Packaging Technologist

Zest; Pulborough; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in the United Kingdom is looking for an experienced Packaging Technologist to join their collaborative Product Development team. In this role, you will shape and deliver innovative packaging solutions, driving sustainability initiatives and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. Candidates should have a strong FMCG packaging background with project leadership experience. This position offers genuine career progression opportunities into management, making it ideal for those ready to step up their career.

Qualifications

• Proven background in an FMCG packaging technical role.
• Broad knowledge of packaging materials and machinery interfaces.
• Strong understanding of print processes and artwork management.
• Experience leading projects and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to build clear, compelling business cases.
• Highly organised, resilient and comfortable managing multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver packaging solutions across the business.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with various teams.
• Focus on sustainability initiatives and compliance.

Skills

Proven background in FMCG packaging

Knowledge of packaging materials

Understanding of print processes

Experience leading projects

Commercial awareness

Highly organised

Job description

Overview

A great opportunity has arisen within a well-invested, values-led chilled food manufacturer for an experienced Packaging Technologist who is ready to take the next step in their career. This role sits within a highly collaborative Product Development function and offers genuine scope to progress into a Packaging Manager-level position, supporting the delivery of a long-term growth strategy across existing and emerging chilled categories.

You'll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering packaging solutions across the business from optimising existing formats to developing innovative, consumer-winning concepts for new and expanding ranges. Working cross-functionally with NPD, Marketing, Procurement, Engineering, Technical and Sustainability teams, you'll have real ownership and visibility across the end-to-end packaging lifecycle. Sustainability is central to this role, with a strong focus on material reduction, recyclability, and compliance with evolving legislation (including EPR and Plastic Tax).

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver packaging solutions across the business from optimisation of current formats to development of innovative concepts for new and expanding ranges.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with NPD, Marketing, Procurement, Engineering, Technical and Sustainability teams to ensure end-to-end packaging lifecycle ownership and visibility.

• Focus on sustainability initiatives, including material reduction, recyclability improvements, and compliance with evolving legislation.

Qualifications

• Essential experience: Proven background in an FMCG packaging technical role
• Broad knowledge of packaging materials and machinery interfaces
• Strong understanding of print processes and artwork management
• Experience leading projects and influencing cross-functional stakeholders
• Commercial awareness with the ability to build clear, compelling business cases
• Highly organised, resilient and comfortable managing multiple priorities

Additional Information

If you're a Packaging Technologist ready to step up, or someone who wants a role that will prepare you for leadership in the near future, this is an opportunity worth exploring.

Please note: Sponsorship is unfortunately not available for this position.

How to Apply

If you would like to arrange a confidential chat to discuss this role in more detail then please call Danielle Bailey on (phone number removed) or (url removed).

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