Packaging Development

• Be fully accountable for the technical delivery of all packaging initiatives across Innovation, Enterprise, Value Optimisation and Supply chain programmes, ensuring solutions meet the correct quality standards and are technically robust, meet consumer needs, are cost effective, delivered on time and successfully commercialised.
• Improve AG Barr sustainability credentials as part of delivering NTTW initiatives, future proofing our packaging requirements, managing risks, planning and leadership of sustainability projects from concept to launch including the delivery of our future legal packaging obligations with EPR and DRS. Conduct Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) or Life Cycle Perspectives to ensure packaging specifications consider environmental aspects and conduct impact mitigation.
• Provide technical guidance to the business on all packaging items. Work with the Product Team to ensure recipe and packaging interactions risks are mitigated and that the packaging will work with our machinery for successful project commercialisation.
• Ensure all packaging is compliant with food safety legislation and quality standards.
• Manage the interface between the R&D packaging team and sites of manufacture ensuring trials and first products are managed well to our right first time standards.
• Efficiently manage and control the packaging development budget, tracking expenditures, reporting on effectiveness, and adjusting plans as needed.

R&D Leadership

• With the R&D & Innovation leadership team, develop and oversee R&D strategies to explore new packaging technologies to support future Innovation within the soft drinks and alcohol beverage categories.
• Drive the digital transformation of R&D. Use Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) 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 the technical relationships with suppliers and drive continually to provide improved performance and service. Work with the Procurement team to develop supplier strategies & winning partnerships.
• Develop an external network of partners (suppliers, universities, research centres, trade bodies…) and attend conferences and networking events in order to complement the internal expertise and pool of resources, aiming always to deliver simpler, faster and better.

What you’ll bring...

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a scientific discipline, packaging technology or engineering.
• Extensive knowledge of all packaging components and materials used in the Soft Drinks and Alcohol Industry and knowledge of those used in other related industries. A sound knowledge of drinks manufacturing is required with specialist appreciation of bottle making, bottle filling, packing and palletisation.
• Understanding regulations (such as British and European Standards as applied to packaging, plastics migration directive,...) and legislation and translating these into workable actions.
• Knowledge and operation of ISO, BRC, HACCP and other quality management systems is essential. ISO 9001 & BRC quality certifications require all specifications for packaging materials to be approved prior to purchase and these procedures are to be adhered to and continually improved.
• A creative, innovative and practical approach is required for a well motivated self-starter with a good analytical approach to problem solving.
• The experience to be able to assess, develop and improve core R&D processes and ways of working.
• The ability to coach and develop a high performing team in both the technical components of the team’s roles and in the broader business skills that they require to operate effectively.
• The ability to talk the language of the consumer as well as technical and be commercially aware. Experienced in understanding consumer behaviour via consumer research and the ability to translate this into winning packaging solutions.
• Demonstrate our AG Barr behaviours of Being Honest, Accountable, Connected and Brave.

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;

• Competitive salary, benchmarked to market
• Annual bonus linked to business and individual performance
• Defined contribution Pension with employer contribution
• Up to 34 days holiday (depending on shift pattern)
• Flexible holiday trading
• Flexible cash pot to spend on benefits
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Flexible benefits e.g. discounts & cashbacks, gym memberships, technology purchases etc
• Life assurance
• Save as you earn scheme
• Staff sales discount
• Free AG Barr products throughout your working day and staff sales
• Ongoing professional development and access to Learning and Development programmes and content
• 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!

Speculative CVs from agencies will not be accepted.

Please note, we may close vacancies early where we receive significant numbers of applications, so apply now!