NPD Packaging Developer

The NPD Packaging Developer is responsible for creating innovative, sustainable, and commercially viable packaging solutions across all categories, currently flowers and gifting.

Accountability Areas

• Packaging Innovation & Development – Driving the creation of market‑leading packaging from concept to launch, ensuring solutions protect and enhance product quality while meeting customer and brand requirements.
• Supplier & Stakeholder Collaboration – Building strong supplier relationships worldwide, ensuring ethical sourcing and sustainability are prioritised, while working closely with internal teams to align packaging with business and customer needs.
• Project Delivery & Technical Support – Managing deadlines, artwork, specifications, and troubleshooting issues in production to ensure packaging is delivered on time, to the right quality, and in line with customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Delivery of a clear packaging roadmap with measurable actions, aligned with business and customer objectives.
• Embedding sustainability and ethical sourcing within packaging procurement and development.
• Regularly introducing packaging innovations that enhance product value and customer experience.
• Challenging existing approaches to deliver disruptive, forward‑thinking solutions.
• Ownership of technical concept development, artwork, and packaging specifications.
• Ability to resolve packaging quality issues quickly and effectively.
• Effective collaboration with Procurement, Commercial, Technical, and NPD teams.
• Building trusted relationships with suppliers, customers, and cross‑functional colleagues.
• Timely delivery of packaging projects, aligned with customer deadlines and seasonal peaks.
• High attention to detail in specifications, artwork, and documentation.
• Own and lead MM Flowers’ packaging projects from concept through to launch.
• Use internal and external data sources to generate innovative, market‑leading solutions.
• Present packaging concepts, trends, and risks to customers, positioning MM Flowers as a packaging thought‑leader.
• Develop packaging briefs and specifications, ensuring all details (cutting/folding guides, certifications, recyclability) are accurate.
• Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships across the UK, Europe, and Far East.
• Ensure sustainability and ethical sourcing are embedded in all packaging developments.
• Work with suppliers to secure competitive and commercially viable quotes for new packaging designs.
• Explore new materials and technologies, driving continuous improvement in packaging sustainability metrics.
• Manage packaging innovation deadlines to align with customer expectations and NPD project plans.
• Oversee artwork creation, ensuring compliance with brand guidelines before handover to procurement.
• Track packaging manufacturing assets across MM Flowers’ sites, troubleshooting issues as they arise.
• Support seasonal and event‑based planning to ensure packaging availability and performance during peaks.
• Review and sign off packaging specifications, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Work with Procurement and QA to ensure materials meet specification at first delivery.
• Monitor packaging complaints, investigate root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Problem‑solve printing or finishing challenges, approving concessions where necessary.
• Attend packaging conferences, exhibitions, and store visits to identify trends and innovations.
• Share insights with the wider NPD and Procurement teams to encourage knowledge‑sharing and continuous improvement.
• Provide training or guidance across departments to embed packaging quality standards.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years’ experience in packaging development or a related role.
• Strong technical knowledge of packaging design, print, and reprographics processes.
• Expertise in materials including cardboard, plastics, and fabrics for retail and direct‑to‑consumer packaging.
• Experience presenting packaging concepts to retail customers.
• Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Retail packaging production knowledge with operational awareness of end‑to‑end processes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple briefs and categories in a fast‑paced environment.
• UK driving licence.
• Degree in product, surface, or graphic design.
• Knowledge of packaging legislation, standards, and certifications.
• Experience of working in flowers, horticulture, or FMCG industries.

Personal Attributes

• Trusted: Dependable, accurate, and consistent in delivery.
• Passionate: Enthusiastic about design, innovation, and packaging excellence.
• Dynamic: Proactive in problem‑solving and adapting to change.
• Collaborative: Builds strong working relationships internally and externally.
• Detail‑Oriented: Maintains high accuracy and attention to detail in specifications and project delivery.