Based - Homebased with travel to other sites
12 Month FTC, 4 days per week - 30 hrs.
Join Premier Foods - where people, brands and purpose come together.
We're proud to be one of the UK's largest listed food businesses, with over 4,000 colleagues across 13 sites shaping the future of some of Britain's best-loved brands, found in 94% of households nationwide, making us one of the UK's top three ambient food suppliers. From much-loved household names such as Mr Kipling, Bisto, Oxo, Batchelors and Sharwoods, to our recently welcomed brands Fuel10k and Merchant Gourmet, our portfolio is packed with iconic favourites - and continues to grow.
Are you passionate about creating innovative, sustainable, and commercially impactful packaging solutions? We're looking for an Associate Packaging Development Manager to join our R&D team and help shape the future of our category-leading brands.
In this role, you'll drive packaging development that supports NPD, EPD and innovation across the business-delivering formats that excite consumers, enhance brand presence, and align with our ESG ambitions.
What we need from you...
* Significant experience in a packaging technology role (ideally Food, Beverage, or Pharma).
* Proven track record delivering packaging R&D projects from concept to launch.
* Strong technical capability across multiple packaging materials, processes and print.
* Experience developing new pack formats with suppliers and third-party manufacturers.
* Creativity and curiosity for packaging innovation, print embellishment, and brand elevation.
* Strong communication and project management skills.
* Ability to independently manage capital investment projects.
* Confidence in working across multiple projects simultaneously.
* Science-based degree in packaging, materials, design or engineering
* Institute of Packaging Diploma
* Knowledge of thermal processing/preservation in ambient foods
* People-management experience.
As our Associate Packaging Development Manager, you will:
* Create and develop innovative packaging formats aligned to brand plans and briefs.
* Present compelling packaging concepts that deliver strong on-shelf appeal and support sustainability goals.
* Proactively source and lead the development of new pack formats and materials from concept through to implementation.
* Manage the full packaging development process, including costings, sampling, trials, validation, and compliance.
* Champion new packaging technologies and identify opportunities that elevate product innovation.
* Develop packaging and machine supplier partnerships, ensuring strong technical collaboration.
* Build robust specifications, ensuring correct and timely data through internal systems and databases.
* Ensure compliance with all U.K. and international packaging legislation, keeping key teams informed of updates.
* Support packaging value improvement projects through material, format or supplier optimisation.
* Lead artwork sign-off for packaging criteria.
* Manage and support a small team of packaging technologists and apprentice.
What we offer you in return...?
* Competitive salary
* Bonus
* Up to 7.5% pension
* Life assurance
* Wide range of online and in-house training
* Access to an employee discount scheme, with access to hundreds of nationwide retailers
Ready to apply...?
Click apply, submitting an up-to-date CV tailored to this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you.
At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.
We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you experience any access issues or require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know so we can ensure you have the support you need.
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