R&D Packaging Manager (Food Processing)

Position Summary:

R&D Packaging Manager (Food Processing) will lead Packaging R&D across Asia Ingredients Group (AIG), from development and technical qualification to factory transfer and continuous improvement.

Deliver reliable, safe and cost-effective packaging; build common standards and support commercialization, plant performance and sustainability across subsidiaries.

Key Responsibilities:

Department: Research & Development

Reporting to: Head of R&D

1. Group Packaging Strategy & Innovation

• Build a Group packaging roadmap aligned with innovation priorities, product needs and factory capabilities.

• Prioritize cross-company projects, standardization and technical feasibility for new products and investments.

2. Packaging Design & Development

• Lead development and improvement of primary, secondary and transport packaging across AIG product categories.

• Translate product, customer and logistics needs into packaging designs, specifications and samples with Product R&D and Sales.

3. Qualification, Scale-up & Commercialization

• Plan qualification of packaging performance, product compatibility, line suitability and distribution robustness.

• Lead supplier and factory trials, technical readiness and handover; support first commercial runs with Operations, Engineering and QA.

4. Manufacturing Support & Reliability

• Support plants in resolving packaging defects, filling/sealing issues, transport damage and packaging-related line losses.

• Drive root-cause analysis, corrective actions and transfer of proven solutions between subsidiaries.

5. Cost, Productivity & Sustainability

• Optimize materials and formats to improve cost, material usage and efficiency without compromising product protection.

• Validate business benefits with Procurement and Finance; assess practical sustainable packaging alternatives.

6. Group Standards, Compliance & Change Control

• Establish common specifications, test methods, qualification requirements and technical change-control practices.

• Provide packaging technical evidence for food-contact, customer and market requirements; coordinate approvals with QA/Regulatory.

7. Suppliers & Technology Development

• Assess and qualify packaging suppliers, alternative materials and technical partners with Procurement and plants.

• Monitor technologies and support new-line, equipment and dual-source projects through technical reviews and trials.

8. Team Leadership & Project Governance

• Lead Packaging R&D personnel and cross-plant technical collaboration; develop team capabilities and shared standards.

• Manage priorities, milestones, budgets and risks; report project delivery and improvements to the Head of Group R&D.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Packaging Engineering, Materials/Polymer Science, Chemical/Food Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 8+ years in packaging R&D, packaging engineering or development, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven delivery of packaging design, technical testing, factory trials, scale-up and commercial transfer.
• Experience with food, beverage or ingredient packaging, plant troubleshooting and packaging suppliers; multi-site exposure preferred.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, converting, filling/sealing, food-contact requirements, transport performance and validation.
• Able to develop technical specifications, assess risks, lead root-cause analysis and manage packaging changes.
• People and project leadership; cross-functional influencing; supplier collaboration; data-driven problem solving; effective technical English.