Head of Innovation Platform Food Contact & Primary Packaging

Location: UK/ Belgium

Subject to Consultation

About the role

The roleis responsible forleading theoverall technicaldevelopmentofprimary and direct food contactpackaging fromproduct developmentto commercial implementation at scale. To ensuresuccessful transition of concepts into commercial-ready packagingsolutions this role requirestechnical leadership strongmulti-functional collaborationand hands-on execution.

You will lead own and drive the technical team and development for relevant packaging solutions from early-stage product development through to full-scale manufacturing to ensure solutions are fit for purpose and adequately customised to fit specific customer requirements.

In collaboration with Key functions you will take a leadership role in feeding the specific pipeline with innovative solutions to meet ambitious commercial targets whilst satisfying unmet customer and consumer paint points.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Platform governance and technical roadmaps - define and maintain technical direction for the platform ensuring it supports product pipelines local market needs and global standards

• Lead and coordinate platform-level implementations/projects with clear timelines milestones budgets and risk mitigation plans ensuring timely delivery

• Work in close collaboration with Product Management to provide the information required to make products and solutions commercially viable

• Lead technical adaptation and customisation to meet specific customer or market needs ensuring quality and scalability

• Oversee design execution and documentation of tech specs testing protocols including e.g. shelf-life studies compatibility barrier performance and customer goals

• Take responsibility for and ensure technical performance of the platform managed innovations with deep understanding of the science and mechanics of why it performs the way it does

• Act as a hands-on problem-solver supporting the team and local forces in resolving technical challenges during scale-up

• Provide leadership and direction to the team and ensure technical rigor and delivery against project objectives

• Outline continuous improvement strategy and set out optimisation programs to improve product performance

• Ensure food contact safety and regulatory compliance of managed projects/products

• Playing a key role to platform success by contributing scientific data-driven insights and sharing technical understandings to stakeholders outside the platform

• This role brings a scientific and technical understanding to the development of new products the large levels of prototype creation testing problem solving and conducting deep dives into data to identify trends and opportunities.

About You

• Educated to a degree level or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Previous experience in primary packaging with hands-on experience with customer adaptations line integration etc.

• Experience in a technical project lead role with demonstrated capability in execution and delivery

• Documented technicalexpertisein primary and food contact packaging(plastics and paper)

• Strong multi-functional technical experience (internal and customer mechanisation)

• Food contact compliance knowledge(training or certification in food contact compliance or product safety is desirable)

• Proven ability to plan execute and deliver on projects

• Demonstrated ability to lead a team of specialists and designers fostering collaboration and accountability

• Business acumen and financial understanding

• Strong communicationpresentationand organisational skills.

APPLICATIONS CLOSING DATE: 12th DECEMBER 2025