Packaging Development Manager

Paranova Print and Packaging; St. Neots; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced family policies

Cycle to work

Pension advice

Life cover

Free flu vaccination

Long service awards

Job summary

Paranova Print and Packaging seeks a Packaging Development Manager to steer strategic packaging initiatives across brands in the UK. You will partner with category leads, R&D and customers to translate insights into practical product developments.

This role emphasizes gate-based development, stakeholder alignment, and a hands-on approach to delivering innovative, sustainable packaging solutions. You will champion best practices, mentor teams, and contribute to the opening of new facilities and

Qualifications

• Experience in a technical packaging environment.
• Ability to engage stakeholders and translate ideas into action.
• Strong communication with diverse audiences and evidence-based decisions.
• Capacity to predict trends and align innovations.
• Collaborative approach across categories and R&D.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic packaging initiatives from concept to launch.
• Champion project management practices and gate system adherence.
• Engage stakeholders across the business for bespoke projects.
• Support Category Director to align future innovation and trend insights.
• Build relationships with customers to drive collaboration.

Skills

Packaging industry experience

Stakeholder engagement

Communication adaptability

Logical reasoning

Trend awareness

Job description

Job Description

Packaging Development Manager – Your Next Chapter Starts Here

Paranova Print and Packaging is committed to responsible sourcing, recyclability and delivering high-quality, innovative packaging solutions.

We manufacture sustainable packaging for the food, household and personal care markets across the UK and Europe. Our core range includes:

• Self-adhesive & linerless labels
• Cartons
• Lined Board
• Trays

The Impact You'll Make

Imagine walking into a place where your ideas don’t just get heard — they get built. Where your work shapes the way thousands (or millions) of people experience packaging. In this role, you’ll be the architect of moments that matter: the features that make someone’s day easier, the solutions that turn frustration into delight.

What You'll Do

• Project manage strategic & customer led category packaging initiatives prioritised by value driver from concept identification through development into launch
• Champion the chosen project management system as a tool to drive best practice in line with a gate system; tracking progress at each key milestone ensuring that any new product does not enter the market too soon
• Engage all relevant stakeholders from the business relative to each bespoke project
• Work with the Category Director and their team to support with customer requests and drive fresh thinking into the category as part of the trend and insight offer
• Understand customer key capability and generate strong working relationships that could drive step change off the back of a collaborative relationship
• Support the R&D Director and the Category Director to align future innovation projects by predicting trends and what the future could look like for your specific category

What You'll Bring

• A knack for turning complex challenges into simple, beautiful solutions
• Proven experience within a technical environment, in the packaging industry
• The ability to engage with stakeholders, to bring an idea to lifeRemaining positive in challenging situations
• You’ll be able to adapt your communication style to different audiences
• Able to apply logical reasoning to evaluate options, anticipate challenges and make well-informed decisions
• Able to understand customer trends and regulations
• Able to confidently challenge ideas and decisions when necessary, backed by evidence and reasoning

Why You'll Love It Here

• A culture that celebrates curiosity and creativity
• Ongoing investment, including the opening of a new factory in Godmanchester
• Training opportunities for the right candidate
• Benefits such as enhanced family friendly policies, cycle to work scheme, pension advice, life cover, free flu vaccination, long service awards