Automation and digital transformation are reshaping the global Print and Packaging sector at pace.
Manufacturers across the UK, Europe, and the United States continue to invest heavily in:
- Smart factory capability.
- Robotics and automated converting systems.
- AI-driven production planning.
- Workflow automation.
- Predictive maintenance technologies.
- Data-led manufacturing environments.
The pressure driving this investment is significant.
According to McKinsey:
- Existing manufacturing technologies could automate between 60% and 70% of repetitive operational tasks globally.
- AI and automation adoption across manufacturing could generate trillions in productivity gains over the next decade. (mckinsey.com)
Meanwhile, Deloitte research shows:
- More than 70% of manufacturers globally are increasing investment in smart manufacturing technologies.
- Digital transformation and workforce capability remain among the most important strategic manufacturing priorities internationally. (deloitte.com)
Within Print and Packaging specifically:
- Automation investment continues accelerating across converting, finishing, and packaging operations.
- Digital print technologies continue expanding globally.
- Data visibility and manufacturing efficiency are becoming increasingly business-critical.
The challenge for many organisations is no longer whether automation will reshape the workforce, but whether leadership teams and operational structures are evolving quickly enough to keep pace.
What Industry Leaders Are Prioritising
1. Workforce Adaptability
Technology is changing operational roles rapidly.
- Increased automation across manufacturing environments.
- Greater integration of digital systems and workflows.
- Evolving capability requirements across production teams.
What this means:
Businesses are increasingly prioritising adaptable employees capable of evolving alongside manufacturing technology.
2. Automation and Engineering Capability
Automation investment continues increasing demand for specialist technical expertise.
- Greater reliance on automation engineers and robotics capability.
- Increased need for predictive maintenance and systems optimisation expertise.
- More technically advanced manufacturing environments.
What this means:
Engineering and automation capability are becoming increasingly central to operational performance and future competitiveness.
3. Data and Digital Decision-Making
Manufacturing environments are becoming increasingly data-led.
- Expansion of operational analytics and real-time production visibility.
- Greater measurement around waste, downtime, and efficiency performance.
- Increased use of AI-supported planning and forecasting tools.
What this means:
Operational and commercial leaders increasingly require stronger analytical and digital capability.
4. Leadership Through Transformation
Technology adoption creates both operational and cultural change.
- Workforce concerns around automation and changing job roles.
- Increased need for communication and change-management capability.
- Greater pressure on leaders to balance transformation with workforce engagement and stability.
What this means:
Leadership capability during periods of operational transformation is becoming a major differentiator.
5. Balancing Technology with Human Capability
Despite increasing automation, people remain critical to manufacturing success.
- Skilled technical expertise remains difficult to replace.
- Innovation and customer problem-solving remain highly people-led.
- Workforce engagement continues to influence operational performance significantly.
What this means:
The most successful organisations are combining technology investment with workforce development and leadership capability.
What We’re Seeing in the Market
- Increased global demand for:
- Commercial Directors.
- Strategic Account Managers.
- Technical Sales leaders.
- Business Development professionals with manufacturing expertise.
- Strongest commercial hiring activity currently concentrated across:
- Flexible packaging.
- Sustainable packaging.
- Labels and specialist converting.
- Industrial and protective packaging sectors.
- Commercial professionals with both technical and operational understanding continue to command premium compensation internationally.
- Growing salary premiums for professionals with:
- Automation capability.
- Digital manufacturing expertise.
- Transformation leadership experience.
- Businesses increasingly assessing operational leaders on:
- Change management capability.
- Digital understanding.
- Workforce adaptability.
Practical Takeaways for Hiring Managers
- Review whether workforce capability aligns with future automation plans.
- Assess where digital and analytical capability gaps exist within leadership teams.
- Prioritise adaptability and learning capability during hiring processes.
- Ensure leaders are equipped to manage operational and cultural transformation.
- Balance technology investment with workforce engagement and retention strategies.
CHI Insight
The future workforce within Print and Packaging will not be defined solely by automation. It will be defined by the organisations that successfully combine advanced manufacturing technology with adaptable leadership, technical capability, and workforce engagement.
How This Applies to Your Team
If your business is investing in automation or digital transformation, it may be worth considering:
- Whether your workforce structure supports future manufacturing capability requirements.
- Where leadership capability gaps may exist around transformation and change management.
- How automation investment could reshape future hiring and workforce planning.
If useful, CHI can provide:
- Global insight into automation-driven hiring trends.
- Benchmarking around technical and operational transformation roles.
- Market mapping across smart manufacturing and engineering capability.
Guidance on attracting leaders capable of managing workforce transformation internationally.
Want to know more? Get in touch