Senior Paper Packaging Development Manager - M/F/X

Mars; Montpellier; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars, at its Aimargues site near Montpellier, seeks a Packaging Development Manager for Paper Packaging. You will own recyclable paper bag projects from concept through plant deployment, collaborating with suppliers and cross-functional teams to turn sustainable ideas into scalable solutions.

The role emphasizes food-contact packaging expertise, risk management, and barrier paper solutions, with up to 10% travel in a permanent capacity. A dynamic, global R&D environment awaits you.

Qualifications

• Proven technical expertise in paper-based packaging materials.
• Experience with medium to large packaging formats or barrier paper packaging.
• Strong risk management and qualification protocol experience.
• Fluent English with excellent cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end paper packaging innovation projects from brief to deployment across plants.
• Define and execute robust qualification protocols with suppliers and internal teams.
• Oversee plant trials, testing standards, and ongoing optimization of specs.
• Share expert knowledge on paper materials across cross-functional teams and global R&D networks.

Skills

Paper packaging expertise

Risk management

English fluency

Education

Packaging Engineering degree

Job description

Job Description:

Location: Based at our global headquarters in Aimargues, located just 30 minutes from the city of Montpellier. Our campus offers direct access to major European hubs while letting you enjoy 300 days of sunshine a year!

Segment: Royal Canin

Type of contract: Permanent - 10% travel

As a Packaging Development Manager - Paper Packaging, you will be the dedicated technical expert driving our next generation of recyclable paper bag solutions. In this newly created role, you will take ownership of projects from initial concept to plant industrialization, partnering with world-class suppliers and cross-functional teams to turn sustainable innovation into reality.

What are we looking for?

• You bring proven technical expertise in paper-based packaging materials, with mandatory hand-on experience in medium to large packaging formats/industrial multiwall bags and/or other type of barrier paper packaging.
• You have strong experience in risk management and qualification protocols for packaging solutions.
• You hold a Packaging Engineering degree (or equivalent Master's degree) with significant, solid experience in packaging development.
• You are fluent in English with excellent cross-functional communication skills.
• Direct experience in food contact packaging and recyclable barrier solutions is an asset.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Lead end-to-end paper packaging innovation projects: Drive the development of recyclable paper packaging solutions from initial brief to full industrial deployment across manufacturing plants, ensuring on-time delivery and alignment with production KPIs.
• Drive sustainable packaging roadmap & supplier qualification: Partner closely with external packaging suppliers, Procurement, and Sustainability teams to define and execute robust qualification protocols, ensuring conformity with performance, food safety, and circularity requirements.
• Oversee technical risk analysis and line trials: Lead plant-level packaging trials, define testing standards, and continuously optimize specifications and qualification processes to guarantee operational robustness.
• Fuel innovation and share technical expertise: Act as the subject matter expert on paper materials across cross-functional teams and global R&D networks, leveraging industry trends, symposiums, and continuous improvement initiatives.

What can you expect from Mars?

• At Mars, we believe in a relationship of mutual trust, dignity and respect between our company and Associates that is more meaningful than the standard employer/employee relationship.
• As Associates, we can expect to be respected, supported and valued as individuals, to be treated fairly and equitably.
• The opportunity to learn and develop, taking charge of your own career across Mars.
• As this is a new role for Royal Canin, you will be able to contribute to its shaping and evolution.
• You will work in a multicultural environment (more than 40 nationalities) and where your dog will be welcomed by more than 100 other Associates' dogs at the office!
• You will work in a unique campus, which gathers more than 800 Associates working for: the international HQ, the French subsidiary, two laboratories, a kennel and a cattery with more than 200 cats & dogs, and finally the most important factory of the Royal Canin group.
• Royal Canin's CSR commitments, to build a better world for tomorrow: Since 2015, no waste to landfill is made by the 16 Royal Canin factories in the world.