Packaging Development Manager

pladis Global; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global biscuits and confectionery business is seeking a passionate Packaging Development Manager in Liverpool. The ideal candidate will drive innovation in packaging solutions and work collaboratively across teams to meet growth targets. This role offers the opportunity to influence quality and innovation within a dynamic market.

Benefits

Annual Incentive Plan

Private medical Insurance

Life Assurance Cover

Volunteering Day per year

Cycle to work scheme

Discount and Cashback Scheme

Access to training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in leading multi-site packaging projects.
• Knowledge of packaging specifications and compliance.
• Ability to manage quality testing for new packaging formats.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver Category growth plan focused on packaging.
• Own & deliver quality packaging specifications.
• Collaborate with marketing and operations teams.

Skills

Innovation

Collaboration

Project Management

Agility

Resilience

Education

Degree in Packaging or related field

Job description

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Packaging Development Manager, Liverpool

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Client:

pladis Global

Location:

Liverpool, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

4364a4fca6e2

Job Views:

22

Posted:

18.06.2025

Expiry Date:

02.08.2025

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Job Description:

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to bepurpose-led,resilientandpositiveto succeed here because we expect pace andagility, we insist oncollaborationand demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

Click “Apply” to get started.

This role is site based and flexible between our Aintree / Liverpool site.

What will this role achieve?

Innovation through product and packaging development, continuous value improvement and consumer perceived Quality superiority vs. competition are critical and key to delivering the business targets.

The Packaging Development Manager role is key in developing and delivering the Category growth plan for pladis UK & Europe region with a specific focus on incremental growth through Packaging. This can be in the form of asset driven innovation and/ or new technology. Experience in leading multi-site Packaging projects is essential and Consumer Science and Shopper related Packaging Insights is desirable.

What will be your key deliverables?

Support the building, maintenance of and delivery of an aligned Packaging program.

Own & deliver quality Packaging Specifications

Create partnerships, relationships – at sites as appropriate

Bring your experience.

• The job holder will be required to develop Innovation in packaging and potential value improvement programmes.
• Experience in providing direction to other functions in respect to availability and cost of solutions and options to develop further:
• Marketing – key partners in driving the solutions and opportunities for the overall business plans
• Operations – packaging functional performance
• Supply Chain/Engineering – material/machine interface performance and proposals for investment
• Logistics, distribution and retail – product protection and optimisation
• Procurement – strategic sourcing, supplier selection and packaging technical functional approval

Packaging

• Delivery of the agreed Packaging programme, working closely with Marketing, Product Development and Operations to introduce new/improved packaging into production and to drive continuous improvement in costs of existing packaging operations.
• Owner of packaging specifications and implementation processes.
• Provide support to sites to ensure delivery of solutions working with the other Packaging team members and build on their combined expertise in the creation of new Packaging solutions, as required.
• Provide project management documentation and communication for packaging including time-plans and risk assessments.
• Provide packaging expertise to support technical aspects of the Procurement strategic packaging agenda and CBR (cost base released) & VIN (value improvement network), linking to relevant members of the Strategic Material Teams.
• Create packaging specifications in line with project requirements; ensuring legislative and regulatory compliance, fitness for purpose including functional performance related attributes and compliance aspects. Packaging specifications input to relevant pladis packaging database.
• Lead the creation of other relevant packaging documentation cutter guides, pallet patterns, component drawings, general specifications, technical standards, travel tests and results, line trial protocols and reports.
• Ensure all quality testing is carried out for new packaging formats, shelf-life, taint and odour, travel tests.
• Conduct and report on packaging trials at pladis sites, co-makers/packers and machinery suppliers.
• Attend relevant Factory Development Meetings and ensure clear communication of issues and opportunities.
• Develop success criteria and trial protocol improvements with factories for new machinery and materials including acceptance testing for major manufacturing initiatives.
• Hold regular meetings with suppliers and other external groups to ensure packaging knowledge is continually updated.
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT
• Captures all project documentation relevant to the site (charters, time-plans, reports etc.)
• Communicates to the sites and collaborators in all relevant functions all key information relating to their current projects and initiatives, highlighting any issues.
• Ensures that the correct project management process, stage gate, is followed for all projects.

What will the interview process be?

• st stage interview – minutes competency-based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
• nd stage interview – minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.

What does pladis offer you?

• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)– this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan
• Private medical Insurance
• Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• days + bank holidays
• Volunteering Day per year
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Discount and Cashback Scheme – make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial Wellbeing Support
• Access to great training and development opportunities

Our Values

Purpose led – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite

Agile – We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.

Positive – We’re highly motivated optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better

Resilient - We’re persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward

Collaborative – We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together.

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.