At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovation in sustainable food packaging and drive technical excellence.
- Company: Join a leading European packaging group focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food packaging and influence strategy at a senior level.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in technical leadership and product development in food packaging.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving meaningful change in the industry.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Shape the future of sustainable food packaging. We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Technical Director to lead technical excellence, innovation, and sustainability across our UK operations. This is a pivotal leadership role where you’ll influence product strategy, drive cutting-edge innovation, and ensure packaging solutions meet the highest standards of quality, compliance, and environmental responsibility.
The Opportunity
As Technical Director, you will take full ownership of the technical function, spanning:
- Material science & product development
- Quality systems & regulatory compliance
- Sustainability strategy
- Laboratory testing & accreditation
- Innovation pipeline & product commercialisation
You’ll play a key role on the senior leadership team, helping position as a market leader in sustainable rigid food packaging.
What You’ll Be Doing
Innovation & Product Strategy
- Define and lead the innovation roadmap across materials and packaging formats
- Drive development of next-generation, sustainable packaging solutions
- Translate customer needs into commercially viable product strategies
Technical & Compliance Leadership
- Oversee quality management systems and ensure compliance with standards such as BRCGS
- Lead food-contact compliance and regulatory frameworks
- Provide strategic direction for the testing laboratory, ensuring capability and accreditation
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Champion collaboration across NPD, Commercial, Operations, and Quality teams
- Implement a structured stage-gate process to bring products from concept to launch
- Act as the technical voice in customer engagements, supporting key accounts
Sustainability & Continuous Improvement
- Embed sustainability into all product decisions — recyclability, material reduction, circularity
- Partner in group-wide sustainability goals
- Continuously review and optimise the product portfolio with data-driven insights
About You
You’re a strategic, commercially aware technical leader who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Essential Experience
- Proven success in senior technical leadership roles
- Strong background in product development and innovation (concept to launch)
- Experience within food packaging, materials, or FMCG manufacturing
- Deep understanding of food contact regulations, quality systems, and compliance frameworks
What Sets You Apart
- A customer-first mindset with strong commercial awareness
- Exceptional ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams
- A natural problem solver with a passion for continuous improvement
- Resilient, agile, and comfortable balancing strategic vision with operational delivery
Why Join?
- Be part of a leading European packaging group with strong growth ambitions
- Drive meaningful innovation in sustainable packaging
- Influence strategy at a senior leadership level
- Work in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment
- Play a key role in shaping the future of food packaging
Ready to lead innovation and make an impact? Apply now.
Locations
Technical Director in Newport, Wales employer: Henderson Brown
Contact Detail:
Henderson Brown Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Director in Newport, Wales
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We can’t stress enough how personal connections can open doors that applications alone can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and sustainability initiatives. Show us you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for sustainable packaging and how your experience aligns with their needs. We want to hear your passion and ideas!
✨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 and making an impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director in Newport, Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Sustainability: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for sustainable food packaging shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission to innovate responsibly and make a positive impact on the environment.
Highlight Your Technical Expertise: Make sure to showcase your experience in product development and compliance. We’re looking for someone who can lead technical excellence, so don’t hold back on detailing your achievements in these areas!
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to customise your application for the Technical Director role. We appreciate when candidates connect their skills and experiences directly to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. It shows us you’re genuinely interested!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of food packaging with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Brown
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in sustainable food packaging and material science. Familiarise yourself with the company's products and their compliance standards, as well as any recent innovations they've introduced. This will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared to lead in this space.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led cross-functional teams in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you navigated them. Highlight your ability to influence and inspire others, as this role requires strong leadership to drive innovation and collaboration.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategy
Since this role involves shaping product strategy, be prepared to discuss your vision for the future of sustainable packaging. Think about how you would approach the innovation roadmap and what steps you'd take to ensure compliance and quality. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and commercial awareness.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Talk about your passion for continuous improvement and how you've implemented data-driven insights in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've optimised product portfolios or processes, as this aligns perfectly with the company's goals for sustainability and innovation.