Lead Packaging Technologist

Tiger Brands; Makana Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Tiger Brands is seeking a seasoned packaging development leader to drive the design and implementation of high‑quality, sustainable packaging across products. You will manage packaging materials, standards, and documentation, ensuring compliance with quality, food safety, and regulatory requirements.

Collaborate with R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, and suppliers to deliver innovative packaging solutions; lead trials, shelf‑life assessments, and cost optimization while ensuring

Qualifications

• 5+ years in FMCG packaging development.
• Packaging diploma or equivalent.
• Innovation and commercialization experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging design and development from concept to commercialization.
• Drive projects with cross-functional teams to ensure readiness.
• Manage packaging specs, documentation, and supplier engagement.
• Conduct shelf-life assessments and cost-optimization initiatives.
• Ensure packaging changes comply with quality, safety, and regulatory standards.

Skills

Packaging development

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Supplier management

Regulatory compliance

Shelf-life assessment

Education

Packaging Diploma or equivalent

Tools

PLM

SAP/Oracle

Job description

It’s fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they’re doing!

You are responsible for leading the development and launch of high-quality, sustainable, and cost-effective packaging solutions, including the improvement and re-engineering of existing packaging. You will provide expertise in packaging materials, technologies, and category requirements, ensuring compliance with quality, food safety, and regulatory standards. You will manage packaging development documentation, collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams, and drive packaging innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

• Lead the design and development of packaging solutions that meet product, manufacturing, quality, and consumer requirements.
• Drive packaging projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring successful implementation and operational readiness.
• Support manufacturing through packaging problem-solving, re-engineering initiatives, and cost optimization projects.
• Collaborate with R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, and suppliers to deliver innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.
• Develop and manage packaging specifications, standards, and technical documentation.
• Provide technical expertise in packaging materials, technologies, and manufacturing processes.
• Support supplier selection, packaging trials, plant requirements, and packaging-related capital investment projects.
• Ensure packaging changes are implemented in a controlled, compliant, and consistent manner across the value chain.
• Lead packaging governance, ensuring accurate documentation, specifications, and system compliance (PLM, SAP/Oracle, trials, and approvals).
• Oversee packaging trials, validation activities, and commercialization to ensure manufacturing readiness and successful implementation.
• Drive packaging performance through shelf-life assessments, packaging evaluations, yield optimization, and risk management.
• Lead artwork, colour standards, and packaging change management processes to ensure quality and compliance.
• Champion sustainable packaging solutions through design optimization, recycling initiatives, waste reduction, and continuous improvement.

Experience

• 5+ years in FMCG packaging development
• Packaging Diploma or equivalent
• Innovation and commercialisation experience

In accordance with the employment equity plan of Tiger Brands and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited, to candidates from under-represented designated groups.