Packaging specialist

Job Overview

The Packaging Specialist is responsible for developing, improving, and maintaining food packaging solutions to ensure product quality, food safety, manufacturability, cost competitiveness, and regulatory compliance. This role works closely with R&D, Production, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and packaging suppliers to develop and commercialize packaging solutions from concept through product launch while ensuring quality, food safety, manufacturability, cost competitiveness, and regulatory compliance.

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Packaging Technology, Food Science, Material Science, or a related field.

Professional Experience

·         3-5 years of experience in packaging development within the food processing industry.

·         Hands-on experience in packaging development from concept through commercialization.

·         Strong knowledge of packaging materials, food processing, and packaging technologies.

·         Good understanding of packaging machinery, filling equipment, and manufacturing constraints.

·         Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple projects in a cross-functional environment.

·         Good command of spoken and written English.

Key Responsibilities

·         Develop and implement new packaging solutions for New Product Development (NPD), covering primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging to meet product quality, food safety, manufacturing, logistics, and customer requirements.

·         Select appropriate packaging materials (plastic, paper, glass, metal, and other packaging substrates) based on product requirements, manufacturing processes, shelf-life requirements, barrier properties, cost, sustainability, food safety, and regulatory compliance.

·         Plan and conduct laboratory and production trials to evaluate packaging performance, product-package compatibility, seal integrity, transportation durability, shelf-life performance, and compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

·         Drive packaging cost optimization through material selection, packaging design improvements, standardization, and alternative packaging solutions without compromising product quality or performance.

·         Develop, validate, and maintain pallet patterns, carton stacking configurations, and load stability to ensure product protection, transportation safety, warehouse efficiency, and compliance with customer requirements.

·         Develop and maintain packaging specifications and technical documentation for repack products, ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements.

·         Develop and maintain the Packaging Material Database, including approved packaging materials, Packaging BOM, supplier information, technical data, and packaging master data to ensure accurate, up-to-date, and standardized packaging information.

·         Provide technical support to internal stakeholders, customers, and packaging suppliers regarding packaging performance, specifications, material selection, and continuous improvement initiatives.

·         Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with suppliers and equipment vendors on specification setup, and scale-up adjustments.

·         Others according to the assignment from RD Manager and/or R&D Director