R&D Packaging Manager

Job Description

A collective energy and ambition. A place where you can make a real difference.

We’re a company that genuinely cares about our people, our products, our consumers and the environment.

Our unique, informal culture champions courage, determination and collaboration. Knowing we have an open and supportive team means each of us has the freedom to take responsibility and ownership. We have a shared passion to work hard, innovate and push boundaries.

United by the belief that when we strive for growth, anything is possible. While we might not be the largest company in our industry, we believe we can have the biggest impact because: Together We Have the Power to Win.

Are you a passionate Packaging Manager? Do you have experience of successfully leading teams? Do you have a deep understanding of the development, validation and execution of new packaging elements?

If the answer is yes - then look no further as Church & Dwight UK Ltd have an exciting opportunity for an R&D Packaging Manager to join our exclusive team based in our R&D Facility in Folkestone!

As the R&D Packaging Manager you will be responsible for driving the development, validation, and execution of new packaging elements, as well as optimizing existing packaging elements through cost savings, sustainability improvements, and manufacturing efficiency improvements. You will proactively interface with relevant business partners to manage projects, lead the team to develop and execute packaging testing plans, and keep up to date with sustainability requirements. You will assess the value and benefits of technology, identify intellectual property, and assures proper steps are taken to protect the company's assets. The role also provides technical support to production sites, assures flawless handovers of technology from the laboratory to manufacturing, and analyses packaging components and manufacturing processes to reduce costs and improve gross margins of brands.

Key responsibilities include:

• New Packaging Development & Innovation: Lead and support the team to design, test, and execute new packaging elements for primary, secondary and tertiary packaging, with a focus on cost savings, sustainability, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Technology & Innovation: Assess the value and benefits of new technologies for acquisitions and licenses, identify and protect intellectual property, and implement research programs for new growth platforms.
• Regulatory/Legal: Keep up to date with regulatory and legislative activities regarding packaging and recycling, and ensure that all projects comply with the relevant requirements.
• Quality Improvement: Establish a strong quality mindset within the organisation, work with Quality Assurance to identify and implement improvement programs for finished products and ensure the R&D processes and systems follow quality criteria.
• Technical Services in Support of Manufacturing: Provide technical support to production sites and contract manufacturers, ensure flawless handovers of technology from laboratory to manufacturing, and analyse packaging components and processes to reduce costs and improve gross margins.
• Business Acumen: Provide expertise to develop packaging solutions working closely with global business teams, harmonise global business practices and improve efficiency of the R&D organisation, and incorporate cost and efficiency targets into all new pack designs.
• People Management and Development: Conduct performance management and career development of technical staff, identify and address employee engagement issues, and oversee the daily running of Packaging Development laboratory and staff.

The ideal candidate should have a university degree in sciences or engineering or a related relevant professional qualification. You should also have at least five years of experience in consumer goods packaging development or a similar environment, and experience in technology sourcing and innovation management. Additionally, you should be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, the ability to communicate on an executive level, proven leadership capability, experience managing organizations composed of scientists and engineers, and decision-making skills. Furthermore, you should be able to foster strong cross-functional relationships and build effective project teams and have strong negotiating skills. Finally, you will have a passion for learning and your continuous professional development. Knowledge of different languages will be advantageous.

This role works 39 hours per week Monday-Friday.

In return we offer a competitive package, including 24 days annual leave, a pension matched up to 9%, discretionary annual bonus, life assurance cover and membership of a health cash plan.

This is a great opportunity to work with recognisable global brands and to see your work in the real world. Sounds interesting? Send us your CV and let’s talk.

For more information on our company, our brands and our culture visit us at http://www.churchdwight.co.uk/

When applying for a role and sending your cv, you understand that the Company will hold your personal data in relation to your prospective employment and will process that data for legitimate business reasons within the requirements of UK data protection laws currently in effect and as they become applicable, including the Data Protection Act 1998, the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679)) and any successor legislation. Candidate Privacy Notice.