PPWR Solution Packaging Manager

Cooper; Paris; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cooper is looking for a dedicated Packaging Solution Manager in Paris to lead packaging compliance and sustainability initiatives. You will manage PPWR compliance, assist Marketing in optimizing packaging, and drive projects to ensure operational excellence across multiple sites.

The ideal candidate has over 7 years in pharma or FMCG packaging and holds a Master’s degree in a relevant field. Join Cooper to play a pivotal role in shaping sustainable packaging practices.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in pharma or FMCG packaging with factory/industrial and project management experience.
• Proven ability to manage end-to-end packaging change projects.
• Fluent in English; knowledge of French and/or Italian is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead CCH’s response to PPWR compliance from regulatory analysis to actionable steps.
• Coordinate cross-functional workstreams to deliver packaging projects on time.
• Manage EPR declarations and ensure data accuracy across markets.

Skills

PPWR compliance knowledge

Project Management

Leadership

Regulatory analysis

Packaging materials knowledge

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in packaging/material science/industrial engineering

Job description

PPWR (Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation) is reshaping how pharma and consumer health companies design and manage packaging. Cooper Consumer Health (CCH) needs a dedicated expert to own that agenda.

The Packaging Solution Manager is CCH’s internal reference for PPWR and packaging sustainability: building the compliance roadmap, setting internal standards and personally leading the projects that follow.

Beyond compliance, the role bridges two worlds: helping Marketing leverage packaging as a consumer experience and shelf‑performance driver, while ensuring those ambitions hold up on the factory floor — at our sites and across our CMO network.

You will set the sustainability direction, then personally drive the projects — working alongside the Group Packaging Manager and cross‑functional team across our portfolio and CMO network.

Key responsibilities

1. PPWR Compliance & Packaging Sustainability — Primary Driver

This is the heart of the role. You will own CCH’s response to PPWR end‑to‑end — from regulatory analysis through to concrete action on the portfolio.

• Map the portfolio against PPWR and EU Green Deal targets; maintain a live compliance gap analysis by market, category, and packaging type.
• Define CCH’s eco‑design guidelines and sustainability standards — the rules all future packaging changes must meet.
• Own the PPWR action roadmap: prioritise projects, align stakeholders, and track delivery against regulatory milestones.
• Evaluate sustainable alternatives (PCR resins, mono‑material blister, FSC board, weight reduction) and build business cases for adoption.
• Embed sustainability criteria in the NPD and change management stage‑gate, with RA, Quality, Procurement, Production, Supply Chain, R&D, Sustainability and Marketing; monitor evolving EU packaging legislation and translate it into actionable steps.

2. Packaging Project Leadership — Leader & Doer

The projects you define, you deliver. Beyond PPWR‑driven changes, you bring your expertise to other packaging transformation initiatives across the portfolio.

• Own priority packaging projects end‑to‑end — feasibility, qualification, regulatory support, and launch — on existing and new products.
• Maintain project plans, risk registers, and stage‑gate docs; track milestones in Wrike against portfolio commitments.
• Coordinate cross‑functional workstreams (RA, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, Production, Supply Chain, R&D, Sustainability, Artwork, Marketing) across sites and CMOs to deliver on time and on spec.
• Ground project decisions in manufacturing reality — what is achievable at site and CMO level.

3. Packaging Systems & EPR Declarations

• Coordinate EPR declarations across all markets (France/Citeo, Germany/Grüner Punkt, Italy/CONAI, BeLux/Fost Plus, Netherlands) — data accuracy, filling deadlines, and cost tracking as schemes evolve.
• Own the packaging data system (Packa or equivalent): drive adoption, maintain master data (materials, weights, recyclability), and ensure CMOs supply data on time.
• Use EPR cost data to sharpen the PPWR roadmap: identify where eco‑modulation levers (recyclability, recycled content, weight reduction) generate most value; share with Finance and Procurement.

Education

Master’s degree or Engineering school (Bac+5) in packaging, materials science, industrial engineering, or a related field.

Required Experience & Skills

• 7+ years in pharma, consumer health, or FMCG packaging — combining factory/industrial experience with corporate or project management roles.
• End‑to‑end packaging change projects: design, specs, supplier qualification, regulatory filing, and launch.
• Proven ability to define packaging standards and specs applied consistently across a multi‑site or multi‑CMO organization.
• Working knowledge of PPWR, EU sustainability regulation, and EPR schemes — able to translate requirements into action.
• Experience in international companies, navigating cross‑functional environments (Marketing, RA, Quality).
• Proficient across packaging materials (glass, plastic, aluminium, board, laminate) and printing technologies.
• Strong Project Management skills (structured and autonomous, comfortable managing concurrent projects in a matrix environment).
• Fluent in English; French and/or Italian a strong plus.

Soft Skills & Ways of Working

• Autonomy & ownership
• Leader & doer
• Cross‑functional credibility
• Industrial pragmatism
• Clear communicator