Why Now is a Great time to Work in Packaging
Our nation is facing an amalgamation of disruptors that are shaping the packaging industry in new ways and increasing the demand for packaging professionals more than ever. Presently, it is the perfect time to work in packaging.
The world’s supply chains remain in crisis, as we face labor and material shortages, inflation, and fulfillment challenges. At the same time, demand for packaging is increasing as on-line retail becomes the norm, and consumers desire more single-use plastics.
The packaging industry is also being driven by changes in consumer behavior. The environmentally minded consumer is demanding more sustainable packaging materials focused on recycling, reuse, composting, and other innovative solutions. There is also a trend to more personalized packaging options, including 3D printing.
Regulations affecting the industry include sustainability, health, hygiene, and safety. Gartner, Inc. predicts that 90% of public sustainable packaging commitments won’t be met by 2025, further accelerating the need for packaging professionals.
Procurement, Supply Chain, and Packaging all play a vital role.
Procurement needs to develop effective category strategies for packaging. They must reduce costs, maximize margins, and meet demand through alternative supply sources. Procurement can partner with suppliers to identify alternative, more cost-effective materials, and other ways to reduce costs such as recycling programs.
Supply Chain professionals need to forecast shortages and change ordering schedules to procure materials sooner to avoid delays. Shortages will continue in 2022 with some of the most constrained materials including corrugate, cardboard, paper, plastics, and polymers.
Engineers can innovate by removing excess waste and designing sustainable and personalized packaging solutions. They are critical to developing products that control costs and meet consumer and regulatory requirements.
The environmental, economic, and social dimensions of packaging all play key roles in driving growth of the industry. Many companies are creating corporate culture initiatives and developing goals aligned with these dimensions. Now is an exciting time to consider entering the field of packaging or advancing your career with new experiences.
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