We're looking for a proactive Packaging & Innovation Support Engineer for an initial 12 month contract to join a leading FMCG manufacturer during an exciting period of operational growth and transformation. This role is key to delivering packaging improvement initiatives that drive sustainability, innovation, and manufacturing efficiency across the site.
You will work closely with cross-functional teams in production, engineering, and central packaging R&D to support a broad range of packaging development, value optimisation, and capital investment projects. This is an ideal opportunity for someone with a strong background in packaging-particularly within food and beverage manufacturing who is ready to make a measurable impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support packaging trials, ensuring smooth execution in line with the site's trial calendar.
- Deliver measurable improvements across sustainability, cost reduction, and packaging innovation projects.
- Collaborate with packaging suppliers and OEMs to implement the most efficient and technically effective packaging solutions.
- Apply and embed continuous improvement tools (5S, A3, Fishbone, 5 WHYs) to support OEE and productivity gains.
- Evaluate factory layouts for packaging process optimisation.
- Provide input on ISO9001 and ISO14001 packaging compliance and support audits as required.
- Influence key internal and external stakeholders to ensure packaging development initiatives are well-executed and aligned with business goals.
- Support the development and refinement of packaging standards and trial protocols.
What You'll Bring
- A degree or equivalent experience in a science or engineering discipline.
- Minimum 2 years of hands-on packaging experience, ideally in the food, packaging or beverage manufacturing sector.
- Strong understanding of packaging technologies.
- Demonstrated experience with continuous improvement methodologies; a formal CI qualification is advantageous.
- Proficiency in project management and ability to lead initiatives from trial to implementation.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence across functions.
- IT literate with strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities.
- Comfortable working independently and under tight deadlines.
What Sets You Apart
You're driven & motivated by impact, results, and improvement.
A natural communicator who can adapt to different audiences, from operators to senior stakeholders.
A problem-solver who combines innovation with structure.
You're decisive-ready to take initiative and confident in your judgment.
This role offers the chance to make a tangible contribution to both packaging innovation and wider operational excellence within a dynamic and supportive manufacturing environment. If you are passionate about packaging, sustainability, and making things better & this could be the perfect next step.