Head of Packaging Development - 6 Month Fixed Term Contract

True North Talent Limited; Cumbernauld; Hybride; GBP 70 000 - 110 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Hybrid working arrangement

Performance-related bonus

Pension contribution

Generous holiday entitlement

Healthcare cash plan

Life assurance

Learning and development opportunities

Résumé du poste

True North Talent Limited is recruiting a Head of Packaging Development to lead the packaging function across a diverse FMCG portfolio. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on delivery from concept to market launch, driving innovation, sustainability, and cost optimisation.

You will own the packaging development agenda, partnering with R&D, Procurement, and Manufacturing to deliver high-impact packaging solutions that meet regulatory and quality standards while supporting growth and

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Packaging Technology, Engineering, Food Science, or related discipline.
• Significant packaging development experience within FMCG (beverages, food or consumer products).
• Proven experience leading and developing technical packaging teams.
• Strong knowledge of materials (PET, glass, aluminium), closures, labels and secondary packaging.
• Experience delivering packaging projects from concept through to market launch.

Responsabilités

• Lead and develop a high-performing packaging team.
• Shape and deliver the packaging strategy across innovation, sustainability, and supply continuity initiatives.
• Collaborate with R&D, Procurement, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Marketing to commercialise packaging solutions.
• Drive sustainability initiatives and compliance with UK/EU packaging regulations and food-contact legislation.
• Build relationships with suppliers, external partners, and industry bodies.

Connaissances

Packaging leadership

Team leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Packaging development

Commercial awareness

Formation

Degree in Packaging Technology / Engineering / Food Science

Outils

Packaging PLM systems

Description du poste

Location: Cumbernauld (Hybrid - 3 days in office)Contract: 6-Month Fixed Term Contract

An Exciting Leadership Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Head of Packaging Development to lead our packaging function across a diverse portfolio of consumer brands. This is a fantastic opportunity for a strategic and commercially focused packaging leader to drive innovation, sustainability, cost optimisation, and continuous improvement within a fast-paced FMCG environment.

Reporting into the senior R&D leadership team, you will be responsible for shaping and delivering the packaging strategy, leading a high-performing team, and ensuring packaging solutions are fit for purpose from concept through to successful market launch.

The RoleAs Head of Packaging Development, you will take full ownership of the packaging development agenda across innovation, sustainability, value engineering, and supply continuity initiatives. You will work closely with colleagues across R&D, Procurement, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Marketing to develop and commercialise packaging solutions that meet consumer needs, support business growth, and deliver operational excellence.

Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of packaging professionals.
• Build capability within the function to meet current and future business requirements.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability.
• Act as the packaging representative within cross-functional leadership forums.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and provide technical leadership across multiple projects.

Packaging Strategy & Development

• Deliver packaging projects across innovation, sustainability, cost reduction, and supply chain programmes.
• Ensure all packaging solutions are technically robust, commercially viable, and delivered to agreed timelines.
• Drive future packaging strategies aligned with changing consumer expectations and market trends.
• Conduct competitor benchmarking and identify emerging packaging technologies and opportunities.
• Ensure packaging specifications meet all relevant quality, food safety, and regulatory requirements.

Sustainability & Compliance

• Lead sustainability initiatives and future-proof packaging strategies against evolving legislation.
• Drive projects linked to:
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
  • Deposit Return Schemes (DRS)
  • Packaging reduction and recyclability improvements
  • Support Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and environmental impact reduction initiatives.
  • Ensure compliance with UK and European packaging regulations and food-contact legislation.

Innovation & Technical Excellence

• Develop and implement new packaging technologies and materials.
• Partner with manufacturing teams to ensure successful trials and product launches.
• Manage technical relationships with packaging suppliers and external partners.
• Support the use of digital tools, PLM systems, and emerging technologies to enhance packaging development processes.
• Build strong relationships with industry bodies, research organisations, and academic institutions.

About You

We're looking for an experienced packaging leader with a strong technical background and a passion for innovation.

Essential Experience

• Degree qualified in Packaging Technology, Engineering, Food Science, or a related discipline.
• Significant packaging development experience within FMCG, ideally beverages, alcohol, food, or consumer products.
• Proven experience leading and developing technical packaging teams.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials including PET, glass, aluminium, closures, labels, and secondary packaging.
• Experience delivering successful packaging projects from concept through to commercial launch.

Technical Knowledge

• Excellent understanding of beverage manufacturing and packaging processes.
• Knowledge of packaging legislation, food-contact regulations, and quality standards.
• Experience working within ISO, BRC, HACCP, and related quality management systems.
• Understanding of sustainability frameworks including EPR, DRS, and LCA methodologies.
• Experience with packaging specifications and product lifecycle management systems.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness.
• Highly collaborative with excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Innovative, analytical and solutions-focused.
• Confident communicator who can bridge technical and commercial discussions.
• Passionate about developing teams and driving continuous improvement.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary
• Performance-related bonus
• Pension contribution
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Flexible benefits package
• Healthcare cash plan
• Life assurance
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Opportunity to make a significant impact within a leading consumer goods business

If you're an experienced packaging leader looking for your next challenge and have the expertise to drive innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

Why True North Talent?

True North Talent specialises exclusively in recruitment across the UK food and drink manufacturing industry. We understand the sector, the challenges businesses are facing and the experience required to succeed within it.

Our specialist consultants work closely with both clients and candidates to ensure we're not simply matching a CV to a job description – we’re helping people make the right career move and businesses secure the expertise they need.

We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website.

We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK.

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.