Group Packaging Development Manager Maternity Cover

Overview:

A very exciting opportunity has become available for a maternity post for our Group Packaging Development Manager at Dunbia. The successful candidate must be a subject matter expert in packaging material technologies and packaging solutions with a responsibility for facilitating multi- discipline collaboration in Packaging Development with Operations, NPD, Technical, Purchasing and Sales. You will report directly to the Technical Director. You will manage the sustainable packaging strategy for the business and all customers, identify new and innovative packaging concepts and validate whether they are commercially viable and fit for purpose.

Responsibilities:

• Understand meat packaging application alongside packaging specification of all packaging across supply chains
• Engage with key suppliers to develop products and maintain effective relationships, keeping up to date with new developments in supplier offerings and materials technology.
• Customer facing, engage with Packaging teams and commercial account managers at key customers accounts to understand and inform customer packaging strategies and ensure constant alignment into Dunbia action plans.
• Provide packaging technical subject matter expertise and guidance and support to the operations, NPD, technical and commercial teams.
• Project manage new packaging initiatives against timelines agreed.
• Test new packaging concepts and ensure these are fully tested and viable across supply chain and internal operations, operational, technical and commercial.
• Support packaging trial processes for site teams that ensure Packaging Development is controlled and aligned to customer and internal standards.
• Support on delivering customer & business packaging strategies.
• Ensure new packaging initiatives are well communicated to key stakeholders.
• Lead value engineering projects that help to improve packaging environmental footprint whilst managing costs.
• Reduce material and review the end-to-end lifecycle of packaging to drive functional, environmental and economic benefits in packaging supply chain.
• Trouble shooting with operations teams, packaging suppliers and machinery supplier when problems with packaging arise to support and find solution
• Engaged with industry bodies & memberships across packaging groups UK & ROI, support reporting, including UK Plastic Pack, REPAK & Origin Green to name a few as examples

Qualifications:

• Diploma in Packaging technology and up to 8 years + previous experience in packaging management / development / technical
• Experience in project management, creating and managing critical paths
• Organised and able to manage several projects at the same time
• Knowledge on industry bodies and standards on packaging / existing and new legislation
• Previous experience in packaging of fresh and frozen protein desired
• Experience with polymers & polymer science as well as paper-based packaging (corrugate, solid board);
• Knowledge of various print technologies and processes.
• Must be computer literate.
• Approachable & excellent interpersonal and communication skills to manage many different areas across internal and external business
• Flexibility to travel across multiply sites and suppliers to accommodate business requirements, full driving license
• Able to enjoy working within a fast-moving environment.