Packaging Innovation Manager in Reading

This is a brand new role for a Group Packaging Innovation Manager- working in a really innovative ambient category with lots of scope for both your development and packaging innovation

You will be the driving force behind the future of food packaging across the entire group. If it’s new, clever, sustainable, or game-changing, you’ll be leading the charge. From breakthrough materials to smarter, greener designs, this role shapes packaging that works brilliantly, looks sharp, and elevates the brand every step of the way.

You’ll thrive here if you come with a relevant degree (Packaging Tech, Materials Science, Food Science, Engineering, etc.) and 3–5+ years’ real-world packaging development experience, ideally in food. Solid knowledge of flexibles, paperboard, rigid plastics, barrier systems, MAP?

You can base yourself out of several locaitons across the UK, either Scotland, Yorkshire, Manchester or South Wales. You do therefore need to be comfortable with travel to sites and also retailer customers.

This is a standout opportunity to join one of the UK’s biggest food groups, working with an upbeat, collaborative team that genuinely wants you to grow, stretch, and build a long-term career.

What you’ll actually be doing

You’ll spearhead the discovery and development of innovative packaging solutions that boost performance, cut environmental impact, and delight consumers. You’ll hunt down new materials, technologies, and formats, working with suppliers, start-ups, and innovators to assess feasibility, build prototypes, and run smart trials.

You’ll keep one eye on the horizon, tracking trends in sustainability, consumer behaviour, design, and regulation, then turn those insights into opportunities for Category Leadership Teams and other key players.

You’ll also shape packaging concepts from scratch, working hand-in-hand with Development, Marketing, R&D, Operations, Technical, SHE, and Procurement to make sure ideas don’t just look good but actually work. Benchmarking best practice, leading projects from concept to launch, and keeping everything moving at pace

Ideally, this is you

• Degree in Packaging Technology, Materials Science, Food Science, Engineering, or similar
• 3–5+ years’ experience in packaging development/technology (food experience strongly preferred)
• Deep understanding of food-packaging materials: flexibles, paperboard, rigid plastics, barrier systems, MAP, etc.
• Solid grasp of food safety, hygiene, and packaging compliance (EPR, PPT, BRCGS, FCM Regs)
• Hands-on experience with packaging lines and production machinery
• Top-tier project management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Confident, clear communicator—written and verbal
• Strong influencing skills and a bias for action