Barrier & Material Specialist
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Job Location:
Worcestershire - UK
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
18 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Location: UK (R8) or Belgium (Tour & Taxis)
Subject to Consultation
About the Role
The Barrier & Material Specialist will be responsible for evaluating developing andoptimisingpackaging materials for primary packaging and direct food contact applications to ensure product protection shelf-lifecostand sustainability targets are achieved. This role provides a deep material and barrier scienceexpertiseto support the platform in selecting andvalidatingmaterials across different packaging formats. The specialist contributes to the technical definition of material specifications supports testing and analysis and drives innovation in barrier performancerecyclabilityand material optimization. You will play a crucial hands-on role in bridging material science with functional packaging performance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead barrier and materialselectionfor primary packaging. Evaluate and recommendappropriate materialsbased on product requirements barrierneedsand regulatory compliance
Collaborate closely with designers to match material performance with pack formats converting requirements and filling conditions
Conduct and coordinate testing of oxygen moisture and aroma barrier properties using standardized test methods. Translate results into actionable recommendations
Model or test material interactions with various food typesincludingsacidicfattyor high-moisture products in collaboration with food safety
Partner with food safety to assess materials for potential migration risks and ensure compliance with global food contact regulations
Explore and continuously evaluate together with R&D new barriers that meet functional and environmental goals without compromising product protection and cost
Work closely with the Operations and MechanisationManagerto implement barrier printing at site level when
Act as the internal material expert across the development stages
Support the sub-regional innovation design network on barrierselectionwhen needed
Design and execute lab-scale and industrial-scale tests tovalidatebarrier performance sealingbehaviormachinabilityand regulatory fit.
About You
Bachelors or Mastersdegree inmaterials/polymer science or chemistry
Deep understanding of polymer types multilayer structurescoatingsand barrier technologies
Skilled in interpreting barrier test dataand applying this knowledge to real-worldsolutions
Familiarity with how packaging materials interact withdifferent products/foods environmentalconditionsand filling processes
Awareness of recyclability standards and material alternatives.
APPLICATIONS CLOSING DATE: 12th DECEMBER 2025
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
- Inventory Control
- Data Entry
- Forklift
- Computer Operation
- SAP Warehouse Management
- Supply Chain Experience
- Warehouse Experience
- Warehouse Distribution Experience
- ERP Systems
- Materials Management
- Logistics
- MRP
About Company
DS Smith is an international packaging company, offering sustainable, plastic-free packaging, integrated recycling services, and sustainable paper products.
