Location: Normanton (Hybrid 3 days office, 2 days home)
POSITION SUMMARY
As a Packaging Technologist, you will play a key role in driving packaging innovation and renovation projects that support the strategic goals of the Packaging Development team. You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering packaging solutions that meet performance standards, ensure food safety, and provide value to both the business and its customers—while maintaining cost efficiency.
You will benefit from working with circa 20 different packaging categories due to our diverse range of customers & product ranges. Which will allow you to develop your career further. You'll also have the chance to work on exciting projects within sustainability and NPD.
This role requires deep technical knowledge across a wide range of packaging materials, including but not limited to poly films, corrugated board, and paperboard. You’ll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across multiple sites, as well as external suppliers, to ensure successful project execution aligned with business requirements.
ROLE DETAILS & RESPONSIBILITIES
* Simultaneously lead multiple Innovation & Renovation projects from concept through commercialisation using an established stage gate process to achieve business objectives
* Develops and executes packaging qualification plans, including plant trials; reporting against predetermined key performance indicators to verify impact/mitigate risk of packaging changes
* Identifies packaging related innovation, sustainability, cost savings, technology, material standardisation, waste, and productivity/process improvement opportunities; implementing such opportunities when supported by a business case
* Provide technical expertise to multiple functional areas (including but not limited to Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales and Marketing) to overcome business challenges
* Challenges conventional thinking on packaging related subjects; implementing creative solutions to continuously improve business impact
* Serves as the technical owner in the creation and maintenance of packaging specifications within SAP PLM across all phases of development
* Performs other duties as assigned
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
* Bachelor’s degree in a relevant Science or Engineering discipline, or equivalent experience in a comparable environment. Postgraduate qualifications or the IOM3 Certificate/Diploma in Packaging Technology are advantageous.
* Hands-on experience in packaging development, ideally within the Food & Beverage or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry.
* Developing foundational knowledge of packaging materials and equipment commonly used in Food & Beverage or CPG manufacturing environments, with support and guidance from senior team members.
* Growing experience in problem-solving, with developing ability to apply technical reasoning to support decision-making under guidance from team members.
* Developing project coordination skills, with growing experience supporting cross-functional initiatives and contributing to packaging-related improvements under supervision.
* Ability to apply critical thinking to translate customer insights and requirements into practical, innovative packaging solutions.
* Building skills in analysing data and supporting root cause investigations to help resolve packaging-related issues.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
* English is the primary language of communication
TRAVEL
* This position will require travel, primarily throughout UK (approximately 10%) with potential for international travel project depending.