrating cost‑control skills, process efficiency improvements, or innovative sourcing strategies can make you stand out. Show that you understand not just how to produce packaging, but also how to do it profitably and sustainably.

How to Position Yourself for Success

In this changing landscape, standing still is not an option. Here’s how to keep your career moving forward:

  1. Invest in learning. Take advantage of short courses in automation, digital workflows, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.

  2. Show hybrid skills. Highlight experience that bridges technical production with digital technology or process improvement.

  3. Quantify your impact. Use metrics—reduced waste, faster turnaround, cost savings—to show your value.

  4. Stay informed. Follow market and regulatory trends so you can discuss them confidently in interviews.

At Athena Executive Search, we specialise in connecting forward‑thinking candidates with the right opportunities in the packaging and print industry. By understanding these industry shifts and aligning your skills accordingly, you can not only weather the changes ahead—you can lead them.