Packaging & Filling Engineering Design Manager

Flora Food Group; Wageningen; On-site; EUR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Flora Food Group is seeking a senior packaging engineering leader to define and deploy the global strategy for packaging equipment, filling and packing technologies. You will set technical standards, lead the packaging technology roadmap, and drive sustainability across Flora’s operations worldwide.

You’ll collaborate with R&D Packaging, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Procurement and external partners, manage Capex projects above €5 million, and translate sustainability requirements into practical

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Process, Mechatronics, or Packaging Engineering (Master's preferred).
• 10+ years in packaging engineering, filling systems, or packaging tech in FMCG/Food & Beverage/Dairy.
• Experience leading mid- to large-capex projects above €5 million.
• Strong cross-functional and global stakeholder management; fluent in English; additional languages a plus.
• Willingness to travel regularly to support suppliers and project execution.

Responsibilities

• Define and deploy the global strategy for packaging equipment, filling systems, and packaging lines.
• Lead URS development, design standards, and packaging technology roadmap.
• Oversee selected Capex projects from feasibility to start-up; support manufacturing sites as needed.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Packaging engineering

FMCG packaging

GMP knowledge

Sustainability focus

English fluent

Education

Bachelor in Mechanical

Master's preferred

Job description

Location: Poland (Katowice), Netherlands (Wageningen), Germany (Kleve, Pratau) On-site

About The Role

This role is responsible for defining, developing, and deploying the global strategy for packaging equipment design, filling & packing technologies, and packaging innovation across Flora Food Group. As a senior technical leader within the Global Engineering team, you will shape technical standards, drive innovation, and lead the deployment of new packaging solutions across the business.

The role combines engineering design leadership, technology strategy, innovation management, and Capex project oversight. You will ensure that packaging and filling platforms are fit for future requirements in efficiency, sustainability, product flexibility, and performance. Working closely with R&D Packaging, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Procurement, and external technology partners, you will help define and deliver the packaging technology roadmap and keep Flora Food Group at the forefront of packaging innovation.

In addition to setting global standards for packaging equipment, filling systems, and complete packing lines, you will lead the development of URS documents, scope definitions, and design standards. You will translate innovation and sustainability requirements into practical engineering specifications and ensure consistency, safety, quality, and performance across global operations.

You will also play a key role in technology scouting and innovation deployment, identifying and evaluating new automation, digital, and equipment solutions. A strong focus will be placed on sustainability, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, decarbonisation, and circularity in packaging systems.

The role includes leadership of selected Capex projects, from early feasibility and concept design through to execution, procurement support, FAT, commissioning, and start-up. You will also support manufacturing sites with troubleshooting, capacity improvements, OEE optimisation, and debottlenecking where packaging expertise is required.

What’s Required for Success

You are a qualified engineer with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Process, Mechatronics, or Packaging Engineering, with a Master’s degree considered an advantage. You bring strong experience in packaging engineering, filling systems, or packaging technology within FMCG, Food & Beverage, or Dairy environments.

You have deep technical expertise in packaging equipment, materials, GMP, food safety, and automation, and you are experienced in developing URS documents, technical standards, and equipment specifications. You also understand sustainability and ESG requirements and how they translate into equipment and system design.

You have at least 10 years of experience in relevant engineering roles, including a strong track record in managing mid- to large-scale Capex projects above €5 million. You are experienced in working with suppliers, OEMs, and cross-functional teams, and you have delivered innovation or technology deployment projects in complex, international environments.

You are confident working across multiple stakeholders and functions, with strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills. You are comfortable working independently while aligning global teams, and you are fluent in English, with additional European languages seen as a plus. You are also willing to travel regularly to support suppliers, FATs, and project execution.

Flora Food Group is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workplace, we understand that you might not meet all the requirements stated in the description, but we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the right candidate for this role or other roles.

Flora Food Group is an employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and equal opportunities for all. We recruit based only on values, qualifications, performance, skills, behaviours, experience, and knowledge. We ensure job advertisements are free from unintentional bias.

No personal characteristics should be a barrier to joining Flora Food Group. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other personal characteristics.