Senior Packaging Development Engineer (6 month FTC) in London

Reporting Location: London - 16 Hatfields

Workplace Type: Hybrid

TEAM: Global Supply Chain

REPORTING TO: Senior Manager, Packaging Development

ABOUT US

tms unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world's leading brands. With 1,200+ employees across 26 countries, we offer an impressive range of solutions – from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery.

Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business, and a technology provider, we engage with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including McDonald's, T‐Mobile, O2, Starbucks, and adidas. Most importantly, we're a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognized as the best.

WHAT MATTERS THE MOST

Breakthrough, business‐driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realized when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever‐evolving. tms is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice!

At tms we believe that from day one our job is to prepare you, develop you, train you and invest in you so that while with us you will become ready to take on the next challenge better prepared than you thought possible. So whether you're here for a meeting, a project, or a career – be prepared to Leave Changed.

WHY WE THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROLE

The ideal candidate will support all McDonald's customers within the designated EU cluster and associated markets in regards to the development of sustainable and commercially appropriate packaging solutions. Providing functional (Project Management and Packaging Development) and subject matter expertise in guiding customers through appropriate legislative requirements and in delivering packaging technology solutions & innovation programs aligned with the Category Strategy.

They will build and maintain supplier relationships to extract best in class solutions for customers, both functionally and commercially; while working cross functionally within all touch points such as Vendor Management, Category, Sustainability, Commercial, Quality Assurance & Graphics. You will lead significant, multi‐phase packaging development programs with cross‐functional teams including from preliminary concept development, testing and validation through national commercialization / execution.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ORGANIZATION

• Lead on the delivery and project management of appropriate packaging solutions, including cost benefit and risk, piloting and implementation timelines.
• Clear understanding of the local and overarching legislative landscape to ensure the most appropriate solutions are applied.
• Co‐creation, development and delivery of innovative packaging solutions, in alignment with suppliers and external innovation.
• Establish methodology and reporting metrics to support relevant customer goals, working with independent experts and sharing best practice adopted from other markets and working in collaboration with stakeholders e.g. distribution companies, packaging suppliers, industry experts.
• Horizon scanning, innovation and sharing best practice from other markets and the industry to support the above priorities.
• Communicate in a timely manner to leadership teams, work with other departments to ensure effective delivery of milestones and project execution.
• Identify and meet customer needs and increase value.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the key stakeholders internally and externally.
• Understand and proactively support customer business strategies.
• Constantly seek best packaging solutions to answer the needs of our clients.
• Regularly review and challenge common processes and propose improvements and standardization of packaging specification.
• Engage with and influence suppliers for effective and timely delivery.
• Keep clear overview of all activities happening and issue regular reports and presentations.
• Manage allocated packaging/sourcing projects and proactively suggest solutions to McDonald's markets and customers.
• Partner with Cluster Commercial team to ensure execution of the agreed market packaging plans and initiatives with method.
• Through regular meetings with appropriate account stakeholders, review and update the objectives and maintain alignment.
• Liaise with internal departments based worldwide to achieve clients' requirements.
• Provide packaging development support and material expertise in‐line with the needs and expectations identified by customers; solutions should include a balance of innovation on consumer insight, sustainability strategy, risk management and product cost.
• Interface with various customer departments, not limited to operations, menu management, supply chain, and marketing, to identify customer needs and focus on speed‐to‐market solutions.
• Coordinate packaging testing, including those at supplier facilities and at customer facilities, such as test kitchens, in‐store testing, and any outside 3rd party test labs, to validate the performance of the package against operational and consumer criteria.
• Fully leverage and develop supplier capabilities and technical specialists that deliver results effectively and in a timely manner. Participate in supplier review meetings to provide feedback on supplier performance.
• Execute commercialization plans to ensure the product meets customer requirements and is transitioned to a continuous supply item with contingency built‐in.
• Develop and maintain packaging specifications within the designated specification system.
• Lead on the delivery and project management of appropriate packaging solutions, including product testing, cost benefit and risk, piloting, and implementation timelines.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE

• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in packaging development role in single use and reusable packaging.
• Level 5 Diploma in Packaging Technology.
• Experienced in specification management.
• Knowledge of sustainability requirements.
• Client facing experience.
• Packaging manufacturing knowledge.
• Project management.
• Strong technical competencies in packaging science including knowledge of substrates, structural design and manufacturing processes.
• Analytical approach to problem solving and decision making.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• High level of collaboration and teamwork.
• Any of the following would be a plus: Experience in Foods, QSR, FMCG or Packaging manufacturing / converting industry.

If you have any questions about the job, we are open to discussing this role further, so please feel free to get in touch.