Packaging Development Manager

Job Title: Packaging Development Manager – Food Manufacturer

Location: Greater London

Reference: J78903

Contact:

Telephone: 0141 647 6688

A multinational food manufacturer, which is home to some of the most loved brands, has a key opening within its in‑house packaging division. This is the chance for a Packaging Development Manager to join an ambitious and fast‑growing company investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people.

This role will work closely with the company’s central activity, looking after a remit across a whole category, dealing with marketers to deliver projects. The role will be ideal for someone who has a factory / design / innovation background and would like to develop their project management experience, dealing with stakeholders and factories. You will be based at our client’s Head Office and will enrol in the 3/2 flexible working arrangement.

What will be your key results?

• Delivery of the agreed Packaging programme, working closely with Marketing, Product Development and Operations to introduce new/improved packaging into production and to drive continuous improvement in costs of existing packaging operations.
• Owner of packaging specifications and implementation processes.
• Provide support to sites to ensure delivery of solutions, work with the other Packaging team members and build on their combined expertise in the creation of new Packaging solutions, as required.
• Provide project management documentation and communication for packaging including time‑plans and risk assessments.
• Provide packaging expertise to support technical aspects of the Procurement strategic packaging agenda
• Create packaging specifications in line with project requirements; ensuring legislative and regulatory compliance, fitness for purpose including functional performance related attributes and compliance aspects.
• Lead the creation and delivery of other relevant packaging documentation e.g. cutter guides, pallet patterns, component drawings, general specifications, technical standards, travel tests and results, line trial protocols and reports.
• Ensure all quality testing is carried out for new packaging formats, e.g. shelf‑life, taint and odour, travel tests.
• Attend relevant Factory Development Meetings and ensure clear communication of issues and opportunities.
• Develop success criteria and trial protocol improvements with factories for new machinery and materials including acceptance testing for major manufacturing initiatives.
• Hold regular meetings with suppliers and other external groups to ensure packaging knowledge is continually updated.

What experience is required for this Packaging Development Manager role:

• Qualified by: Degree or equivalent in food or related science, HND or higher qualification in Packaging, Engineering, Design or equivalent. (Degree or equivalent in food or related science will make you really stand out from the crowd).
• Demonstrable experience in an FMCG environment in a Packaging Technical role with a proficiency across a broad range of packaging materials and their respective machinery interfaces (Exceptional understanding of performance characteristics of flexible plastics, rigid plastics, carton board, corrugated and tins would be preferred).
• Sound understanding of: business terminology; product to market and technical systems; common business tools and databases; Microsoft Office; SAP
• Strong technical background, a proven communicator and team building/motivating experience
• Experience of planning, managing and reviewing factory trials
• A proven knowledge of Basic Food Hygiene