Senior Packaging Development Digital Manager – Southampton
BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World.
Key Objectives and Expectations
This role owns the digital transformation of packaging R&D by implementing advanced systems, AI enabled tools, and data driven workflows.
Direct Impact
This role directly accelerates the speed, quality, and consistency of packaging development by accelerating predictive modelling and simulation, delivering next generation artwork development systems, creating digital tools and upgrading specifications. All these significantly uplift the Packaging team’s capability and strengthen R&D’s overall innovation, efficiency, and technical decision making‑.
Your Key Responsibilities Will Include
* Define and implement the digital strategy for packaging R&D, including CAD automation, AI enabled design tools, predictive modelling, simulation, next generation artwork development AI-enabled models and digital material libraries.
* Introduce and scale AI, automation, and advanced analytics, enabling faster concept creation, automated tolerance analysis, improved prototyping cycles, and earlier risk identification.
* Drive capability building within the Packaging team, upskilling engineers in digital tools, systems use, data literacy, and AI assisted engineering practices.
* Collaborate with DBS, R&D, Ops and external partners to identify emerging technologies, integrate new platforms, and ensure robust digital infrastructure for future ready packaging development.
* Improve speed to market and technical agility by reducing manual workflows, improving design reuse, and enabling rapid scenario modelling and digital validation.
* Provide digital insights and dashboards, improving portfolio visibility, resource allocation, project tracking, and technical performance metrics.
* Own and advance digital packaging specification management ensuring creation, governance, and lifecycle control of digital specifications across materials, components, and assemblies—driving accuracy, traceability, and seamless integration with PLM and supplier systems.
Experience Required
* Significant experience in packaging development across multiple categories
* Proven leadership in digital transformation projects in packaging
* Experience with engineering software, such as CAD/CAE platforms, simulation tools, power BI etc, as well as experience with artwork development software programs
Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required
* Experience in PLM/Specification Systems
* Knowledge of AI/ML-driven engineering tools, such as generative design, predictive modelling, tolerance automation, and digital simulation workflows, as well as data capability and understanding of analytics tools (Power BI, Minitab etc).
* Understanding of digital lab workflows, digital test methods, and structured engineering data capture for packaging
* Creative and technical problem-solving skills and idea generation; excellent collaborator with internal / external partner in complex projects
Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required
* Engineering/Material science-based degree
What we offer you
* We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
* Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives.
* Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
* You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills.
* We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.
EEO Statement
We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.
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