Packaging Development Manager (FTC)

Greencore; Northampton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Greencore, a leading manufacturer of convenience food in the UK, is offering an exciting opportunity for a Packaging Development Manager at their Northampton site. This role involves leading packaging development activities, managing projects, and ensuring alignment with customer requirements. Candidates should possess extensive experience in food packaging and bring creativity, technical expertise, and strong communication skills to the role. Competitive salary and benefits are offered to help shape the future of food packaging.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits

Holidays and pension up to 8% matched

Company share save scheme

Greencore Qualifications for professional growth

Exclusive employee discount platform

Access to Wellbeing Centre

Qualifications

• At least two years' experience in the food packaging industry.
• Strong knowledge in at least one food packaging substrate.
• Good working knowledge of sustainability legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging development activity and provide fit for purpose packaging solutions.
• Manage customer/category development projects to meet critical paths.
• Introduce and refine new packaging concepts in line with customer requirements.

Skills

Problem-solving mindset

Strong communication skills

Creative flair

Tools

Illustrator

Adobe Suite

CAD

Job description

Why Greencore?
We're a leading manufacturer of convenience food in the UK and our purpose is to make everyday taste better.
We're a vibrant, fast-paced leading food manufacturer. Employing 13,300 colleagues across 16 manufacturing units and 17 distribution depots across the UK. We supply all the UK's food retailers with everything from Sandwiches, soups and sushi to cooking sauces, pickles and ready meals, and in FY24, we generated revenues of 1.8bn.
Our vast direct-to-store (DTS) distribution network, comprising of 17 depots nationwide, enables us to make over 10,500 daily deliveries of our own chilled and frozen produce and that of third parties.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Packaging Development Manager to join us on a 12-month FTC based at our Northampton site!
What You'll Be Doing:
In this role, you will lead packaging development activity, in accordance with customer and corporate social responsibility policies, acting as the packaging expert within the divisional product development function, to provide fit for purpose packaging solutions
Responsible for the project management of the customer /category development to meet the critical path
Provide the packaging expertise at feasibility meetings, ensuring the suitability of packaging for product protection, manufacturing viability, and delivering within cost parameters
Input packaging insight and knowledge within the category team to ensure packaging development is aligned with customer requirements
Delivery of first to market packaging concepts to ensure we remain the preferred supplier of choice
Introduce and refine new packaging concepts through the product development process ensuring that technical, manufacturing and quality standards are met
What We're Looking For:
We are looking for a packaging professional who can hit the ground running and bring fresh ideas to the table. The ideal candidate will have:

• At least two years' experience in the food packaging industry.
• Creative flair - Confident in the use of Illustrator, Adobe Suite, and CAD.
• Technical expertise - Strong knowledge in at least one food packaging substrate, such as carton board, flexible films, or thermoform.
• Problem-solving mindset - Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, think on your feet, and handle multiple projects at once.
• Strong communication and presentation skills - Confidently present ideas and constructional concepts to both internal teams and customers.
• Hands-on approach - Capable of creating physical mock-ups and briefing suppliers with confidence.
• Sustainability - a good working knowledge of legislation and best practice.

What's in It for You?

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Holidays and pension up to 8% matched
• Company share save scheme
• Greencore Qualifications to invest in your professional growth
• Exclusive employee discount platform
• Access to our Wellbeing Centre, supporting your mental and physical health

At Greencore, we put our people at the heart of everything we do. We celebrate individuality and diversity, creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Ready to make a difference? Join us, grow with Greencore, and help us shape the future of food packaging.