Senior Packaging Engineer

The Senior Packaging Engineer (Fixed-Term Contract,12 months) role is an important leadership one within the European Packaging Development organisation. You will be leading package development activities and will be accountable for the execution of the allocated projects within the team. The purpose of the job is to deliver new packaging design and development projects, from concept through to implementation in our factory network and beyond. In addition, you will be responsible for projects aimed at improving the design and performance of our existing packaging portfolio, and ensuring that opportunities to optimise costs are identified and realised. You will also work with the rest of the Packaging team to deliver the packaging solutions to achieve Mars’ ambitious 2025 sustainability goals.

In this role, you will use your advanced technical knowledge and experience to develop and implement new packaging within a specified area of the portfolio and coach and mentor others as part of this.

Location: Slough, UK

Work model: hybrid

Salary Range: £57,000 - £67,000, annual bonus, benefits

What are we looking for?

• Degree level qualification in a relevant technical discipline (Packaging, Engineering sciences etc); OR relevant prior technical experience; Packaging diploma/degree desirable but not essential

• Demonstrated knowledge of packaging materials, including flexibles, rigid plastic, cartons, and cases, including machine interaction

• Understanding of packaging sciences, packaging development, packaging legislation, food processing and production.

• Good command of the English language

• Demonstrable Experience in leading and managing projects in an FMCG environment, demonstrating project management skills including risk management, prioritization and managing a diverse group of stakeholders both in demand and supply

• Experience in working with outside vendors to deliver project requirements

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Leads high-profile and complex packaging activities and is accountable for the execution of the allocated programs to bring projects through to commercialisation, shaping and inputting their own initiative

• Owns the technical packaging design and development for a variety of projects (of increasing complexity) with a focus on one or more product categories to support growth, value leadership, supply security or sustainability.

• Creating packaging prototypes and ensuring successful line trials at Mars, co-packer and co-manufacturing sites, ensuring the relevant documentation is produced and results are accurately recorded

• Creating packaging designs and specifications that deliver the desirable KQA’s via robust risk management and the delivery of shopper, customer and supply chain requirements

• Working with cross-functional teams to deliver Desirable, Viable, Feasible, and Sustainable innovation, leading projects of different levels of complexity at the same time

• Working with Regional and Global R&D teams to develop and ensure the effective technical delivery of activities and projects

• Working with the Global or Regional Supply teams to develop and deliver existing or new technology to deliver Innovation and Value Leadership

• Proactively manages Intellectual Property risks & opportunities

• Is a technical expert and contacts Regionally or Globally for packaging, facilitating pack learnings across brands/markets

• Works with the greater packaging development teams to further develop packaging standards in close cooperation with Q&FS and Suppliers

• Leading team activities across engagement and capability building, playing a strong coaching and mentoring role within the team

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.

• Join a purpose-driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

• An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.

Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long term health conditions or are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here

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