Location: Hain UK
Department: R&D

Shape the Future of Sustainable Packaging

Are you passionate about packaging innovation, sustainability, and delivering high-quality consumer products? At Hain UK, we're looking for an experienced Senior Packaging Manager to lead our packaging strategy and play a pivotal role in driving innovation across our portfolio.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence the future of sustainable packaging while working across multiple brands, collaborating with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and manufacturing partners to deliver market-leading packaging solutions.

What You'll Be Doing

As our Senior Packaging Manager, you'll be responsible for leading the development, quality, and compliance of Hain UK's packaging portfolio while delivering our long-term packaging strategy.

Your responsibilities will include:

Packaging Strategy & Innovation

• Lead the delivery of packaging projects aligned with our sustainability strategy and reduction targets.
• Drive innovation through new materials, technologies, and packaging formats.
• Develop commercially viable packaging solutions that meet consumer, customer, and business needs.
• Support innovation and productivity pipelines from concept through to launch.

Quality, Compliance & Technical Excellence

• Ensure all packaging complies with UK and European food contact and safety legislation.
• Lead reporting for retailer and industry requirements, including WRAP UK Plastic Pact and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
• Drive continuous quality improvement through packaging validation, shelf-life assessment, and sensory evaluation.
• Investigate packaging-related quality issues and implement robust corrective actions.

Systems & Process Leadership

• Manage packaging specification systems, ensuring data accuracy and accessibility.
• Lead packaging change control and non-conformance processes.
• Own the packaging brief process through to first production and successful launch.
• Maintain oversight of packaging standards across the international business.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build strong partnerships with suppliers and co-manufacturers through KPI management and audit programmes.
• Work closely with Product Development, Process, Technical and Operations teams to deliver successful product launches.
• Champion best practice packaging processes across the organisation.

Leadership

• Coach and develop a Packaging Technologist through their apprenticeship programme.
• Support the development of the wider R&D team in line with the Hain UK strategy.
• Act as a passionate ambassador for Hain's values with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop future automation opportunities and equipment innovation plans.

What Success Looks Like

You'll make a measurable impact by:

• Delivering successful packaging launches right first time.
• Reducing packaging-related customer complaints.
• Improving supplier performance through effective KPI management.
• Maintaining accurate, compliant packaging specifications.
• Delivering cost-saving initiatives through packaging optimisation and value engineering.
• Successfully delivering packaging innovation projects on time.

What We're Looking For

Qualifications

• Degree in Packaging Technology, Food Science, Materials Science, Product Design, or a related discipline.
• Professional membership with the Institute of Packaging (IOP) or IOM3 is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of UK and EU packaging legislation, food contact materials, EPR and Plastic Tax regulations.

Experience

• Significant experience (typically 5+ years) within packaging in the FMCG food or beverage industry.
• Proven success delivering sustainable packaging and packaging reduction projects.
• Experience managing packaging suppliers and co-manufacturers.
• Knowledge of specification management systems such as SAP, Oracle or packaging PLM software.
• Experience leading projects from concept through factory trials to successful retail launch.
• Strong project management experience.

Skills You'll Bring

• Excellent leadership and coaching abilities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder management.
• Ability to influence at all levels of the business.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Flexible, adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.

Why Join Hain UK?

At Hain UK, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of sustainable packaging while working with iconic brands and a collaborative, innovative team. We are committed to creating products that are better for people and better for the planet, and we're looking for talented people who share that vision.

If you're ready to lead packaging innovation, drive sustainability, and make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.