At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead packaging development and optimisation for our delicious snacks.
- Company: Join KP Snacks, a fun-loving team creating iconic snack brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus opportunities, healthcare, and generous holiday.
- Other info: Inclusive culture where your unique perspective is valued.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product quality and sustainability in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG or manufacturing, with strong technical packaging knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Billingham (Home of McCoys, Wheat Crunchies, POM-BEAR, and more…) with regular travel to our Tanfield site. Full-time, on-site.
Join our snack-loving team. We’re looking for a Packaging Development Manager to join us at KP Snacks. If you’re ready to bring your ideas to the table, grow your skills and be part of a team that values what makes you, you – this could be your next big move.
Who are we? We’re KP Snacks, part of the Intersnack family. Across more than 30 countries, over 15,000 of us work together to make the snacks people love – from Hula Hoops to McCoy’s. In the UK, we’re a team of around 2,400 colleagues, based across seven sites and our Slough HQ. We’re proud of our close-knit culture, where we speak up, celebrate differences and push boundaries together.
About the role: This is a pivotal role in our Technical team, where quality is at the heart of everything we do. You will provide specialist expertise in Packaging Development and Optimisation at site level, ensuring our products are safe, high quality and consistent every time. You will work closely with Operations, Engineering, Procurement, R&D, Marketing and Project Teams to design and deliver best-in-class packaging solutions. From new product development to continuous improvement, you will play a critical role in optimising performance, reducing waste and supporting our sustainability agenda. This is a hands-on role where you will be actively involved in factory trials, production support and problem solving on the ground. You will also influence and develop others, building capability across site teams and helping embed a Right First Time culture. If you enjoy technical challenges, working cross-functionally and making a visible impact, this role offers the opportunity to shape packaging performance across our Site.
What’s in it for you? We believe in rewarding our colleagues and helping them thrive. Here’s a flavour of what we offer:
- Competitive annual salary, annual salary review and annual bonus opportunity (target 7.5%), plus KP Pension Plan with up to 7% matched contributions and £6,000 car allowance
- 25 days holiday, with the option to buy up to five additional days, plus additional holiday after five years’ service
- Comprehensive healthcare including Single Cover Private Healthcare, Health Cash Plan, Digital GP and Employee Assistance Programme
- Electric Vehicle Car Scheme, supporting more sustainable and cost-effective travel
- KP4ME benefits platform with discounts, cashback and wellbeing support
- Enhanced family-friendly policies to support colleagues at every stage of life
What will you be doing?
- Acting as the site packaging expert and technical lead
- Provide day-to-day support to production, acting as the go-to expert for packaging, troubleshooting issues in real time and coaching colleagues to build capability and strengthen understanding across the Site
- Designing, developing and optimising packaging solutions
- Create and implement fit-for-purpose packaging for new products, renovations and cost-saving initiatives, ensuring the right balance of quality, performance, cost and sustainability
- Leading end-to-end trial and launch activity
- Plan, coordinate and execute factory trials, including packaging travel tests, analyse results and support first production runs to ensure smooth scale-up and consistent Right First Time delivery
- Driving quality, compliance and process control
- Own packaging specifications, artwork approvals and technical documentation, while implementing robust process controls to reduce waste, defects, NRFT and consumer complaints
- Collaborating to deliver improvement, innovation and sustainability
- Work closely with cross-functional teams and suppliers to deliver projects, improve performance, support CAPEX activity and drive People and Planet goals across the Site
We’d love to hear from you if you can bring:
- Strong experience in FMCG or manufacturing environments
- A background in food, beverage or consumer goods, with a solid understanding of factory operations and quality standards such as HACCP and BRC, and how these apply in a fast-paced Site
- Deep technical knowledge of packaging and materials
- Experience working with a range of packaging formats and materials, with a clear understanding of how they impact product quality, shelf life, line efficiency and consumer experience
- Hands-on trial, production and troubleshooting experience
- Confidence leading or supporting factory trials, analysing performance data and resolving technical issues on the line to deliver practical, sustainable improvements
- Analytical thinking and data-led decision making
- Ability to interpret technical and operational data, identify trends and root causes, and translate insight into clear actions that improve performance, reduce waste and optimise cost
- Strong collaboration, communication and influencing skills
- Proven ability to build effective relationships across Operations, Engineering, Quality, R&D and suppliers, with the confidence to challenge, coach and influence to achieve the right outcomes
Our purpose: At KP Snacks, we're passionate about creating happy snacking moments through our great tasting snacks and iconic brands. Every day, millions of people enjoy our products, including Hula Hoops, McCoy's, KP Nuts, Tyrrells, Skips, POM-BEAR and Butterkist, making us one of the UK's leading snack manufacturers. For decades, we've been delighting consumers by combining well-loved favourites with exciting innovations that reflect changing tastes and expectations. We're equally passionate about our people and committed to creating a workplace where everyone can grow, develop and make a real impact. As part of the Intersnack Group, one of the world's leading snack manufacturers, we combine global expertise with a shared commitment to creating happy snacking moments every day.
We’re committed to inclusion: We’re building a workplace where everyone belongs. If you don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you – your unique perspective could be just what we need. And if there’s anything we can do to make the process easier for you, just let us know.
Packaging Development Manager in Billingham employer: Jobtome
As a Senior Project Manager at our company, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth, all set against the backdrop of a vibrant location that fosters creativity and teamwork. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the rail systems sector while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Packaging Development Manager in Billingham
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Packaging Development Manager in Billingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Jobtome specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jobtome
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Jobtome, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Jobtome value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
