Technical Project Manager (Bundling and Collation) Innovation Platform

DS Smith; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading packaging solutions company based in the UK is seeking a Technical Project Manager for product innovation. You will lead the implementation of innovative products, ensuring effective collaboration with customers, partners, and project teams. The ideal candidate should have a proven record in technical project management, strong communication skills, and be proficient in managing multiple projects concurrently. This position plays a vital role in shaping product developments that meet future requirements. The applications closing date is 12th December 2025.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in technical project management in an innovation/R&D context.
• Strong ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with cross-functional teams.
• Fluent in English with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the innovation product implementation team for projects.
• Manage project process in accordance with the customer implementation timeline.
• Act as the main point of contact in interaction with customers, partners & suppliers.

Skills

Technical project management

Project planning

Risk management

Stakeholder alignment

Agile methodologies

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Networking skills

Job description

Location : UK / Belgium

Subject to Consultation

About the role

The role will be responsible for ensuring smooth innovation product development and implementation with strategic (pilot) customers in close collaboration with partners. This role is the key interactor with project manager counterparts on customer and partner / supplier side. You will ensure seamless collaboration within the innovation platform and local site project teams whilst being closely connected to the customer project teams. You will also enable world class interaction with customers and partners, using a process driven, well-coordinated and structured approach.

Through close customer interaction, you will contribute to providing feedback and input on new and evolving customer requirements to fuel the future product development pipeline.

This role requires a solid technical product knowledge base to ensure professional overall project management and coordination.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the innovation product implementation team for projects, including design, operations / mechanisation and project specific supporting functions such as costing, sourcing & SME's
• Manage project process in accordance with the customer implementation timeline
• Act as the main point of contact in interaction with customers, partners & suppliers project managers, act as a project manager with credible technical knowledge (supported by SME's in the team)
• Drive the internal interaction with sub-regional & local site project stakeholders
• Identify, flag and resolve project blockers with support of relevant stakeholders
• Organise & coordinate preparation & execution of trials, testing & validation workflows
• Lead documentation of overall process, product specifications & requirements for further scale-up of new products
• Support lead generation and further expansion of product range implementation within strategic customer base
• Interact closely with platform Head of Innovation on project progress and customer feedback as input for strategic product portfolio extensions
• Interact with product manager to provide product specifications, requirements & input for commercialisation to support scale-up implementation
• Stay close to changes in PPWR and other environmental regulations affecting packaging requirements and customer decisions for the future
• Coordinate carbon emission and related tax impact calculations as input for value selling of the product range.

About You

• Proven experience in technical project management in an Innovation / R&D context
• Proficient in (technical) project planning, risk management and stakeholder alignment
• Experience with agile, stage-gate or hybrid project management methodologies
• Strong ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with cross-functional teams, across different development stages
• Proven track record of on-time, on-budget project delivery
• Problem solver, result focused and passionate about innovation
• Strong written and spoken communication skills, fluent English
• Passionate motivator, good interpersonal and networking skills

APPLICATIONS CLOSING DATE : 12th DECEMBER 2025