Senior Packaging Technologist

Suntory Holdings Limited; Singapore; On-site; SGD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Suntory Beverage and Food is seeking a Senior Packaging Technologist to lead packaging development from concept to commercialization across Asia. You will collaborate with R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, Quality, Regulatory, and Manufacturing to deliver innovative, compliant packaging solutions for multiple markets.

You'll champion sustainability, manage project plans, and drive cost-effective, safe packaging with a strong focus on regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 8–12+ years of packaging development experience in FMCG, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, or related industries.
• Strong expertise in packaging materials including plastics, paper, metal, and glass, and packaging manufacturing processes/equipment.
• Proven experience leading packaging development projects from concept to commercialization across multiple Asian markets.
• Strong knowledge of regional packaging regulations, food contact compliance, labeling, and environmental legislation.
• Experience driving packaging sustainability initiatives including recyclability and material optimization.
• Familiarity with packaging specification management systems, PLM tools, and digital packaging technologies.
• Knowledge of emerging packaging trends and technologies, including smart packaging and bio-based materials.
• Experience in regional/global cross-functional environments with R&D, supply chain, procurement, marketing, quality, and manufacturing.
• Understanding of Monozukuri or equivalent continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong project and stakeholder management, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, qualification, and commercialization of packaging solutions to support Asia launches.
• Drive packaging innovation through new materials, technologies, and formats.
• Manage packaging development plans, change requests, approvals, and documentation with site support.
• Provide technical leadership to resolve packaging quality and manufacturing challenges.
• Lead regional sustainability initiatives focused on recyclability and material optimization.
• Ensure packaging solutions comply with safety, labeling, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Regulatory Affairs and Quality teams to ensure safety and quality standards.
• Collaborate with R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, Quality, Regulatory, and Manufacturing teams.
• Provide technical leadership and share best practices with regional packaging teams across Asia.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure packaging designs consider operator safety and production performance.

Skills

Packaging development

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Sustainability initiatives

PLM software

Smart packaging

Monozukuri

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or related

Tools

PLM systems

Job description

Who We Are

Suntory is a global leader in consumer-packaged goods, renowned for producing and distributing a uniquely diverse portfolio of beverages, premium spirits, beer, wine, and wellness products throughout the world. With a history dating back to 1899, we are driven by a profound purpose: To inspire the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. At Suntory Beverage and Food, we boldly move forward together to realize the dreams of becoming a world-leading next-generation global beverage company, always together with Seikatsusha – you are an important part of this and here’s how your role helps us win.

About your role

Join us as our Senior Packaging Technologist and play a key role in shaping innovative, sustainable packaging solutions across Asia. You will lead packaging development from concept to commercialization, ensuring solutions meet consumer, business, regulatory, cost, and supply chain requirements. Working closely with cross-functional teams including R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, Quality, and regional manufacturing, you will drive new product launches, optimize existing packaging, and champion continuous improvement to deliver high-quality, fit-for-purpose packaging across diverse markets.

What You'll Do

Packaging Development & Innovation

• Lead the design, development, qualification, and commercialization of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions to support new product launches across Asia.
• Drive packaging innovation through new materials, technologies, and formats that enhance product performance, consumer experience, and business growth.
• Manage packaging development plans, change requests, approvals, and technical documentation, ensuring timely implementation and site support.
• Provide technical expertise to resolve packaging quality and manufacturing challenges while driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Sustainability & Compliance

• Lead regional sustainability initiatives focused on recyclability, material optimization, plastic reduction, and ESG commitments.
• Ensure packaging solutions comply with food safety, labelling, environmental, and regulatory requirements across Asia.
• Partner with Regulatory Affairs and Quality teams to ensure packaging materials meet safety, compliance, and quality standards.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build and manage relationships with packaging suppliers and external partners to drive innovation, quality, and supply continuity.
• Collaborate with R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, Quality, Regulatory, and Manufacturing teams to deliver fit-for-purpose packaging solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and share best practices with regional packaging teams across Asia.

Health, Safety & Wellbeing

• Promote a strong safety culture by ensuring packaging solutions support safe manufacturing, handling, transportation, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure packaging designs consider operator safety, production line performance, and compliance with health and safety standards.

Cost Optimisation & Value Engineering

• Identify cost-saving opportunities through value engineering, material optimization, and packaging standardization.
• Partner with Procurement and suppliers to develop cost-effective solutions while maintaining quality, functionality, and supply chain performance.

What You need to be successful

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 8–12+ years of packaging development experience within the FMCG, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, or related industries.
• Strong expertise in packaging materials, including plastics, paper, metal, and glass, with a solid understanding of packaging manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Proven experience leading packaging development projects, from concept through commercialization, across multiple Asian markets.
• Strong knowledge of regional packaging regulations, food contact compliance, labelling requirements, and environmental legislation.
• Experience driving packaging sustainability initiatives, including recyclability, material optimization, and circular economy principles.
• Familiarity with packaging specification management systems, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools, and digital packaging technologies.
• Knowledge of emerging packaging trends and technologies, including smart packaging and bio-based materials.
• Experience working in regional or global, cross-functional environments, collaborating with R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, Quality, and Manufacturing teams.
• Understanding of Monozukuri principles or equivalent continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong project management, stakeholder management, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Our DEI Commitment

At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, or differing abilities, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.