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AG Barr

UK soft drinks manufacturer and marketer

Head of Packaging Development

Manufacturing EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeCumbernauld, Glasgow, UK

About the Job

Requirements

  • Degree level or equivalent in a scientific discipline, packaging technology, or engineering.
  • Extensive knowledge of packaging components and materials used in the soft drinks and alcohol industry and related industries.
  • Sound knowledge of drinks manufacturing, with specialist appreciation of bottle making, bottle filling, packing, and palletisation.
  • Understanding of packaging regulations and legislation, including British and European Standards and plastics migration directives, and the ability to translate these into workable actions.
  • Knowledge and operation of ISO, BRC, HACCP, and other quality management systems is essential.
  • A creative, innovative, and practical approach, with an analytical approach to problem solving.
  • Experience assessing, developing, and improving core R&D processes and ways of working.
  • Ability to coach and develop a high-performing team in technical role components and broader business skills.
  • Ability to communicate with consumers and technical stakeholders and demonstrate commercial awareness.
  • Experience understanding consumer behaviour through consumer research and translating it into packaging solutions.
  • Demonstrate AG Barr behaviours of being honest, accountable, connected, and brave.

Responsibilities

  • Develop the packaging team's capabilities to deliver short- and longer-term company objectives across soft drinks and alcohol.
  • Recruit, train, motivate, and manage the performance of packaging teams, building an efficient team that meets current and future business needs and fostering continuous improvement and learning and development.
  • Represent the packaging team on internal business forums, negotiate deadlines and project briefs with business leaders, and manage stakeholder expectations.
  • Be accountable for technical delivery of packaging initiatives, ensuring solutions meet quality standards, are technically robust and risk assessed, meet consumer needs, are cost effective, are delivered on time, and are successfully commercialised.
  • Anticipate sustainability, packaging, and consumer market trends; complete competitor benchmarking; and recommend packaging initiatives and pack decoration to enhance consumer experiences, support brand strategy, and improve company credentials.
  • Continuously improve the team's Quality Management Systems, reflect best practice, minimise business risks, and ensure procedures are followed.
  • Deliver packaging initiatives across Innovation, Enterprise, Value Optimisation, and Supply Chain programmes, ensuring quality, technical robustness, consumer fit, cost effectiveness, timely delivery, and successful commercialisation.
  • Improve sustainability credentials through NTTW initiatives, future-proof packaging requirements, manage risks, and plan and lead sustainability projects from concept to launch, including future legal packaging obligations under EPR and DRS.
  • Conduct Life Cycle Assessments or Life Cycle Perspectives to address environmental aspects in packaging specifications and mitigate impacts.
  • Provide technical guidance on packaging; work with the Product Team to mitigate recipe and packaging interaction risks and ensure packaging works with machinery for successful commercialisation.
  • Ensure packaging complies with food safety legislation and quality standards.
  • Manage the interface between the R&D packaging team and manufacturing sites, ensuring trials and first products are managed to right-first-time standards.
  • Manage and control the packaging development budget, track expenditure, report on effectiveness, and adjust plans as needed.
  • Develop and oversee R&D strategies with the R&D and Innovation leadership team to explore packaging technologies supporting future innovation in soft drinks and alcohol.
  • Drive R&D digital transformation; use Product Lifecycle Management architecture to centralise and manage packaging specifications and regulatory documentation; explore AI-driven tools for design and rapid prototyping, material sustainability, and smart packaging.
  • Manage technical relationships with suppliers and drive improved performance and service; work with Procurement to develop supplier strategies and partnerships.
  • Develop an external network of suppliers, universities, research centres, and trade bodies, and attend conferences and networking events to complement internal expertise and resources.

About the Company

AG Barr

UK soft drinks manufacturer and marketer

A.G. Barr is a UK-based beverage company that makes soft drinks, juices, waters, and non-alcoholic beverages. It operates with an integrated model that covers the entire chain—from product development and in-house manufacturing across multiple UK sites to distribution and direct marketing and selling of its brands. Its portfolio blends legacy favorites with newer drinks, built under one roof to ensure consistent quality and scalability. The company differentiates itself through its long history, diverse and differentiated brand lineup, and end-to-end control of manufacturing, supply, and go-to-market activities, supported by a commitment to integrity and sustainability. Its goal is to delight consumers with reliable products while acting responsibly toward people, communities, and the environment.”} 0={()=>} 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Company size
501-1,000
Company stage
IPO
Headquarters
Cumbernauld, United Kingdom
Founded
1875

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