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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects to develop sustainable barrier solutions for packaging.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering; project management experience preferred.
- Other info: Flexible travel opportunities across Europe and a focus on inclusivity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Us
We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!
About The Role
As a R&D Project Manager for Surface & Barrier, you will be responsible for developing, testing, and optimizing barrier solutions that enhance the performance of fibre-based packaging. This role focuses on improving material properties such as moisture, grease, oxygen, and aroma resistance while ensuring sustainability, recyclability, and cost-efficient production. You will collaborate closely with stakeholders to accelerate innovation and bring barrier technologies from laboratory scale to industrial implementation. This role will develop the needed proof of concepts (PoC) into industrial demonstration. Special focus will be in the development of cost effective and sustainable barriers for paper-based board designs both for direct food contact and non-food contact applications.
The successful candidate will have excellent communication and networking skills, the ability to lead projects and track progress, and cooperate closely with other team members in the Group R&D as well as with key stakeholders in the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop new barrier solutions, surface treatments, and functional layers for fibre-based packaging
- Screen and evaluate bio-based, water-based, polymer, mineral, or hybrid barrier chemistries
- Design and run pilot trials for barrier coating applications (e.g., blade, rod, curtain, extrusion, dispersion). Analyse failure modes and identify root causes of barrier performance variation
- Liaise with new suppliers of surface treatment/barrier solutions/technology to validate their offering
- Support and carry out lab studies when needed on barrier property testing (WVTR, OTR, grease resistance, COBB, heat sealability, adhesion, etc.)
- Scale laboratory formulations toward pilot and industrial production readiness
- Develop project framework and project deployment information, preparing projects for hand-over to the business
- Plan and execute projects as agreed with manager and available steering/reference groups
- Design, plan and execute pilot trials for business demonstrators
- Carry out baseline technical work, designing and developing solutions for project success.
About You
- Educated to a degree level in a technology field (Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or similar)
- Previous experience in an industrial environment, preferably within the Fibre based Packaging or materials industry
- Excellent technical, laboratory and measurement skills; knowledge of coating technologies, material characterisation, printing, packaging or recycling technologies
- Demonstrable success in Project Management, working with teams and managing projects by prioritising workloads and delivering to deadlines and within budget
- Very good knowledge in Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project
- Fluent English, written and spoken
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, open minded, creative and curious
- Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Flexibility to travel across Europe (1-2 times per month)
To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.
R&D Project Manager in London employer: DS Smith
Contact Detail:
DS Smith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Project Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at DS Smith on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the R&D Project Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge related to barrier solutions and packaging technologies. We want to see your passion for innovation and sustainability shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your project management skills with real examples. Be ready to discuss how you've led projects, tackled challenges, and collaborated with teams to achieve success in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at DS Smith.
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Project Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the R&D Project Manager role. Highlight your experience in developing barrier solutions and any relevant project management skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our focus on sustainable packaging!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about sustainable packaging and how your skills can contribute to our mission. We love seeing enthusiasm and a personal touch!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your technical expertise, especially in coating technologies and material characterisation. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what you bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in sustainable packaging and barrier technologies. Familiarise yourself with the specific materials and processes mentioned in the job description, like moisture and grease resistance. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also passionate about the industry.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare to discuss your previous project management experiences in detail. Think of specific examples where you led a project from conception to completion, especially in an industrial setting. Highlight how you prioritised tasks, managed budgets, and collaborated with teams to achieve successful outcomes.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Come prepared with questions that demonstrate your interest in the company and the role. Ask about their current projects in R&D or how they approach sustainability challenges. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.
✨Be Ready to Problem-Solve
Expect to face some technical questions or case studies during the interview. Practice articulating your thought process when tackling problems related to barrier performance or material properties. This will showcase your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for the R&D Project Manager role.
