Packaging Innovation Specialist - FMCG

Placements24; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical and retirement benefits

Professional development opportunities

Attendance at industry conferences

Creative and collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Packaging Development Specialist to join our FMCG product development team in Paarl, Western Cape. You will conceptualize, design, and implement new packaging solutions to enhance product appeal, functionality, and sustainability.

You will collaborate with R&D, marketing, and production to bring concepts to market, ensuring compliance with food safety and environmental standards. A strong background in packaging materials, processes, and testing is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 4+ years in packaging development within FMCG.
• Knowledge of packaging materials, processes (extrusion, injection molding, thermoforming).
• Familiarity with packaging design tools and food-contact regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new packaging concepts from ideation to commercialization.
• Collaborate with marketing and R&D to understand product requirements.
• Evaluate materials based on protection, cost, and sustainability goals.
• Work with suppliers to prototype and test packaging structures.
• Conduct performance tests on materials and finished packs (barrier, drop tests, shelf-life).
• Ensure designs comply with food safety, regulatory, and environmental standards.
• Develop packaging specifications and artwork guidelines.
• Support scale-up from lab to production.
• Identify cost-saving or performance-improvement opportunities.
• Stay current with packaging trends and sustainability initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science

Tools

Packaging design software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Packaging Development Specialist to join our FMCG product development team in Paarl, Western Cape. You will conceptualize, design, and implement new packaging solutions to enhance product appeal, functionality, and sustainability.

You will collaborate with R&D, marketing, and production to bring concepts to market, ensuring compliance with food safety and environmental standards. A strong background in packaging materials, processes, and testing is required.