Packaging Technologist

Corporate Office | Woodstock, Cape Town

About the role

Sea Harvest is one of South Africa’s leading fishing and food companies, with a proud heritage and a reputation for quality that reaches tables around the world. Our Sales and Marketing Department at our Corporate Office in Woodstock, Cape Town, is looking for a detail-oriented and commercially aware Packaging Technologist to help bring our products to life through high-quality, compliant and innovative packaging.

In this role, you will coordinate the development, approval, implementation and maintenance of packaging specifications and artwork across our product range. You will work closely with Sales and Marketing, Supply Chain, suppliers and other internal stakeholders to ensure that every packaging solution meets legal, customer, quality, sustainability and operational requirements.

This is an opportunity for someone with technical packaging knowledge and strong project-coordination skills, who enjoys working across multiple stakeholders and delivering accurate packaging solutions in a dynamic FMCG environment.

What you’ll do

• Brief stakeholders and suppliers on all new packaging developments and packaging amendments in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), R146, R3337, SANS, customer specifications, and other applicable legislation.
• Coordinate internal and external packaging approval processes.

Coordinate and approve packaging artwork and printing processes.

• Manage internal and external packaging libraries, ensuring all specifications and artwork are current and accurately maintained.
• Ensure packaging-related information on Sea Harvest website product pages is current and accurate.
• Administer all documentation and records related to the packaging function.
• Provide technical packaging support to the Sales and Marketing and Supply Chain teams.
• Liaise with packaging suppliers to ensure materials meet quality, legal, sustainability and operational requirements.
• Support New Product Development initiatives through packaging innovation, testing, supplier engagement and implementation.
• Monitor packaging trends, competitor activity and market developments to identify innovation and cost-optimisation opportunities.

What you’ll bring

• A relevant Degree, or equivalent qualification, in Food Science, Food Technology, Packaging Technology, Marketing or a related field.
• 1–3 years’ relevant experience in packaging development, artwork coordination, packaging specifications and/or packaging project coordination, preferably within an FMCG or food-manufacturing environment.
• Sound knowledge of New Product Development processes and marketing principles.
• Strong computer literacy, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.
• A valid Code B driver’s license, and the ability to travel independently to suppliers, sites and meetings when required.
• An IPSA Packaging Technology Diploma will be advantageous.

What will help you succeed

• Strong planning, organisational and project-management skills.
• The ability to manage multiple interdependent projects, deadlines and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy and document-control discipline.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across teams and with suppliers.
• A proactive and accountable approach, with the ability to take ownership and drive work forward.
• Sound analytical, numerical and problem-solving ability.
• The ability to prioritise effectively, remain organised and deliver to agreed deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• An interest in food, packaging innovation and continuous improvement.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism and adaptability.