Packaging Technician

gap personnel; South Tawton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

gap personnel is seeking a Packaging Technologist to own packaging development for branded and retailer own-label products, driving sustainability, cost and performance improvements.

You will manage packaging data, specifications, supplier relationships, and coordinate artwork approvals, supporting lifecycle from concept to launch.

This role offers exposure across technical, procurement, production and NPD teams within a growing food manufacturer.

Qualifications

• Previous experience within packaging, technical or food manufacturing.
• A good understanding of packaging materials and specifications.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage several projects and changing priorities.
• Confident communication across multiple departments.
• Good problem-solving skills and a proactive approach.
• Competent Microsoft Office and general IT skills.
• Collaborative and continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Manage packaging throughout the complete product lifecycle.
• Develop, review and maintain accurate packaging specifications.
• Lead packaging development for new products, packaging changes and improvement projects.
• Coordinate artwork approvals and ensure First Time Production dates are achieved.
• Producing and maintaining palletisation data and transport configurations.
• Completing Valpak and Extended Producer Responsibility reporting.
• Ensuring packaging complies with relevant legislation, customer requirements and internal standards.
• Coordinating transit testing to confirm packaging suitability throughout the supply chain.
• Supporting shelf-life testing for new products and packaging materials.
• Working with production and engineering teams to complete factory packaging trials.
• Maintaining the approved packaging supplier list and approval process.
• Liaising with printers and submitting approved cutter guides for artwork.
• Attending pre-production meetings with printers and retail customers.
• Completing packaging information within final customer product specifications.
• Identifying opportunities to improve quality, sustainability, efficiency and cost.

Skills

Organisational skills

Project management

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem solving

MS Office

IT skills

Collaboration

Continuous improvement

Education

Packaging/food science qualification

Tools

Valpak

Job description

Packaging Technologist

Are you an experienced Packaging Technologist looking to take ownership of packaging development within a successful and growing food manufacturing business?

We are recruiting for an organised and commercially aware Packaging Technologist to manage and develop packaging across both branded and retailer own-label products. This is a varied role offering the opportunity to influence packaging performance, sustainability, operational efficiency and cost.

You will become the technical owner of all packaging data, specifications and development projects, working closely with suppliers, customers and internal teams to deliver successful product launches and continuous improvements.

The role

As Packaging Technologist, your responsibilities will include:

• Managing packaging throughout the complete product lifecycle.
• Developing, reviewing and maintaining accurate packaging specifications.
• Maintaining master product data and ensuring all packaging information remains current.
• Leading packaging development for new products, packaging changes and improvement projects.
• Selecting and evaluating packaging materials based on product suitability, sustainability, functionality and cost.
• Obtaining technical information and specifications from packaging suppliers.
• Developing relationships with new and existing suppliers to identify innovative packaging solutions.
• Coordinating artwork approvals and ensuring First Time Production dates are achieved.
• Producing and maintaining palletisation data and transport configurations.
• Completing Valpak and Extended Producer Responsibility reporting.
• Ensuring packaging complies with relevant legislation, customer requirements and internal standards.
• Coordinating transit testing to confirm packaging suitability throughout the supply chain.
• Supporting shelf-life testing for new products and packaging materials.
• Working with production and engineering teams to complete factory packaging trials.
• Maintaining the approved packaging supplier list and approval process.
• Liaising with printers and submitting approved cutter guides for artwork.
• Attending pre-production meetings with printers and retail customers.
• Completing packaging information within final customer product specifications.
• Identifying opportunities to improve quality, sustainability, efficiency and cost.

About you

To be considered for this opportunity, you should have:

• Previous experience within packaging, technical or food manufacturing.
• A good understanding of packaging materials and specifications.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• The ability to manage several projects and changing priorities.
• Confident communication skills and the ability to work across multiple departments.
• Good problem-solving skills and a proactive approach.
• Competent Microsoft Office and general IT skills.
• A collaborative and continuous improvement mindset.

Desirable experience

The following would be advantageous but is not essential:

• A qualification in packaging, food science or a related subject.
• Experience working with retailer own-label products.
• Knowledge of Valpak or EPR reporting.
• An understanding of packaging legislation and sustainability requirements.
• Experience coordinating artwork approvals, factory trials or transit testing.

Why apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join an established food manufacturer in a role where you can take genuine ownership of packaging. You will work across technical, procurement, production, engineering, NPD, sales and marketing, giving you excellent exposure across the wider business.

If you are methodical, proactive and passionate about developing packaging solutions that balance product quality, sustainability, customer appeal and cost, we would love to hear from you.