Packaging Development Manager

We are PZ Cussons. Our purpose is For everyone, for life, for good. Sustainability and the wellbeing of people, families and communities everywhere are at the heart of everything that we do. Since our founding in 1884, we have been creating products to delight, care for and nourish consumers. Across our core categories of Hygiene, Baby and Beauty, our trusted and well-loved brands include Carex, Cussons Baby, Sanctuary Spa and St. Tropez.

PZ Cussons is an international consumer goods business, headquartered in Manchester, UK. We employ just under 2500 people across our operations in Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and Africa. Sustainability and the wellbeing of our employees and communities everywhere are at the heart of our business model and strategy.

If you want to join a business in transformation with exciting growth plans and the opportunity to work flexibly and finish at 1pm every Friday, apply to work for us today.

The Role:

The role works with product development teams to deliver consumer-loved, high-performing products that meet brand strategy. The role seeks to balance innovation and renovation to strengthen the overall category mix. Demonstrates technical mastery while collaborating seamlessly across teams from concept to launch. Ensures products launch on time, on cost, and with high quality.

• Responsible for driving the end to end development of primary, secondary & tertiary packaging innovative and renovation-focused products predominantly within the Personal Care, Beauty & Gifting portfolio.
• End to end accountability from concept through to scale-up and commercialization, partnering with internal production teams, CMOs & packaging component suppliers and printers where relevant.
• Partners closely with sub functions within R&D, Marketing, Consumer Insights, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to deliver high‑quality, consumer‑centric products on time and within cost targets.
• Hands-on packaging development experience, strong understanding of different packaging materials and print processes & finishes and the ability to translate creative concepts into technically sound, manufacturable and commercially viable pack solutions, including gifting packaging.

Function/Business Unit Overview:

Group R&D predominantly supports EU BU whilst also scaling innovations where relevant across brands, categories and business units.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the development of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging for hygiene, skincare, haircare, body care & gifting from concept to launch ensuring performance, safety, regulatory compliance and manufacturability.
• Delivery of packaging solutions that align to our sustainability strategy and goals and mitigate the impact of packaging compliance such as EPR and Plastic packaging tax.
• Drive both new packaging innovation and core product renovation, balancing speed, cost, and quality.
• Advise on packaging technical feasibility, manufacturing constraints and timing considerations to ensure concepts are scalable and launch-ready.

Project Leadership:

• Own multiple mid‑complexity projects simultaneously, managing timelines, risk assessments, technical documentation, and cross‑functional alignment.
• Collaborate with Marketing to translate creative concepts into technically sound, manufacturable and commercially viable packaging.
• Work with product development to ensure formula‑package compatibility and sustainability considerations.

Supplier & Manufacturing Collaboration:

• Partner with and build strong supplier relationships with packaging suppliers, printers and CMOs.
• Support transfer of packaging into manufacturing sites, including line trials, filling trials; troubleshoot issues during trials and initial production run.
• Support press passes to ensure the product print and finish brings to life the creative concepts.
• Review and approve technical samples, packaging specifications and technical documentation.
• Evaluate cost‑saving and quality‑improvement opportunities across existing packaging.

Testing, Compliance & Documentation:

• Coordinate internal/external testing: compatibility, pack functionality testing & transit trials.
• Ensure all packaging meets regulatory, safety, quality and sustainability guidelines.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation (components specs, print specs, packing spec, and pack off instructions, change controls).
• Accountable for packaging data required to support SKU set up.

Desirable Skills:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent in packaging development, packaging design or similar related area.
• Experience with packaging development within a personal care beauty or related consumer products category.
• Experience in developing gift packaging.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials and their application to different product types.
• Strong understanding of print processes & finishes and print quality management.
• Hands-on packaging development experience: ability to take creative concepts to finished products independently.
• Working knowledge of packaging sustainability & regulatory requirements (e.g., EU, UK, US FDA depending on your region).
• Experience in line trials, print trials, packaging component and transit testing.

Core Competencies:

• Strong problem-solving approach with scientific rigor.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and timelines.
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills.
• Consumer- and brand-oriented mindset.
• Curiosity and eagerness to explore new technologies and industry trends.

Equal Opportunities:

At PZ Cussons, we value diversity and make sure everyone feels included. We want our team to reflect society and our global customers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and your unique perspective helps us develop brands and create new products for our consumers.

Please note that we are not able to offer visa sponsorship or assist with relocation support for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the country where this role is located before applying. If you need extra support during this process, please inform us so that we can accommodate your needs appropriately. It is important to us that all candidates feel recognised and have a good experience with PZ Cussons as part of our commitment to inclusivity.

PZ Cussons is big enough to make your mark, small enough to make it yours. Apply to join us!