Packaging Technologist

Kendamil (Kendal Nutricare) is a rapid-growth scale-up disrupting the infant nutrition space through our award-winning brand Kendamil – the only infant milk made in Britain, proudly used by the British Royal Family and uniquely crafted locally using British organic full cream milk, without the nasties. Our company, Kendal Nutricare, is a 200 person team passionate about giving children a better start to life. We’re proud to be a Queens’ Award winning business and to be ranked by the Financial Times as one of Europe’s 1000 Fastest Growing Companies in 2025.

The role: As a Packaging Technologist at Kendal Nutricare, you will play a key role in developing, validating, and implementing packaging solutions for our infant nutrition products. You will ensure all packaging formats, lines, and materials meet regulatory, quality, cost, and operational standards while driving continuous improvement across packaging operations, efficiency, and sustainability. This is a hands-on role requiring close collaboration with R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to deliver high-performing and compliant packaging that supports our commitment to producing the very best nutrition products for families worldwide.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead packaging trials (internally or at co-packers) for new formats or revised materials; transfer from R&D to full production.
• Create/update packaging specifications (material type, carton/over-wrap details, labelling, codes, barcodes, print quality) and maintain BOMs (Bill of Materials) for packaging lines.
• Liaise with design/artwork, regulatory and supply-chain teams for packaging artwork accuracy, supplier materials, compliance (e.g., GS1 barcodes) etc.
• Setup, validate and optimise secondary packaging lines (cartoning, over-wrapping, case‑packing), ensuring smooth change‑overs, minimal downtime, correct machine setup, packaging material replenishment.
• Work with operations to troubleshoot packaging line faults, provide technical support, implement improvements (layout changes, automation upgrades, waste reduction).
• Ensure all packaging processes comply with food‑manufacturing, hygiene and safety standards (GMP, HACCP, hygiene lines) and supplier/counter‑party audits.
• Carry out root‑cause analysis of packaging faults (e.g., print issues, labelling mis‑alignments, carton defects, product‑pack mismatch) and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain documentation: packaging trials reports, SOPs, work instructions, change control records, packaging risk assessments.
• Monitor packaging performance metrics (waste levels, line efficiency, downtime, change‑over times), drive continuous improvement.
• Stay up to date on packaging material innovations, sustainability initiatives (packaging reduction, recyclable materials) and regulatory/regime changes.

What you will need:

• Background in packaging technology (food manufacturing preferred) or strong experience in packaging/materials engineering.
• Technical understanding of secondary packaging processes (cartoning, case packing, over‑wrapping, labelling).
• Good communication skills—able to liaise with multi‑disciplinary teams (R&D, operations, supply chain, quality).
• Familiar with packaging specifications, BOMs, GS1 barcode systems, quality systems (Q‑Pulse or equivalent) would be an advantage.
• Comfortable with operations in a shift‑based environment (if packaging operations roll supports shifts) and willing to site‑work/trial support.
• Computer literate: Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), possibly ERP/PLM systems for packaging codes/materials.
• Attention to detail, high standards of hygiene/principle, strong organisational ability.
• Experience in the infant‑nutrition or high‑care food sector (with strict quality/packaging requirements).
• Knowledge of packaging sustainability initiatives and material reduction.
• Experience in packaging trials, scale‑up or new product launches.

What you’ll get from us:

• The opportunity to work for the fastest growing infant milk brand in Europe, alongside a young talented team dedicated to serving thousands of passionate customers.
• Employee Benefits:
• 33 days holiday (incl. bank holidays), pro rata to start date
• Pension Scheme by Aegon, the Employer will match contributions up to a maximum of 5%
• Free health cash plan
• Life Assurance at 2 x basic salary
• EAP Programme
• Enhanced Maternity leave policy
• New parents enjoy up to £350 worth of Kendamil products (excluding Stage 1 formula)*

Seniority level: Associate

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Research Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Food and Beverage Manufacturing, and Manufacturing