Our client is a well-established and successful manufacturer.  They have an exciting opportunity for a Level 3 Packaging Specialist / Packing Technologist to join their team. 

Salary £40,000.  Monday to Friday, day working hours.

Applicant Experience:

•    You will already have experience in a similar role (Packaging Expert / Packaging Product Developer)
•    You have a PIABC Level 3 Certificate in Packaging Technology, or a similar Packaging related qualification.
•    Working in a fast-moving, complex environment requiring flexibility and agility in managing priorities and stakeholders, preferably with a factory background.
•    Managing multiple development projects from concept to launch.
•    Experience in influencing projects and business strategies. 
•    Record of proactive continuous improvement involvement. 
•    Demonstrate project management skills. 
•    Confidence and ability to escalate issues to the appropriate functional person responsible, ability to challenge peers when necessary.
•    Fundamental understanding of the science and engineering associated with packaging substrates used within the Waters product portfolio with relevant academic qualification (Degree in Packaging/Chemical/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, Printing, Packaging Diploma).
•    Working knowledge of manufacturing, QA, and supply chain quality systems, including the company Food Safety and Quality Management system (NQMS, NGMP, HACCP). 
•    Detailed understanding of packaging Safety, Quality, and Compliance requirements. 
•    Working knowledge of the company NPDI and associated product development processes. 
•    Understanding of manufacturing performance indicators. Understanding of the organization and their responsibilities: Zones, SBUs/GMBs, PTCs/R&DCs, and the role of R&D as functional lead for AG, and knowing the appropriate contacts for AGs in the PTCs/R&DCs. 
•    Understanding of related functions and their roles (Quality, Engineering, Regulatory, R&D, Procurement).
•    Packaging materials and process awareness, including knowledge of materials, production processes, conversion, and suppliers. 
•    Core knowledge of the 10 Business Principles. SAP, GLOBE, EcoDEX knowledge, and competence in their use.

Personal Qualities:

•    Flexible and agile in approach
•    Proactive in challenging the status quo
•    Ability to communicate with individuals at all levels in the business.
•    Proactive training and coaching capability to enable knowledge transfer to peers and operators.
•    Keeping abreast of knowledge on technical advancement and developments within his/her area of expertise
•    Good networking abilities and able to work cross-functionally and able to work under pressure, with ability to lead change
•    Passionate about the products, consumers, and category.
•    Committed to manufacture of safe and compliant products
•    Have an analytical mindset and the ability to problem solve complex issues

Main Purpose of Job:

•    To develop and/or introduce new ingredients, packaging, and processes within the factory, while taking into consideration compliance with company and external standards and policies. 
•    To support technology and know-how transfer to the factory(ies). 
•    To contribute to/manage New Product Development (NPD) projects. 
•    To support factory(ies) and marketing teams on projects/initiatives related to packaging, processes, and technologies. 
•    To be the knowledge owner for his/her area of expertise for the pack formats in scope.

Key Outputs:    

Execution of I&R Strategy:

•    Lead development projects from concept to industrialization within multi-disciplined project teams, with a focus on line performance, cost efficiency, on-time delivery, and product quality.
•    Contribute towards significant investment projects in the factory.
•    Provide detailed input to key project stages within the gate approval process.
•    Provide packaging input within the AGs, proposing and evaluating the best packaging alternatives for new products and improvements to existing products.
•    Organize and document production trials, including machinability, shelf-life, storage handling, laboratory, and transport tests for validation of new packaging and changes in specifications.
•    Manage the Technical Acceptance of New Products process.

Optimisation/improvement of current products and processes within factory(ies) using local business and supply situation:

•    Contribute to/manage projects/initiatives related to packaging & process improvements within his/her area of expertise.
•    Carry out the development and implementation of optimised packaging specifications to deliver cost savings, specification consolidation across the company, or facilitate BCP strategy to ensure continuity of supply.
•    Support Packaging Head Office and Procurement in the selection, assessment, and development of new suppliers/converters.
•    Manage the investigation of packaging material complaints with the factory and suppliers, then collaborate to resolve them.    

Have the competencies required for the job and as a member of AG to enable the AG to be the local centre of expertise for packaging:

•    Develop and maintain the competencies required for packaging knowledge within his/her area of expertise and as per the job position.
•    Act as the link between Market Packaging Manager, R&D, and Factory Operations: maintain contact with R&D and other AGs within the packaging category, at least to share best practices. When appropriate, participate in Market or Business Specific Expert Networks (BSEN), webinars, or R&D Expert Networks to leverage knowledge.    

Compliance with all systems requirements:

•    Implement packaging-related quality and compliance directives.
•    Drive quality improvements in packaging.
•    Participate in supplier audits.    

Technical assistance to factory(ies):

•    Assist factory(ies) and provide them with services necessary to ensure on-line packaging performance.
•    Provide comprehensive packaging technical support for technical assistance requests from the factory(ies).
•    Ensure knowledge transfer to the factory(ies) related to packaging and substrates within his/her area of expertise, i.e., act as a local training resource to operators.    

Data Management:

•    Creation and maintenance of packaging specifications.
•    Develops new pallet layouts/designs for new packs/formats.
•    Provides ongoing optimisation to existing pallet layouts (cost benefits, improved safety factors).
•    Manages all other factory-specific packaging administration.    
•    Conducting internal and external audits of the PMPS approval process.
•    Achieving a reduction in pallet failures attributed to layout/design, measured in distribution centres (DCs).
•    Realising cost savings in distribution through increased pallet utilisation.

(This job would suit someone with previous similar job titles such as; Packaging Designer / Packaging Engineer / Packaging Technician / Packaging Professional)