Packaging Manager

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Job Title: Sustainable Packaging Manager
Location: Hemel Hempstead - Hybrid working
Job Length: Permanent
Working Hours: Monday - Friday (full time)

Competitive Salary with extensive benefits:
• Monthly product allowance - alcoholic & non-alcoholic options available
• Private Medical options
• Life Assurance
• Company bonus scheme
• Access to 24/7 GP services
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Generous holiday (inc bank holidays)
• Access to a range of high street discounts

Carlsberg Britvic is the largest multi-beverage supplier in the UK and is home to some of the most iconic and popular beers & soft drinks, including Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, 1664, Poretti and Brooklyn to ale favourites such as Hobgoblin and Wainwright. For soft drinks, Carlsberg Britvic's brands include J2O, Robinsons, Tango and London Essence along with the licence rights to the Pepsi portfolio in the UK including Pepsi MAX, 7UP, Lipton Iced Tea and Rockstar Energy.

With a strong national footprint, the Carlsberg Britvic business includes 6 production facilities and 16 logistics depot's servicing customers up and down the UK. As these two historical businesses have come together, the one common goal remains, and that is ensuring our people succeed.

About the Role:

As a Packaging Development Manager working in the Carlsberg Group Development (CGD) team, you will apply your knowledge of materials, packaging, sustainability, and technology to develop and deliver more sustainable and innovative packaging. You will be responsible & accountable for the successful delivery of your allocated projects as well as leading project management activities, in some instance acting as a technical project manager and representing the business with suppliers/third party organisations.

In this role, you will anticipate, co-ordinate & run cross-functional and cross-national Packaging projects based on strong collaboration within the Carlsberg Corporate headquarter functions, Group Development and Group Research, Carlsberg subsidiaries and suppliers. You will act as the business expert on packaging materials and material science. You will also be leading pilot trials in preparation for scaling up innovations, so an understanding our factories and pilot plant capabilities, packaging technologies, production lines and packaging formats are essential.

Our team consists of highly trained professionals working cross functionally to innovate on our brands and collaborate with our bottling partners. Our passion is for developing superior products that consumers drink and love, best in class packaging and impeccable delivery of projects, while fostering a culture of growth where everyone can be their best and own self.

Key Responsibilities: Packaging Specific Responsibilities;

• Lead technical development on primary, secondary, tertiary packaging formats
• Manage projects across the material value chain, optimising material performance and recyclability.
• Support increased use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) PET by balancing food safety, mechanical properties, cost, and consumer acceptance.
• Liaise with suppliers, recyclers, and technology partners to scale sustainable packaging solutions across Carlsberg markets.

Core Responsibilities:

• Build key partnerships with universities, technology partners, and third parties to explore new packaging and material innovation opportunities.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with the supplier community on next-generation packaging solutions, building both internal and external capability.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of packaging formats, materials, new technologies, trends, competitor activity, and products.
• Take an active part in a global packaging innovation network, encouraging open sharing and best practice across technical innovation.
• Project manage technical workstreams involving multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring all work complies with Carlsberg's technical processes and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain accurate packaging specifications, ensuring they are statistically validated and that legal and intellectual property requirements are protected.
• Create testing plans and technical reports to share with the wider team, delivering training where required to strengthen team capability.
• Apply strong technical knowledge, leadership, and influence to guide cross-functional teams toward achieving project objectives and delivering packaging innovations that support Carlsberg's strategic agenda.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required

• In-depth knowledge of packaging, innovation, and manufacturing processes across primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging.
• Strong technical expertise in packaging components, processes, chemistry.
• Research skills in material science, packaging design, and application of novel technologies.
• Ability to analyse competitor activity and environmental issues and translate them into actionable insights and strategic direction for packaging innovation.
• Awareness and understanding of environmental compliance, regulations, and legislation affecting packaging materials and processes.
• Proven experience in FMCG technical departments, leading the delivery of cross-functional technical projects.
• Experience working with manufacturing teams on process scale-up from laboratory through pilot plant to full production.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, including relationship building, facilitation, and strong written and verbal communication.
• Effective organisational skills and the capability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong self-management of tasks and time, with the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Stakeholder management skills, with proven ability to influence, engage, and communicate across different functions and levels.
• Strong analytical capability, with both quantitative and qualitative problem-solving skills.
• Expertise in Material Chemistry, with a high focus on polymers is desirable.
• Experience in Project Management in multiple packaging formats.
• Experience of leading packaging projects from ideation to execution, working with cross functional teams.
• Experience of managing long term research projects and good scientific research skills.

Key Behaviours:

• Rigorous, disciplined, accountable and driven.
• Ability to work in an international teams, with remote colleagues and different cultures
• Creates fresh and innovative approaches to overcome challenges.
• Investigates opportunities that positively separate Carlsberg from its competitors.
• Takes others with them through a blend of passion and reason.
• Embrace a culture of learning and professional development - individual and team capability.
• Constantly grows influential networks across the business and organisations, influencing others with a blend of passion and reason.
• Swiftly responds to ensure projects are delivered to plan.
• Constantly seeking ways to optimise the way we work to be more effective / efficient.

Qualifications:

• Educated to degree level, ideally Masters level within a Technical discipline (Materials science, Chemistry, Engineering or packaging technology).

Interested in finding out more? Apply today and a member of the recruitment team will be in touch!

Application Process: We read applications continuously, and vacancies may be filled anytime, so please apply as early as possible.

We look forward to receiving your application.

This is an exciting time to join our newly formed business - with their incredible individual history's, innovation of products and some of the UK's most iconic brands, Carlsberg Britvic strives to deliver the best service to our customers and consumers. We aim to make a difference, bringing together two diverse companies, our global reach enables opportunity, growth and a chance to work with some fantastic people.