Packaging Development Manager - Innovation

AG Barr Group; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job description

Are you ready to Be Your Best Barr None?

We are all about Being Your Best Barr None and having a career with real Moments that Matter!

AG Barr has been quenching the nation's thirst for over 145 years and is home to some of the UK's most loved drinks brands.

Employing around 850 people across four business units and seven UK locations, we are proud to be a responsible business that takes care of our people, values diversity, gives something back to our communities and works to minimise our environmental impact.

At our core is Barr Soft Drinks, home to some of the UK's most loved soft drinks. Whether it's the iconic IRN-BRU, launched in 1901 and still going strong today, the vibrant RUBICON fruit based brand or the unique range of BARR flavours, we brighten people's lives with refreshingly different drinks.

We also have a number of exciting owned brands within our portfolio, including the functional drinks brand Boost, FUNKIN which operates in the exciting and growing cocktail market and MOMA, which crafts quality oats into great tasting oat drinks and porridges.

There's never been a better time to join us!

What We're Looking For...

Within R&D at AG Barr we believe that the quality, taste and pack presentation of our products is right at the heart of the success of the business. We pride ourselves in delivering a superior product experience through our rigorous consumer research programme and ensuring the authenticity of our flavours.

As our Packaging Development Manager you'll join a forward-thinking and sustainability-driven organisation dedicated to reducing the impact of packaging and achieving some very ambitious environmental targets.

You'll lead and deliver the feasibility, risk assessment, planning and implementation of innovation and sustainability projects from concept to launch including the delivery of our legal packaging obligations such as PPWR, DRS, EPR and SUP.

You will also bring the developments of new materials, technologies, along with competitor benchmarking and strategy analysis back into the business to drive building brand strategy, public commitments towards the environment and upskilling of knowledge within the R&D team.

You'll manage, promote & communicate packaging innovation and packaging sustainability with internal partners and key stakeholders.

Your Responsibilities Will Include...

1. To scope, develop and recommend technical solutions that deliver against our super charge innovation pillar. Ensuring that we have a bank of options and understand speed to market opportunities. Ultimately to provide options for the right packaging for the right sales channel.
2. Work collaboratively to secure support and investment required for innovation ideas.
3. Upskill knowledge of innovative materials and processes within the R&D team.
4. To proactively source and qualify potential new suppliers / materials / technologies with clear documentation of state of readiness, potential supply base options and initial draft costs.
5. Recommend and establish sources for innovative ideas / materials / technologies.
6. Attend and represent the business at industry meetings and seminars as required.
7. To work closely and provide functional expertise to projects in our stage gate process (called i5 and e3). To work with our procurement, production, marketing and sustainability teams to provide sustainable solutions for our brands.
8. To develop and recommend technical solutions that deliver against opportunities identified through the business process. As the innovation and sustainability strategies evolve, packaging solutions and technologies will require new learning that should be shared in the R&D team.
9. Lead cross functional teams to deliver on projects.
10. Sit on business forums that drive the integrated agenda for innovative packaging, recyclable packaging, recycling infrastructure and communications. Work collaboratively to secure support and investment required for changes.

What You'll Bring...

1. Educated to degree level in Packaging, Material Science or Engineering with significant post-graduate experience in a packaging team within an FMCG business.
2. Experience of project management, leading and working in cross functional project teams is essential.
3. A passion for sustainability and innovation with experience leading sustainable packaging project solutions.
4. FMCG manufacturing is preferable and should include a deep understanding of packaging material manufacture, filling technologies, labelling, packing and palletisation.
5. Knowledge and operation of ISO, BRC, HACCP and other quality management systems is essential.
6. The knowledge to assess, develop and improve core processes and ways of working.
7. Ability to manage technical risks and develop packaging specifications, test methods for the business.
8. Strong interpersonal skills are required as is the ability to work as part of a high performing team.
9. Experienced in understanding consumer behaviour via consumer research and the ability to translate this into winning packaging solutions.
10. Strong commercial awareness and time management skills to deliver projects on time and on budget.
11. To display a strong sense of the Barr Behaviours and participate in a strong learning culture within the team.
12. Strong awareness of ESG-related regulations.
13. Experience of managing projects and engaging internal and external partners.
14. The ability to communicate, influence and challenge internal and external partners successfully.
15. The confidence to develop relationships, working in cross functional teams to deliver wider business goals.

What We Offer...

We believe in creating a diverse and inclusive culture where your voice can be heard. Our skilled, loyal and committed people are critical to the future success of AG Barr which is why we are continually investing in our employees to develop their talent.

We look after our employees by offering a competitive salary and benefits package which includes;

1. Up to 34 days holiday (depending on shift pattern).
2. Flexible holiday trading.
3. Living Wage Employer.
4. Healthcare Cash Plan.
5. Peppy Health.
6. Flexible benefits e.g. discounts & cashbacks, gym memberships, technology purchases etc.
7. Life assurance.
8. Save as you earn scheme.
9. Staff sales discount.
10. Free AG Barr products throughout your working day.
11. Pension.
12. Annual salary review.
13. Ongoing professional development.

And much more!

To find out more about what it is like to work for AG Barr, please visit our careers platform here.

We are an equal opportunities employer and happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that may be needed for successful candidates with a disability, health or mental health condition.

While we have highlighted our ideal requirements for this role, we are realistic that the successful candidate probably won't meet every single requirement in this advert, but we are big advocates of people growing in role. So even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to submit an application - you may be just what we are looking for! Apply now!