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 to succeed here 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 Click "Apply" to get started. What will this role achieve? pladis works in highly competitive, fast-moving markets where it is essential to maintain and extend market share through profitable branded growth. It also has a bold growth plan for emerging markets where offering the right value proposition is critical. 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. Experience in leading multi-site Packaging projects is crucial and Consumer Science and Shopper related Packaging Insights is desirable. Key areas of focus are: Support the building, maintenance of and delivery of an aligned Packaging program. Own & deliver quality Packaging Specifications Provide innovative, cost effective, optimised & simplified solutions Create partnerships, relationships - at sites as appropriate The role is location is flexible but required to travel to main project sites, Carlisle, Aintree and Manchester. Direct input to relevant packaging development projects and working with the technical operations team members to deliver the program. The role will work with the extended team members across the broader pladis organisation, as necessary, to deliver projects. The job holder will be required to develop new packaging formats, Innovation in packaging and potential value improvement programmes. The role is proactive 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 What will be your key deliverables? PACKAGING Delivery of the agreed Packaging programme, working closely with Marketing, Product Development and Operations to deliver a major transformational project Owner of packaging specifications and implementation processes. Provide support to sites to ensure delivery of solutions Interface with the other Packaging team members and build on their combined expertise in the creation of new Packaging solutions, as the need arises. 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 and delivery 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 partners 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. Bring your experience Essential Criteria Experience in Food Manufacturing or FMCG environment in a 'hands-on' Packaging Technical role with competency across a broad range of packaging materials and their respective machinery interfaces. Sound understanding of: Business terminology Product to Market Technical Systems, Common business tools and databases, Microsoft Office, SAP Working knowledge of Performance characteristics of flexible plastics, rigid plastics, carton board, corrugated, tins (as relevant to the site) Planning, managing and reviewing factory trials Basic Food Hygiene HND or higher qualification in Packaging, Engineering, Design Desirable criteria Machinery design/supplier background. Materials expertise in Flexibles, Paper and Corrugated board. Project Management Essentials Capex process understanding Full understanding of all relevant Key Performance Indicator's Quality management Systems; Product Quality Evaluation (PQE), Process Control Management, Complaint Review and control, Product and Packaging Assessment (PPA), Point of Purchase Product Assessment (POPA) Plant familiarisation (e.g Machine Overview) top-line detail Knowledge of GMP Knowledge of Customer Codes of Practice (COP) Specification review process Financial understanding Understanding of Packaging machinery design. Knowledge of Packaging industry specifications and standards Knowledge of SAP, CAPE, CAD systems Diploma in Packaging Technology Personal Attributes Cross-functional team-working and networking skills needed for effective collaboration. Strong team player with capability to manage personal efficiency to meet deadlines. Honors commitments and takes accountability for delivery Takes responsibility for personal development with a positive approach to improvement and change Focused on results and has the external attitude needed to constructively challenge the status quo, seeking out standard processes. High resilience, flexibility with a positive 'can do' attitude with a bias for action and capable of making confident decisions. Our Purpose Bring happiness with every bite It's a purpose that every one of our colleagues, all around the world believes in. And while we're all unique, we also share the same values. Each of our values is important on its own. In combination they're incredibly powerful. Our values have deep personal meaning to us. They're part of who we are and what we stand for as an employer Living our pladis values is a key part of success, look out for questions in your interview that link to these key pladis values. 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. We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business. We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.