Recruiting the Right Operations Manager: Lessons from the Packaging and Print Frontline
In the packaging and print industry, the right Operations Manager can be the difference between meeting targets and missing them—between maintaining the status quo and driving meaningful improvement.
Yet many organisations still approach this hire as a technical replacement rather than a strategic appointment.
At Athena Executive Search, we’ve placed Operations Managers across a wide range of packaging and print businesses—from independent converters to multinational groups. These experiences have highlighted a few critical lessons for recruiting operational leadership in today’s market.
1. Think End-to-End, Not Just Factory-Floor
The best Operations Managers understand the full value chain—from raw materials and supply chain inputs through to warehousing, delivery, and customer feedback loops. They make decisions in context, not in isolation.
2. Prioritise Business Acumen Over Routine Management
High-impact leaders are not simply good at scheduling or managing teams. They think commercially. They understand cost-to-serve, margin preservation, and how operational choices affect customer experience and business reputation.
3. Culture Fit Is Not Optional
Whether it’s a privately owned SME or a global packaging group, cultural alignment matters. The most technically capable candidate can still fail if their leadership style doesn’t suit the team or the environment. Effective recruitment needs to consider behavioural fit alongside skillset.
4. Change Readiness Is Essential
The packaging and print sectors are undergoing rapid change—driven by automation, sustainability targets, and evolving customer demands. Successful Operations Managers are those who can lead through transition, not simply manage existing systems.
Ultimately, hiring the right Operations Manager is not just about maintaining production—it’s about enabling growth, resilience, and long-term performance.
At Athena Executive Search, we focus on the operational leadership layer because it has a direct and lasting impact on business results. Our clients don’t just need someone who can keep things moving. They need someone who can move things forward.
Athena Executive Search
Specialists in leadership and operational recruitment for the packaging and print industry.
