Packaging Manager

Technical Recruitment Solutions Ltd.; Wellington; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Whittaker’s, New Zealand’s leading chocolate manufacturer, seeks a Packaging Manager to direct packaging strategy and innovation. You’ll lead a Packaging Technologist and work with cross-functional teams from concept through production to ensure packs protect the chocolate and stand out on the shelf.

You will drive packaging specifications, compliance, waste reduction, supplier management and ongoing improvements in quality, sustainability and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in packaging development, technology or management.
• Track record leading packaging projects from concept to launch.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, systems and processes.
• Improvements in quality, performance, sustainability or cost.
• Experience leading and developing people across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging strategy, roadmaps and innovation for new products.
• Maintain specifications and technical documentation for compliance.
• Oversee packaging change management, risk assessment and artwork governance.
• Partner with Operations & Engineering to reduce waste and improve packaging efficiency.
• Build supplier relationships and manage qualification and performance.
• Coach and develop a Packaging Technologist and lead on H&S and food safety.

Skills

Packaging development

Packaging technology

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Materials knowledge

Quality improvement

People leadership

Education

Packaging Technology or related degree

Job description

About The Company: Whittaker’s is New Zealand’s biggest chocolate manufacturer and has won New Zealand’s ‘Most Trusted Brand’ 15 times in a row. They live by the belief that ‘best is always better’, insisting on using only the finest ingredients, the best methods, most precise machinery, and the best people to keep making good honest chocolate.

About The Role: Great chocolate deserves great packaging. As Packaging Manager, you’ll set the direction for Whittaker’s packaging. You’ll ensure that every pack protects the chocolate, runs smoothly on the line and stands out on the shelf.

It’s a role for someone who enjoys both the hands-on, technical detail and the bigger picture. You’ll lead and develop a Packaging Technologist and work alongside cross-functional teams to take projects from first idea through to the production line.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Leadership of packaging strategy, roadmaps and innovation, including packaging for new products, upgrades and changes.
• Maintenance of specifications and technical documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory, customer and sustainability requirements.
• Oversight of packaging change management, approvals, risk assessment and artwork governance.
• Partnering with Operations & Engineering to reduce waste and improve packaging efficiency, quality and reliability.
• Building supplier relationships, supporting selection, qualification and managing performance.
• Coaching and developing a Packaging Technologist and leading on H&S, food safety and quality.

You, The Candidate: You’re a practical, approachable leader who builds strong relationships and stays steady when priorities compete. You’ll bring a solid technical grounding in packaging, built in FMCG or food manufacturing, along with a good feel for how materials and packaging systems behave on the line.

The ideal candidate will also bring:

• Proven experience in packaging development, packaging technology or packaging management.
• A track record leading packaging projects from concept to commercial implementation.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, systems and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated improvements in quality, performance, sustainability, cost or efficiency.
• Experience leading and developing people, and working across cross-functional teams.
• A qualification in Packaging Technology, Food Technology, Engineering, Materials Science or a related field.

Please note: To be eligible for this role, you must hold current working rights in NZ. You must also be willing to undertake and return a satisfactory Ministry of Justice Criminal History check and undergo a pre-employment medical including a Drug & Alcohol Screening.