Hiring Senior Talent in Packaging Equipment: Key Recruitment Challenges

Hiring Senior Talent in Packaging Equipment: 5 Key Challenges & How to Solve Them

The packaging equipment industry is undergoing a critical transformation. With the rapid advancement of automation, a heightened focus on sustainability, and intensified pressures on efficiency, production lines are evolving. According to PMMI’s 2025 report on Packaging Line Readiness, organisations are accelerating investments in new technologies and workforce modernisation to keep up with competition. There is one persistent issue that threatens progress: hiring the right senior-level talent to lead the change.

We work with global organisations facing these exact challenges. Based on current industry research and our recruitment expertise, here are five strategic challenges companies face in hiring senior talent for the packaging equipment sector, and how to solve them effectively.

1. Talent Shortage at Leadership & Specialist Levels

The Challenge:

The industry is advancing faster than the talent pipeline can keep up. The PMMI report highlights a widespread need for cross-functional leaders who understand the integration of automation, flexible systems, and regulatory shifts. Yet senior professionals with this niche expertise, like Operations Directors, Packaging Equipment Engineers, R&D Leaders, and Sustainability Executives, remain scarce.

How to Overcome:

Partner with industry associations and innovation hubs to identify rising talent and thought leaders.

Use data-driven executive search to uncover passive candidates with relevant backgrounds that aren’t obvious.

Prioritise candidates with hybrid expertise in both engineering and business transformation.

2. Competition for Packaging Equipment Leadership Talent

The Challenge:

Industries such as food & beverage, pharma, and e-commerce are all competing for the same highly skilled packaging equipment leaders. The PMMI report reveals that CPG companies are ramping up automation, increasing demand for equipment-savvy senior talent. In a candidate-driven market, differentiation is key.

How to Overcome:

Craft a compelling EVP (Employer Value Proposition) focused on innovation, global reach, and sustainability leadership.

Provide clear, strategic development pathways. Senior professionals want impact as well as titles.

Work with a recruitment partner who can position your brand credibly and access hard-to-reach passive candidates.

3. Retention Risks in a High-Stakes Talent Market

The Challenge:

Senior leaders are expensive to replace and essential to strategy execution. The PMMI study highlights that companies expect packaging equipment leaders to play a critical role in future-proofing production lines. But high turnover at this level can derail progress if vision and execution aren’t aligned.

How to Overcome:

Involve senior leaders in long-term innovation strategy to build ownership.

Foster a leadership culture that values influence, autonomy, and mission alignment.

Use executive engagement diagnostics to spot early signs of misalignment or disengagement.

4. Demand for Sustainability-Focused Executives

The Challenge:

The topic of sustainability is everywhere, and it’s not going away. The PMMI white paper emphasises growing regulatory and consumer pressure on sustainable equipment design and packaging solutions. As a result, companies urgently need senior leaders with expertise in ESG compliance, materials innovation, and lifecycle impact.

How to Overcome:

Look for sustainability leaders from adjacent industries (e.g., automotive, chemicals) who bring fresh thinking.

Invest in developing internal talent with ESG potential via mentoring and exposure to green initiatives.

Engage search firms with proven success in placing sustainability-focused executives in packaging equipment roles.

5. Global Mobility & Location Constraints

The Challenge:

Many packaging equipment facilities are in manufacturing zones with limited local senior talent pools. Meanwhile, post-pandemic travel, visa, and relocation concerns continue to complicate global hiring. As noted in the PMMI report, workforce flexibility and reskilling are rising priorities.

How to Overcome:

Offer tailored executive relocation packages, including spousal and schooling support.

Leverage virtual collaboration tools to implement hybrid leadership structures.

Build a succession plan that includes local high potentials while maintaining access to global talent markets.

Hiring senior-level talent in packaging equipment isn't just about filling roles—it's about securing visionary leaders who can drive innovation, digitisation, and sustainable transformation.

We specialise in executive search and senior talent acquisition within the packaging equipment sector. With deep industry insight, a global network, and a proven approach, we help organisations identify, attract, and retain high-impact leaders.

Learn more about our packaging equipment recruitment solutions here.

Source

https://www.pmmi.org/business-intelligence/industry-reports