published on 29/07/08
Kettleby Foods purchasing manager Andrea Jex relishes the chance to mix her twin loves of ingredients and packaging, while rising to the challenges of clients’ ever-changing needs.
Kettleby Foods purchasing manager Jex, heads up a team of four. Comprising a packaging buyer, a new product development (NPD) buyer, a senior buyer, and a non-raw materials buyer, who buys anything that is not food-or-packaging- based, such as protective clothing and engineering spares.
Kettleby Foods, part of the family-owned Samworth Brothers food group is based in Melton Mowbray. Since opening in 1999, the plant has grown its product range from just 12 to around 80.
Jex is responsible for most things purchased at Kettleby Foods and is responsible for purchasing anything that goes into or is used for that product. That includes the sleeves, lidding film, CPET trays and all the ingredients.
“It’s the complexity of packaging I like so much,” she explains. “I enjoy the whole process you go through when specifying and purchasing packaging. It’s fascinating and forever changing”
Kettleby Foods has five main packaging suppliers, each on a one-to three year contract. “I am always excited by anything new, and there is always a lot happening in ready meals. Organics is another interesting area and, for packaging, the environmental credentials.” “The immediate challenge is in reducing transport costs, energy costs and the costs of the ingredients and packaging. I think purchasing is at its hardest point in years.”
“But what I would miss most about the job, should I move on, is the culture of the Samworth Brothers Company. Their motto is ‘dignity and respect’ and that is what we get working here. I hope as the company grows, this never changes.” Passion for packaging is a recipe for success

Read the full article at Packaging News