Packaging Technology Lead

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Join us as our Packaging Technology Lead and play a key role in shaping innovative, sustainable packaging solutions across Asia. You will lead packaging development from concept to commercialization, ensuring solutions meet consumer, business, regulatory, cost, and supply chain requirements. Working closely with cross-functional teams including R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, Quality, and regional manufacturing, you will drive new product launches, optimize existing packaging, and champion continuous improvement to deliver high-quality, fit-for-purpose packaging across diverse markets.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Packaging Development & Innovation

• Lead the design, development, qualification, and commercialization of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions to support successful new product launches across Asia.
• Drive packaging innovation by identifying new materials, technologies, and formats that enhance product performance, consumer experience, and business growth.
• Manage packaging development plans, change requests, approvals, and technical documentation, ensuring timely implementation and regional site support.
• Provide technical expertise to resolve packaging-related quality and manufacturing challenges while driving continuous improvement and optimization initiatives.

Sustainability& Compliance

• Lead regional sustainability initiatives by improving recyclability, reducing material usage and plastic consumption, and supporting corporate ESG commitments.
• Ensure packaging solutions comply with food safety, labelling, environmental, and packaging regulations across Asia, maintaining the required documentation for commercialization.
• Partner with Regulatory Affairs and Quality teams to ensure packaging materials meet all safety, compliance, and quality requirements.

Supplier& Stakeholder Management

• Build and manage strong relationships with regional packaging suppliers and external partners to support innovation, quality, and supply continuity.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, Quality, Regulatory, and Manufacturing teams to deliver fit-for-purpose packaging solutions.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and best practice sharing to regional packaging teams across Asia.

Health, Safety & Wellbeing

• Promote a strong safety culture by ensuring packaging solutions support safe manufacturing, handling, transportation, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure packaging designs consider operator safety, production line efficiency, and compliance with regional health and safety standards.

Cost Optimisation & Value Engineering

• Identify and deliver cost-saving opportunities through value engineering, material optimization, and packaging standardization.
• Partner with Procurement and suppliers to develop cost-effective packaging solutions while maintaining product quality, functionality, and supply chain performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance packaging efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize overall packaging performance.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 8-12+ years of packaging development experience within the FMCG, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, or related industries.
• Strong expertise in packaging materials, including plastics, paper, metal, and glass, with a solid understanding of packaging manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Proven experience leading packaging development projects, from concept through commercialization, across multiple Asian markets.
• Strong knowledge of regional packaging regulations, food contact compliance, labelling requirements, and environmental legislation.
• Experience driving packaging sustainability initiatives, including recyclability, material optimization, and circular economy principles.
• Familiarity with packaging specification management systems, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools, and digital packaging technologies.
• Knowledge of emerging packaging trends and technologies, including smart packaging and bio-based materials.
• Experience working in regional or global, cross-functional environments, collaborating with R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, Quality, and Manufacturing teams.
• Understanding of Monozukuri principles or equivalent continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong project management, stakeholder management, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.