Packaging Development Leader

Mars; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry-competitive salary

Company bonus

Access to Mars University for learning and development

Job summary

A leading global pet food company is seeking a Packaging Development Leader in West Yorkshire, England. This role involves providing technical leadership for packaging innovation in pet nutrition, fostering collaboration across R&D, Marketing, and more. The ideal candidate will possess strong packaging expertise and leadership skills, driving initiatives focused on consumer insights and sustainability. Join a purpose-driven company ranked among the UK's Top 10 workplaces, offering competitive compensation and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Strong record of delivering packaging solutions to market with team leadership experience.
• Ability to articulate business goals and ensure team alignment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to influence and inspire team performance.

Responsibilities

• Drive a Pet Parent Centric Innovation mindset across the packaging team.
• Build key external relationships for prototypes and innovations.
• Focus on sustainability while collaborating on future packaging formats.
• Drive sustainability goals such as Design for Circularity and plastic reduction programs.
• Support the Technology Hub R&D leadership in delivering innovative packaging formats.

Skills

Packaging Subject Matter Expertise

Leadership

Partnership building

Strategy

Team management

Education

University Degree in a technical discipline (Packaging/Design or Science/Engineering)

Job description

Mars West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

Packaging Development Leader

Job Description

The Packaging Development Leader role's purpose is to provide technical leadership of the packaging innovation programme for the Pet Nutrition Technology Hub team. To develop and implement a pet-parent centric packaging innovation pipeline delivering to the Central team agreed portfolios. Work in partnership with R&D in the regions and commercial to deliver optimised, harmonised and sustainable packaging specifications. Be the initiators and owners of global packaging specifications. Provide leadership & direction for the packaging team under their line management. Be a key and active member of the broader Packaging Leadership team and member of the Technology Hub R&D leadership team. The job requires excellent cross functional alignment across R&D, Marketing, Commercial, Legal, Regulatory, Quality and supply to deliver innovations into the market. The current and future programme development additionally requires a high level of external collaboration particularly with packaging suppliers, design/prototype agencies and co‑manufacturers. The job will also require a high level of collaboration at a functional level, being part of the broader packaging leadership team and have a responsibility to build packaging excellence and talent.

What are we looking for?

• University Degree in a technical discipline. Ideally Packaging/Design or Science/Engineering.
• Packaging Subject Matter Expertise: Has a strong record of delivering packaging solutions to market as part of FMCG and/or suppliers. Has team leadership experience.
• Strategy: The ability to articulate and translate business goals and requirements to the packaging team creating buy‑in and collaboration.
• Leadership: Excellent inter‑personal abilities, influencing without authority and inspiring and motivating others. Experience of people management, including engaging, motivating, and ensuring results delivery from their team.
• Partnership building: Has a strong track record of building partnerships internally and externally.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Drive a Pet Parent Centric Innovation mindset across the packaging team, working closely with key internal business partners in R&D, Marketing, CTI/CMI, Commercial, Legal, Regulatory, Quality and Supply to ensure innovative concepts are delivered to market.
• Build key external relationships to support and deliver prototypes and innovations with packaging suppliers, research agencies, external co‑manufacturers, packaging organisations, institutes and universities.
• External focus is key to bringing insights and trends into the packaging strategy and programme including consumer relevant packaging trends, material, and technology advances (including data‑led/AI) to inform and inspire.
• Work with the sustainability team ensuring the delivery of the Mars Sustainable in a Generation goals, including D4C (Design for Circularity) and plastic reduction programmes.
• Work with the packaging leadership team to support the development and implementation of enabling packaging strategies and capabilities.
• Collaborate with and support the Science & Technology teams to ensure the development and delivery of suitable future packaging formats to deliver the next generation of products.
• Build a strong and effective working relationship with legal, ensuring freedom to operate and taking opportunities to protect intellectual property.
• Have a thorough understanding of the external environment, legislation and issues that will impact packaging design into the future.
• Leadership and development of their packaging team. Drive a mindset of innovative and sustainable design underpinned with technical excellence.
• Member of the Technology Hub R&D leadership team driving excellence in innovation delivery, team engagement and strong cross‑functional collaboration.
• Accountable for supporting team engagement, developing both technical and softer skills. Work with the packaging leadership team to build a strong motivated and engaged talent pipeline for packaging.
• Responsible to partner with Central Packaging Capability Director to ensure packaging work is executed in line with packaging Functional Excellence and sustainability roadmap.
• Active member of Central Packaging community helping to advance functional excellence and business impact.

What Can You Expect from Mars?

• Consistently ranked among the UK’s Top 10 ‘Great Places to Work’ since 2016.
• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose‑driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in‑house Mars University.
• An industry‑competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.

Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long‑term health conditions, or neurodiversity during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

Industries

Food and Beverage Manufacturing