The Rise of Hybrid Talent: Why Digital Skills Are Reshaping Print and Packaging Roles
The print and packaging industry is undergoing a quiet revolution. While presses still hum and production lines still run, the way these systems are managed, optimised, and integrated is rapidly changing.
At the heart of this transformation is a new kind of professional—what we call hybrid talent. These are individuals who bridge the gap between traditional print and packaging expertise and modern digital proficiency. And in 2025, they’re becoming the most sought-after candidates in the market.
What Is a Hybrid Professional?
A hybrid candidate in packaging and print is someone who combines hands-on operational knowledge with fluency in digital systems, automation, and data-driven processes. These individuals can troubleshoot a flexo press—and also configure a print MIS. They understand substrates and color density—and can interpret data from a digital workflow.
In short, hybrid professionals bring the best of both worlds: deep industry experience plus future-ready skills.
Why Hybrid Skills Matter Now
The demand for hybrid talent is driven by multiple shifts in the industry:
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Automation: From robotic packing arms to AI-driven quality control, companies need staff who can manage and maintain intelligent systems.
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Digital Transformation: As digital printing expands and prepress workflows evolve, fluency with digital platforms and file systems is essential.
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Cross-functional Collaboration: Modern production teams work closely with IT, design, logistics, and sustainability. Versatility is key.
Hiring managers are no longer filling narrow roles—they’re building teams that can adapt, evolve, and solve problems across departments.
What Hiring Managers Are Looking For
Employers consistently tell us they want candidates who:
- Have experience with MIS, ERP, or workflow automation systems
- Are comfortable working with digital printing platforms
- Can interpret and apply production or performance data
- Show initiative in adopting new tools or technologies
- Communicate clearly across technical and non-technical teams
Hybrid professionals often become the go-to person in a team—the bridge between production and innovation.
How to Become a More Hybrid Candidate
You don’t need to start over. You just need to expand your comfort zone. Here are a few practical steps:
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Learn on the job: Volunteer to get involved in new system rollouts, training sessions, or digital upgrades in your current workplace.
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Ask to shadow: Spend time with colleagues in IT, digital prepress, or automation teams to understand their workflows.
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Take short courses: Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or vendor-led certifications offer training in ERP systems, automation basics, and digital workflow management.
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Update your CV: Highlight any cross-functional projects, tech tools you’ve used, or systems you’ve helped implement. Even small experiences matter.
Why This Matters for Your Career
The packaging and print workforce of the future isn’t divided into “manual” and “digital” roles. It’s blended.
Professionals who can move fluidly between machines and monitors, between factory floor and data dashboard, will have a distinct edge—not just in getting hired, but in growing into leadership roles.
At Athena Executive Search, we are already placing hybrid professionals into dynamic, high-impact roles—across operations, production management, technical sales, and innovation teams.
Final Thought
The industry doesn’t need people who do what’s always been done. It needs people who can do what’s next.
If you’re a print or packaging professional ready to evolve, now is the time to invest in your hybrid potential. And if you already have those capabilities, make sure you’re telling that story—on your CV, in interviews, and on LinkedIn.
Need help positioning yourself for your next opportunity? Reach out to the team at Athena Executive Search. We understand where the industry is headed—and who’s ready to lead it there.
