R&D Packaging Manager

Affinity Human Venture LLP; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SunRice in Singapore is seeking a Packaging Manager to drive packaging innovation and governance across APAC. You will lead NPD packaging design, oversee commissioning and scale-up of packaging formats, and push toward sustainability targets while aligning with brand and operations.

The role requires strong project management, technical packaging knowledge, and collaboration with R&D, Quality, and Operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Engineering, Material Science or related field.
• 6+ years of packaging experience in FMCG or Food Manufacturing.
• Mastery in package materials/technology, sustainability, and product quality attributes.
• Technical mastery in statistics and polymer science is preferred.
• Proven leadership of complex cross-functional packaging projects.
• Experience in developing working processes and SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Define packaging design for NPD projects and manage development from concept to launch.
• Provide technical leadership in packaging commissioning and scale-up for capital projects.
• Drive sustainability glidepath and manage MPR reporting.
• Lead packaging value engineering and support quality issue investigations with Quality/Operations.
• Develop packaging capabilities and manage supplier relationships to drive innovation.

Skills

Packaging design

Project management

Sustainability

Quality & compliance

NPD process understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging/Engineering/Material Science

Tools

SAP

CAPE/TOPS

Specification systems

Job description

Microsoft Word - RD Packaging Manager _ SunRice_SG_July26

Position Description

Position Title: Packaging Manager

Location: Singapore

Function: Market Development

Travel Requirement (approx.): Domestic: 0% International: 25%

Employment Status: Full Time

Reports to: Senior Packaging Manager

Relationships and Authority

Budget/Revenue Responsibility: $N/a

Direct Reports: 0

Indirect Reports: 0

Global Responsibility: APAC

Key Relationships

Internal: R&D, Artwork Planner, Plants, Planning, Marketing, Quality, Operations

External Vendors/suppliers: (none listed)

Role Purpose

The Packaging Manager role at SunRice focuses on leading packaging innovation, technical governance, and sustainability across products, combining strategic leadership with technical expertise to ensure packaging solutions meet quality, cost, and operational standards.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Lead packaging innovation and NPD: Responsible for defining packaging design for the NPD projects and managing packaging development from concept to launch, driving innovation in materials and formats aligned with brand and operational needs, and ensuring projects meet timelines, budgets, and specifications.
• Oversee packaging commissioning and support packing capital project: Inputs to the packaging scope in the capital projects, and provides technical leadership in the packaging commissioning, equipment trials, and scale-up, ensuring readiness and quality targets are met.
• Drive sustainability glidepath and lead MPR reporting: Leads the development of the sustainable packages against sustainability guidelines, manages MPR reporting and action steps development.
• Conduct packaging value engineering programs and supports the package quality troubleshooting: Leads the aligned packaging value engineering program and support the investigation and resolution of packaging-related quality issues in partnership with Quality and Operations.
• Build capability and manage suppliers: Develops packaging technical skills across teams, builds the Centre of Excellence in packaging, acts as a subject matter expert, and manages supplier relationships to foster innovation and mitigate supply risks.

Competencies

Behavioural Competencies (4-5 personal skills that are critical for success)

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Consumer-focused mindset
• Decisive – taking calculated risks and making decisions
• High attention to detail and intellectual curiosity
• Able to manage multiple priorities and competing stakeholders
• Resilient in dealing with ambiguities and changes

Technical Capabilities (4-5 technical skills including systems / technology that are critical for success)

• Expertise in packaging design and polymer/material science
• Understanding of the NPD process in FMCG or Food business is preferred.
• Understanding of the holistic package design & development process.
• Proven project management skills
• Mastery in APCO Sustainable Package Design Guidelines and PREP assessment
• Experience in SAP and specification systems
• Expertise in CAPE/TOPS

Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications (essential and desirable)

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Engineering, Material Science or related fields

• 6+ years of packaging experience in an FMCG or Food Manufacturing Business.
• Mastery in package materials/technology, food packaging, sustainability, product quality attributes, process capability, etc.
• Technical mastery in Statistics and Polymer Science is preferred
• Proven leadership of complex, cross‑functional packaging projects.
• Experience in the development of working processes, SOP, etc.

Application

For more details, please reach out to Sarka L. Cinkova via [e-mail] or [phone]