NPD Coordinator: Packaging Innovation & Launch

Smurfit Westrock; Uphill; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking an NPD Coordinator to join our Technical team. This role is ideal for a recent graduate or apprentice looking to begin a career in product development and manufacturing.

You will learn how innovative packaging solutions are developed, produced and delivered to customers while working with experienced colleagues across Design, Production, Quality, Customer Service and Sales. Full training and mentoring will be provided.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate or early-career candidate seeking a role in product development or manufacturing.
• Experience with packaging, design, or manufacturing is a plus.
• Ability to learn quickly and work across teams.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving mindset.
• Strong communication and stakeholder relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate artwork approval processes and ensure milestones are achieved on time.
• Maintain accurate artwork, packaging specifications, and supporting documentation prior to production release.
• Support the timely approval of customer packaging designs to ensure successful product launches.
• Manage print, artwork, tooling, stereo, and forme records to ensure they remain accurate and up to date.
• Support document control activities to maintain compliance with customer and internal requirements.
• Coordinate tooling orders, maintenance, and record-keeping to ensure operational readiness.
• Build strong supplier relationships to improve service, responsiveness, and performance.
• Contribute to feasibility assessments and new product development projects.
• Ensure manufacturing requirements are considered and communicated throughout project planning.
• Facilitate the smooth transfer of products from development into production.
• Work collaboratively with Design, Production, Quality, Customer Service, and Sales teams.
• Analyse production, tooling, and quality data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

MS Office

Communication

Problem solving

Willingness to learn

Education

Design/Engineering/Manufacturing or Business qualification

Job description

Smurfit Westrock is seeking an NPD Coordinator to join our Technical team. This role is ideal for a recent graduate or apprentice looking to begin a career in product development and manufacturing.

You will learn how innovative packaging solutions are developed, produced and delivered to customers while working with experienced colleagues across Design, Production, Quality, Customer Service and Sales. Full training and mentoring will be provided.