NPD Packaging Developer

MM Flowers Ltd; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading packaging company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Packaging Developer to innovate and deliver high-quality, sustainable packaging solutions for diverse products including flowers and gifts. The ideal candidate has 5-10 years of experience in packaging development, strong technical knowledge, and expertise in materials and design. This role requires effective collaboration across teams and with suppliers to align with business objectives. Competitive salary and on-site work environment offered.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years’ experience in packaging development or a related role.
• Strong technical knowledge of packaging design, print, and reprographics processes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple briefs in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Drive the creation of market-leading packaging from concept to launch.
• Manage packaging timelines to align with customer expectations.
• Oversee packaging projects ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Skills

Packaging innovation

Technical knowledge of packaging design

Adobe Creative Suite

Collaboration skills

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in product, surface, or graphic design

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The NPD Packaging Developer is responsible for creating innovative, sustainable, and commercially viable packaging solutions across all categories, currently flowers and gifting.

Accountability Areas

• Packaging Innovation & Development – Driving the creation of market‑leading packaging from concept to launch, ensuring solutions protect and enhance product quality while meeting customer and brand requirements.
• Supplier & Stakeholder Collaboration – Building strong supplier relationships worldwide, ensuring ethical sourcing and sustainability are prioritised, while working closely with internal teams to align packaging with business and customer needs.
• Project Delivery & Technical Support – Managing deadlines, artwork, specifications, and troubleshooting issues in production to ensure packaging is delivered on time, to the right quality, and in line with customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Delivery of a clear packaging roadmap with measurable actions, aligned with business and customer objectives.
• Embedding sustainability and ethical sourcing within packaging procurement and development.
• Regularly introducing packaging innovations that enhance product value and customer experience.
• Challenging existing approaches to deliver disruptive, forward‑thinking solutions.
• Ownership of technical concept development, artwork, and packaging specifications.
• Ability to resolve packaging quality issues quickly and effectively.
• Effective collaboration with Procurement, Commercial, Technical, and NPD teams.
• Building trusted relationships with suppliers, customers, and cross‑functional colleagues.
• Timely delivery of packaging projects, aligned with customer deadlines and seasonal peaks.
• High attention to detail in specifications, artwork, and documentation.
• Own and lead MM Flowers’ packaging projects from concept through to launch.
• Use internal and external data sources to generate innovative, market‑leading solutions.
• Present packaging concepts, trends, and risks to customers, positioning MM Flowers as a packaging thought‑leader.
• Develop packaging briefs and specifications, ensuring all details (cutting/folding guides, certifications, recyclability) are accurate.
• Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships across the UK, Europe, and Far East.
• Ensure sustainability and ethical sourcing are embedded in all packaging developments.
• Work with suppliers to secure competitive and commercially viable quotes for new packaging designs.
• Explore new materials and technologies, driving continuous improvement in packaging sustainability metrics.
• Manage packaging innovation deadlines to align with customer expectations and NPD project plans.
• Oversee artwork creation, ensuring compliance with brand guidelines before handover to procurement.
• Track packaging manufacturing assets across MM Flowers’ sites, troubleshooting issues as they arise.
• Support seasonal and event‑based planning to ensure packaging availability and performance during peaks.
• Review and sign off packaging specifications, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Work with Procurement and QA to ensure materials meet specification at first delivery.
• Monitor packaging complaints, investigate root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Problem‑solve printing or finishing challenges, approving concessions where necessary.
• Attend packaging conferences, exhibitions, and store visits to identify trends and innovations.
• Share insights with the wider NPD and Procurement teams to encourage knowledge‑sharing and continuous improvement.
• Provide training or guidance across departments to embed packaging quality standards.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years’ experience in packaging development or a related role.
• Strong technical knowledge of packaging design, print, and reprographics processes.
• Expertise in materials including cardboard, plastics, and fabrics for retail and direct‑to‑consumer packaging.
• Experience presenting packaging concepts to retail customers.
• Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Retail packaging production knowledge with operational awareness of end‑to‑end processes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple briefs and categories in a fast‑paced environment.
• UK driving licence.
• Degree in product, surface, or graphic design.
• Knowledge of packaging legislation, standards, and certifications.
• Experience of working in flowers, horticulture, or FMCG industries.
• Trusted: Dependable, accurate, and consistent in delivery.
• Passionate: Enthusiastic about design, innovation, and packaging excellence.
• Dynamic: Proactive in problem‑solving and adapting to change.
• Collaborative: Builds strong working relationships internally and externally.
• Detail‑Oriented: Maintains high accuracy and attention to detail in specifications and project delivery.