Packaging Development Technologist

Job Title: Packaging Development Technologist

Salary: £45-50K Basic (depending on experience) + benefits

Location: Hybrid Working - 2 Days in London Office

Reference: J6635

A leading healthcare manufacturer, which has built up an impressive portfolio of products sold across the continent, is experience a significant and exciting transformation period. This client is looking to add talented, ambitions individuals to its team, helping to drive meaningful impact across the business.

The objective of this Packaging Development Technologist role is to provide advice and solutions regarding all technical packaging requirements across the organisation. We’re seeking a consumer facing individual who will drive the company’s sustainability agenda to align with brand positioning.

Working closely with NPD and Innovation, Creative, Technical, Production, Procurement, Quality and Marketing, the Packaging Development Technologist will provide innovative options on new and existing product and packaging upgrades as well as driving a continuous improvement and sustainability packaging agenda. Strong communication and influencing skills will be critical to this role to build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

This job opportunity would be ideal for an experienced innovative Packaging Technologist who already has several years’ experience in the FMCG/ pharmaceutical market, due to seniority and influence required in this standalone role. This is a hybrid role, that requires 2 days per week onsite in London.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing support to the New Product Development/Innovation and Portfolio Management Processes, by creating the best product solution for the consumer, help define packaging specifications, costs and ensure process capability.
• Driving the sustainability agenda in collaboration with the CSR & Environment Team and working with Supply Chain and Procurement.
• Keep abreast of packaging sustainability, ethical supply routes and global sourcing developments, trends etc.
• Source new packaging and/or suppliers in line with design briefs or procurement projects and maintain collaborative relationships
• Attend first off production runs at our manufacturing sites and at suppliers as required.
• Provide technical support to Procurement on new and existing packaging sourcing requirements, identifying and actualising opportunities for cost and quality improvement.
• Lead change control and line trials for new Packaging initiatives from Procurement, NPD or the Head of Production until completion.
• Ensure that packaging components and specifications are consistent with third party manufacturers, machinery and quality control requirements.
• Manage, maintain and update all specifications for packaging, logistics and technical drawings across the organisation, including third party manufactured products, within the QMS system.
• Artwork approval for technical elements including barcodes
• Support product master data setups for technical elements (SAP data) such as BOMS.
• Establish strong technical relationships with internal and external stakeholders to reduce/eliminate manufacturing downtime due to packaging inefficiencies and continuously work together on improvements.
• Contribute to profit improvement initiatives through packaging rationalisation and other cost saving initiatives.
• Provide Packaging advice or support where required for capital expenditure projects on new production equipment.
• Provide support to Quality when required for material defect reports (MDR), helping to resolve issues where the supplier has identified an issue in the packaging design or their process capability.
• Support the Stability team by providing packaging, specifications, and advice when required for stability protocols.
• Provide technical guidance on all packaging related matters.
• Carry out any other reasonable tasks requested by Management

We’d love you to have

• Open mindset and deep curiosity seeking to understand others, listen without judgement and act on diverse perspectives
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and psychologically safe work environment
• Extensive experience in Pharma, Cosmetics, Toiletries or FMCG
• Experience of working with Technical, Quality, Production, Procurement, and Commercial departments to resolve and document packaging issues
• Strong understanding of pharma regulations and requirements
• Established working relationships with external suppliers and industry experts within the Packaging industry
• Current knowledge of packaging developments and industry trends
• Proven track record of managing projects from start to finish
• Understanding of technical administration, including packaging specifications
• Proficient IT skills across Microsoft 365 suite