Packaging Development Manager

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led , resilient , and positive because we expect pace and agility . We insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact.

This role is site-based and flexible between our Aintree / Liverpool site.

What will this role achieve?

Innovation through product and packaging development, continuous value improvement, and consumer perceived quality superiority vs. competition are critical and key to delivering the business targets.

The Packaging Development Manager role is key in developing and delivering the Category growth plan for pladis UK & Europe region with a specific focus on incremental growth through Packaging. This can be in the form of asset-driven innovation and/or new technology. Experience in leading multi-site Packaging projects is essential and Consumer Science and Shopper related Packaging Insights is desirable.

What will be your key deliverables?

1. Support the building, maintenance of and delivery of an aligned Packaging program.
2. Own & deliver quality Packaging Specifications.
3. Provide innovative, cost-effective, optimised & simplified solutions.
4. Create partnerships and relationships – at sites as appropriate.
5. Bring your experience.

Essential

• The job holder will be required to develop Innovation in packaging and potential value improvement programmes.
• Experience in providing direction to other functions in respect to availability and cost of solutions and options to develop further:
• Marketing – key partners in driving the solutions and opportunities for the overall business plans.
• Operations – packaging functional performance.
• Supply Chain/Engineering – material/machine interface performance and proposals for investment.
• Logistics, distribution and retail – product protection and optimisation.
• Procurement – strategic sourcing, supplier selection and packaging technical functional approval.

Packaging

• Delivery of the agreed Packaging programme, working closely with Marketing, Product Development and Operations to introduce new/improved packaging into production and to drive continuous improvement in costs of existing packaging operations.
• Owner of packaging specifications and implementation processes.
• Provide support to sites to ensure delivery of solutions working with the other Packaging team members and build on their combined expertise in the creation of new Packaging solutions, as required.
• Provide project management documentation and communication for packaging including time-plans and risk assessments.
• Provide packaging expertise to support technical aspects of the Procurement strategic packaging agenda and CBR (cost base released) & VIN (value improvement network), linking to relevant members of the Strategic Material Teams.
• Create packaging specifications in line with project requirements; ensuring legislative and regulatory compliance, fitness for purpose including functional performance related attributes and compliance aspects. Packaging specifications input to relevant pladis packaging database.
• Lead the creation of other relevant packaging documentation e.g. cutter guides, pallet patterns, component drawings, general specifications, technical standards, travel tests and results, line trial protocols and reports.
• Ensure all quality testing is carried out for new packaging formats, e.g. shelf-life, taint and odour, travel tests.
• Conduct and report on packaging trials at pladis sites, co-makers/packers and machinery suppliers.
• Attend relevant Factory Development Meetings and ensure clear communication of issues and opportunities.
• Develop success criteria and trial protocol improvements with factories for new machinery and materials including acceptance testing for major manufacturing initiatives.
• Hold regular meetings with suppliers and other external groups to ensure packaging knowledge is continually updated.

Project Management

• Captures all project documentation relevant to the site (charters, time-plans, reports etc.).
• Communicates to the sites and collaborators in all relevant functions all key information relating to their current projects and initiatives, highlighting any issues.
• Ensures that the correct project management process, stage gate, is followed for all projects.
• Holds post-implementation reviews.

What will the interview process be?

• 1st stage interview – 45 minutes competency-based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
• 2nd stage interview – 60 minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.

pladis does also use both Psychometric and Aptitude tests to support our processes so you may be asked to complete these as part of your process.

What does pladis offer you?

• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)– this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan.
• Private medical Insurance.
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme.
• Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme.
• 25 days + bank holidays.
• Holiday Enhancement Scheme.
• 1 Volunteering Day per year.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Discount and Cashback Scheme – make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme.
• Financial Wellbeing Support.
• Access to great training and development opportunities.

Our Values

Purpose led – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite.

Agile – We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.

Positive – We’re highly motivated, optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better.

Resilient – We’re persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward.

Collaborative – We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together.

Best mix of ingredients

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

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