We are looking for a talented Packaging Development Manager to join our team. This role will be based at Bearsted with travel to sites around Kent.
Overview
Hands-on packaging development professional supporting fresh produce (and other fast-moving food categories) from concept through to implementation. Leads packaging projects end-to-end, working closely with packhouses/manufacturing sites, packaging suppliers, and commercial/technical stakeholders to deliver fit-for-purpose, compliant, cost-effective packaging solutions. Experienced in trials, data-led decision making, and sustainability metrics (e.g., packaging weight reduction, material changes, plastic reduction, and EPR impact).
Scope
• Product areas: fresh produce and short shelf-life food categories (e.g., stonefruit, berries, salads, exotics/tropicals, dates and nuts).
• Customers: multi-retailer environment including major UK grocery/wholesale customers (customer names removed for confidentiality).
• Internal stakeholders: commercial, technical/quality, operations/engineering, supply chain and procurement.
• External stakeholders: packaging suppliers, printers/artwork agencies, and global supply partners/packhouses.
Purpose of the role
• Provide packaging development support across multiple business units and customer accounts to identify, develop and implement next-generation packaging solutions
• Partner with packing/manufacturing sites to plan, run and document packaging trials to de-risk implementation and ensure operational feasibility.
• Brief and manage packaging suppliers to develop fit-for-purpose, compliant packaging that meets product performance, sustainability and cost targets.
Key responsibilities
Project management & governance
Packaging development, design & compliance
• Ensure new and existing packaging formats meet relevant legal and food contact requirements, as well as customer packaging policies and sustainability strategies.
• Translate product and operational needs into robust packaging specifications (including cutter guides, sealing requirements, tolerances and performance criteria).
• Partner with suppliers to develop and refine concepts, samples and specifications through to sign-off and controlled launch.
Testing, trialling & validation
Artwork approval & customer compliance portals
• Manage customer-specific packaging portals and approval workflows for packaging design, specifications and artwork sign-off (confidential customer details removed).
• Ensure accurate version control, timely approvals and alignment between artwork, specifications and final produced packaging.