Location: UK (R8) or Belgium (Tour & Taxis) Subject to Consultation About the Role The Barrier & Material Specialist will be r esponsible for evaluating, developing, and optimising packaging materials for primary packaging and direct food contact applications, to ensure product protection, shelf-life, cost and sustainability targets are achieved. This role provides a deep material and barrier science expertise to support the platform in selecting and validating materials across different packaging formats. The specialist contributes to the technical definition of material specifications, supports testing and analysis, and drives innovation in barrier performance, recyclability and material optimization. You will play a crucial hands-on role in bridging material science with functional packaging performance. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead ba rrier and material selection for primary packaging. Evaluate and recommend appropriate materials based on product requirements, barrier needs and regulatory compliance Collaborate closely with designers to match material performance with pack formats, converting requirements and filling conditions Conduct and coordinate testing of oxygen, moisture and aroma barrier properties using standardized test methods. Translate results into actionable recommendations Model or test material interactions with various food types, includings acidic, fatty or high-moisture products, in collaboration with food safety Partner with food safety to assess materials for potential migration risks and ensure compliance with global food contact regulations Explore and continuously evaluate together with R&D new barriers that meet functional and environmental goals without compromising product protection and cost Work closely with the Operations and Mechanisation Manager to implement barrier printing at site level when Act as the internal material expert across the development stages Support the sub-regional innovation design network on barrier selection when needed Design and execute lab-scale and industrial-scale tests to validate barrier performance, sealing behavior, machinability and regulatory fit. About You B achelor’s or Master’s degree i n materials/polymer science or chemistry Deep understanding of polymer types, multilayer structures, coatings and barrier technologies Skilled in interpreting barrier test data and applying this knowledge to real-world solutions Familiarity with how packaging materials interact with different products /foods, environmental conditions and filling processes Awareness of recyclability standards and material alternatives. APPLICATIONS CLOSING DATE: 12th DECEMBER 2025