A coffee with José Manuel Muñoz, BOTTLING MANAGER en Pernod-Ricard.

José Manuel, Agricultural Engineer (UPM) and Food Technologist (UAM) with more than twenty-five years of experience, has led production, logistics and continuous improvement areas in major companies such as Bimbo, Schweppes and García Carrión. Currently, as Production Manager at Pernod Ricard, he applies his strategic and technical vision to optimise processes and teams, ensuring maximum efficiency under the most demanding quality and safety standards in the industry.

Empack: José Manuel, tell us a bit about your experience at Pernod Ricard and what your day-to-day work looks like within the company.

Although I have been at Pernod Ricard for less than two years, this professional period has been intense and productive, with a constant pursuit of operational excellence. My day usually starts by analysing the performance of the bottling lines (OEE) and the main issues that occurred the previous day. These are then reviewed in the first morning meeting together with the rest of the departments involved in production.

From that point on, line planning becomes a daily puzzle, where work shifts must be organised and changeover times minimised in order to fulfil 100% of the planned orders and meet supply chain demand.

This operational activity is complemented by a busy schedule of coordination meetings and participation in cross-functional projects, combined with managing my own projects and supervising the bottling lines in real time. I frequently collaborate with departments such as quality, maintenance and industrial administration to improve traceability or reduce costs. Rigour is non-negotiable, especially in terms of quality control, waste management and excise duties.

Finally, my role involves strong team leadership with an absolute commitment to safety and hygiene for both people (H&S) and processes (QSE), ensuring that every batch meets the company’s demanding quality standards. In this way, we make sure that each working day is not only productive but also safe for everyone involved.

Empack: After such a long professional career in different companies, which projects have been the most challenging for you or which ones do you remember most clearly, and why?

First of all, I would highlight my experience in logistics, as it represented a major challenge given my lack of prior knowledge and experience in that field. When I joined the department, we identified key opportunities to harmonise operations and strengthen the strategic connection between production and logistics. Despite the strong seasonality and variability in workload, we focused on bringing structure and fluidity to daily processes.

To achieve this, it was essential to rely on the talent of the team—professionals with a great work capacity with whom we promoted a more dynamic and versatile model. This collaboration allowed us to optimise warehouse management and improve route planning. Ultimately, this stage was an exercise in aligning criteria, where we managed to transform complex scenarios into efficient and coordinated management, demonstrating that adaptability and leadership are essential to overcoming operational challenges and enhancing results.

Secondly, I would highlight my current professional project. Moving from producing and distributing private-label products to working with our own brands has been a significant change and has required a major adaptation effort on my part. Pernod Ricard’s philosophy is defined by the concept of “Convivialité”, transforming the sale of spirits into a celebration of human relationships and shared experiences.

Empack: What do you think are the main advantages of having trade fairs like Empack for the food & beverage industry and for the visibility of research in this sector?

Having trade fairs such as Empack represents a key strategic driver for the food and beverage industry, a sector where packaging has evolved from being a simple container to becoming a guarantee of safety and competitiveness.

In this sense, the event makes it possible to discover first-hand advances in active packaging and barrier technologies—innovations that are crucial for reducing particle migration and combating food waste, ensuring that products reach the end consumer in optimal freshness conditions.

The exhibition also becomes an essential resource for navigating the current complex regulatory landscape. With ongoing regulations on plastics and circular economy requirements, the event offers tangible solutions in eco-design and compostable materials, enabling companies to comply with legislation without compromising operational efficiency.

In this way, Empack acts as a “living showcase” for research, development and innovation, facilitating the technological transfer needed for advances in new polymers or smart labelling to move directly from the laboratory to industrial implementation.

Finally, these types of spaces help validate the trends shaping the future of the market. Through areas dedicated to design and functionality, it becomes clear how aesthetic research responds to new consumption habits, enhancing the perceived value of brands. In short, Empack bridges the gap between materials science and the global market, ensuring that innovation is not only visible but also profitable and sustainable for the entire business ecosystem.