Research & Development Specialist: Packaging

Job Advert Summary

Clover is looking for a Research & Development Specialist: Packaging to effectively manage multiple concurrent new and existing packaging development, design, optimisation, compliance, technical support under his/her responsibility in a fast-paced FMCG environment while building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to meet Clover's objectives.

Minimum Requirements

• Degree or National Diploma and/or equivalent qualification in Packaging Technology, Food Science, Polymer Science, Materials Science or Chemical Engineering. Printing Technology or related technical discipline will be advantageous.
• 5+ years of experience in packaging raw materials, technologies and functionality. More than 8 years’ experience will be advantageous
• Understanding of packaging principles, material science and technologies
• Knowledge of relevant printing processes, including flexographic, gravure, lithographic and digital printing where applicable
• Project Management experience
• Experience in FMCG, food, dairy, beverage or related manufacturing packaging development advantageous
• MS Office (Advanced)
• Business English: Fluent
• Experience conducting packaging trials, line validations and troubleshooting packaging performance issues
• Knowledge of food safety, quality systems and specification management advantageous
• Strong supplier engagement, stakeholder management and technical communication experience
• Valid driver's licence, aligned with role travel requirements

Duties and Responsibilities

Design and develop packaging materials

• Develop packaging recommendations aligned to marketing briefs, technical feasibility, value analysis, risk, cost, timing, accessibility, food safety and consumer expectations.
• Provide drawings, generic sample, 3-D printed models, workmaps and packaging specification requirements timely.
• Be the technical packaging expert & support to all relevant departments (Marketing, Procurement, Production, Quality, Logistics & Engineering).
• Coordinate and supervise packaging material trials and manage all the packaging aspects of projects
• Define packaging quality criteria and the control methods required to maintain them.
• Promote packaging solutions that reduce waste and support environmental objectives.
• Participate in shelf-life predictive modelling, relevant shelf-life testing and/or consumer tests
• Track local and international packaging launches, trends and innovations, and share relevant opportunities with Marketing through regular innovation sessions.
• Build effective cross-functional relationships with Marketing, Procurement, Production, New Business Development, Quality, Engineering and other relevant internal functions.

Liaise with packaging material suppliers

• Develop knowledge of new packaging materials, functionality, technologies, printing processes, equipment, innovation and saving opportunities.
• Build professional supplier relationships to strengthen technical networks and access innovation and new technology insights.
• Co-ordinate communications amongst suppliers, procurement, production, quality and engineering teams
• Mitigate risk for Clover by evaluating & auditing potential new and/or alternative suppliers
• Support supplier quality audits and packaging incident investigations.
• Resolve packaging quality issues with Supply Chain and suppliers, including root-cause investigation and corrective actions.
• Ensure regulatory adherence and compliance

Ensure compliance with the operational requirements of the factory

• Create packaging item codes, load and maintain the BOM's
• Draft, issue, maintain and control packaging material specifications, pallet configurations and colour standards
• Ensure pack material designs & quality aspects comply with operational requirements and constraints of the factories
• Support fault finding and corrective actions for existing packaging specification deviations with Production, Procurement, Logistics, Quality and Engineering.
• Participate with Engineering and Production in setting up and commissioning of new packaging lines/equipment

Support & implement continuous improvements/optimisations of current packaging & processes within factories and external manufacturers according to organisational needs

• Benchmark product ranges locally and internationally to improve packaging design and quality standards.
• Manage technical packaging projects, including sourcing, quality improvements, compliance, productivity savings, timelines, roadblocks, critical paths and resource constraints.
• Identify, evaluate, control and implement cost savings, packaging optimisations and efficiency improvements.
• Provide first-line packaging support to external factories and help eliminate the root cause of packaging assistance requests.