Senior Packaging Technologist

Manpower UK Ltd; Liverpool City Region; On-site; GBP 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an interim Senior Packaging Technologist for a global FMCG client. This role, based in Port Sunlight, focuses on leading packaging innovations for well-known brands like Dove and Persil. The ideal candidate has a degree in science or engineering, strong project management skills, and over 3 years of experience in packaging development. Competitive compensation of up to £51,291 per annum is offered for this full-time position.

Benefits

Free onsite parking

Staff shop with discounted products

State-of-the-art laboratory facilities

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3+ years experience in a packaging development role.
• Proven track record of delivery in packaging engineering.
• Experience leading supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the packaging workstream for brand innovations.
• Develop new packaging meeting various requirements.
• Lead packaging testing activities and build specifications.

Skills

Project management skills

Experience with FMCG packaging development

Strong communication skills

Ability to scope and select technologies

Passion for technical rigor

Education

Degree in science or engineering

Tools

Design engineering (2D and 3D)

Cost engineering systems

Job description

We are currently seeking an interim Senior Packaging Technologist to work with our global FMCG client Unilever, renowned for brands such as Dove, Sure, Persil, and Simple. This role offers an opportunity to be part of their fast-paced FMCG environment.

The position is based at our client's scientific Research & Development facility in Port Sunlight Village, Wirral, easily accessible by train and car. This is a full-time temporary role for 12 months (maternity cover), requiring 37.50 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The compensation is competitive, up to £51,291 per annum, depending on experience.

Context and Main Purpose of the Job:

Beauty and Wellbeing (B&W) is one of Unilever's fastest-growing business groups, responsible for brands like Dove, Sunsilk, Tresemme, and Vaseline.

The main purpose of this role is to lead the packaging workstream for global innovations within Unilever's Beauty and Wellbeing Business Group. The role involves ensuring all packaging elements are delivered to meet brand needs while aligning with Unilever's sustainability goals.

The candidate will work closely with functions such as formulation, marketing, supply chain, procurement, business units, and external suppliers to develop desirable, consumer-preferred, and customer-preferred packaging solutions for global rollout. Depending on experience and skills, the candidate may also support capability projects aimed at enhancing desire, sustainability, and efficiency of future portfolios.

The job holder must be an excellent communicator and an experienced packaging engineer with a proven track record of delivery.

Main Accountabilities:

1. Leading and delivering the packaging workstream for brand innovations.
2. Leading and delivering packaging capability projects to enhance desire, sustainability, and cost efficiency, depending on experience.
3. Contributing to parts of the B&W packaging strategy.
4. Developing new or identifying existing packaging that meets supply chain, formulation, consumer, brand, regional, and confidentiality requirements.
5. Leading packaging testing activities, interpreting results, making recommendations, and building robust specifications.

Education: Degree in science or engineering.

Established packaging technologist/engineer with FMCG experience and working knowledge of:

• Plastic polymers and conversion processes
• Multi-component assembly (caps and bottles)
• Design & design engineering (2D and 3D)
• Cost engineering systems (e.g., FMEA, moulding simulation, component optimization)
• Decoration and printing
• Transit packaging
• Consumer insight techniques
• Information management
• Experience working across countries and regions

Requirements:

• Strong project management skills
• Experience in scoping and selecting technologies for packaging innovations
• Experience with FMCG packaging development and scale-up in various materials and technologies
• Experience leading supplier relationships
• Passion for technical rigor and processes
• Ability to project ideas into the future for long-term business impact
• Minimum of 3+ years experience in a packaging development role

Port Sunlight Working Environment:

• Free onsite parking
• Staff shop with discounted products
• State-of-the-art laboratory and pilot plant facilities
• 5-minute walk to train station serving Liverpool & Chester
• 20-minute drive from Liverpool city centre / 30-minute drive from Chester
• Disabled parking
• Located in picturesque Port Sunlight village
• Various site clubs available (e.g., Book Club, Running, Choir, Pool, Genealogy)
• Multiple catering outlets and vending machines available throughout the site