R&D Packaging Manager

Costa Limited; Loudwater; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading coffee brand in Loudwater is seeking a Packaging Innovation Lead to elevate food and beverage experiences. You'll manage packaging development, ensuring compliance with safety and sustainability standards, while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver engaging packaging solutions. Ideal candidates will have strong knowledge of packaging materials and a track record in FMCG packaging development.

Benefits

Share Investment Plan

Annual discretionary bonus

Smart pension scheme

Financial Support Fund

50% discount in Costa stores

Private medical cover

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of packaging regulations and materials, ideally experience with paper cups, plastics, and multilayer pouches.
• Proven experience in FMCG packaging development from concept to launch.
• Strong technical skills including design for manufacture and quality management.
• Highly adaptable with the ability to manage complexity and work independently.
• Excellent communication skills to influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging innovation and ensure timely delivery of products.
• Manage packaging testing protocols and maintain global consistency.
• Scout and implement materials enhancing consumer experience.
• Develop packaging processes for continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with teams and stakeholders to deliver quality packaging.

Skills

Packaging materials knowledge

End-to-end packaging development

Technical and process skills

Adaptability and results-driven

Excellent communication

Job description

Costa is on an exciting journey to become Bigger & Better, and we're expanding our packaging team with a newly created role designed to elevate our food and beverage experiences across every platform and market. This permanent position will lead consumer‑centric innovation and sustainable material development while strengthening the processes and testing protocols that ensure Costa's global packaging quality and brand consistency. If you're passionate about materials, operational excellence and creating packaging that delights consumers and drives growth, this is your opportunity. We value curiosity, inclusivity, and a problem‑solving mindset. If you thrive in a fast‑paced, global environment and are excited to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply. With inspiring experiences, development programmes, and our apprenticeship scheme, your career can grow far beyond the day‑to‑day.

What you'll do

• Lead packaging innovation and project delivery across Retail, Express, and Away‑From‑Home platforms, ensuring new and renovated products are delivered on time, on budget, and drive brand growth.
• Manage the Packaging Laboratory and testing protocols, maintaining global consistency, ensuring all packaging meets food safety, regulatory, and sustainability standards.
• Scout and implement materials and technologies, exploring opportunities to enhance consumer experience, support Costa's sustainability agenda, and drive margin improvement.
• Develop and optimise packaging processes, ensuring continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and alignment with global specifications and best practices.
• Collaborate across teams and stakeholders, including suppliers, internal functions, and external partners, to deliver packaging that excites consumers, supports business growth, and minimises quality risks.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of packaging materials and regulations, including food contact and recycled plastics, with ideally experience across paper cups, plastics, multilayer pouches, and other packaging formats.
• Proven experience in end‑to‑end packaging development, from concept to launch, with a track record in FMCG or a similar fast‑paced environment, R&D, sustainability initiatives, and specification approval.
• Strong technical and process skills, including design for manufacture, testing/validation, component tooling, print processes, and familiarity with quality management systems.
• Highly adaptable, results‑driven, and curious, with the ability to work independently, manage complexity, support project teams, and continuously seek better solutions that improve consumer experiences.
• Excellent communication and planning abilities, able to structure work effectively, influence stakeholders, and present ideas clearly both verbally and in writing.

About us

At Costa Coffee, we're on a mission to reimagine coffee experiences across the globe. From bustling cities to local communities, we're creating meaningful coffee moments, powered by innovation and driven by purpose. As a proud part of the Coca‑Cola system and working hand in hand with our pioneering partners, we're in over 50 countries and counting. Whether it's served in‑store, from a machine, at home, or on the go, every cup is thoughtfully crafted by our passionate teams who put heart into every moment. Our teams truly make a difference. Whether it's pioneering new tech for the perfect pour, launching award‑winning campaigns, developing exciting new menu items, or supporting our people to grow – together, we stir up success.

Benefits

• Own a piece of Costa's success by becoming a share owner in Coca‑Cola with our Share Investment Plan (SIP).
• An annual discretionary bonus scheme, based on business results and individual contribution.
• A smart pension that saves you money on tax and national insurance, and matches your contributions up to 10%.
• The Costa Financial Support Fund, supporting team members who find themselves in unexpected financial pressure.
• 50% discount in all Costa‑owned stores and 25% off in other participating stores.
• Private medical cover thanks to our Private Healthcare scheme.
• And that's not all. Explore even more of our perks here: https://bit.ly/costaperks.

Location & Working Arrangements

Hybrid – Loudwater. You are required to attend our Loudwater office a minimum of 3 times a week. For any reasonable adjustments and general queries, please get in touch with [e-mail].

We believe in living life with heart – and that starts with our people. By showing up as our authentic selves, we create a culture where everyone belongs. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are committed to building an equitable and inclusive environment – one that embraces the unique blend of experiences, identities, and perspectives each person brings. Grounded in our core values – Passion for Progress, Win with Warmth, Courage to Challenge, and Trusted Team Players – we strive to make a meaningful impact in everything we do. From empowering communities through the Costa Foundation to supporting local initiatives, we're committed to changing lives in coffee‑growing regions and right here at home.