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Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats is an entrepreneurial arms-length business focused on extending the Mars brands into new categories beyond confectionery through external partners (suppliers and distributors). The business currently operates in a number of categories: Milk Drinks, Hot Chocolate, Cakes & Bakes, Desserts, Chocolate Spreads, Cake Mixes, Free From and Quick Serve Restaurants across the UK and Europe.

A successful candidate will thrive in working in a dynamic, fast-paced and complex environment in a cross-functional team. They will be connected to the delivery of the business results, gaining business acumen, external perspective and experiencing an agile environment.

The role will lead the packaging capability for the Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats unit.

The Senior Packaging Engineer role is an important leadership role within the R&D Drinks and Treats organization – reporting directly to the RD head role for the division. You will be leading package development activities and will be accountable for the execution of the allocated projects within the Europe R&D. The purpose of the job is to deliver new packaging design and development projects, from concept through to implementation in our EM network and beyond. In addition, you will be responsible for projects aimed at improving the design and performance of our existing packaging portfolio and ensuring that opportunities to optimize costs are identified and realized.

In this role you will use your advanced technical knowledge and experience to develop and implement new packaging within a specified area of the portfolio and coach and mentor others as part of this in a vast network of EMs.

FTC Contract till the end of 2027

Location: Slough, UK

Salary: £57,000 - £70,000 (based on the knowledge & qualifications), annual bonus, benefits

Work arrangement: hybrid

What are we looking for?

Bachelor's or equivalent in Food Science/Chemical/Biology, or related subject area.

Degree level qualification in a relevant technical discipline (Packaging, Engineering sciences, etc); OR relevant prior technical experience; Packaging diploma/degree desirable but not essential

Demonstrated knowledge of packaging materials, including flexibles, rigid plastic, cartons, and cases, including machine interaction

Understanding of packaging sciences, packaging development, packaging legislation, food processing, and production.

Good command of the English

At least 5 years of demonstrable Experience in leading and managing projects in an FMCG environment, demonstrating project management skills including risk management, prioritization, and managing a diverse group of stakeholders both in demand and supply

Experience in working with outside vendors to deliver project requirements

Collaboration skills with different cultures

Experience working in Food innovation

Experience working within Flexible teams, Agile ways of working, and Design Thinking approaches

What will be your key responsibilities?

Leads high-profile and complex packaging activities and is accountable for the execution of the allocated programs to bring projects through to commercialisation, shaping and inputting their own initiative

Owns the technical packaging design and development for a variety of projects covering all product portfolio complexity of the Drinks and Treats division.

Creating packaging prototypes and ensuring successful line trials at co-packer and co-manufacturing sites, ensuring the relevant documentation is produced and results are accurately recorded

Creating packaging designs and specifications that deliver the desirable KQA’s via robust risk management and the delivery of shopper, customer and supply chain requirements

Working with cross-functional teams to deliver Desirable, Viable, Feasible and Sustainable innovation, leading projects of different levels of complexity at the same time

Working with Regional and Global R&D teams to develop and ensure the effective technical delivery of activities and projects

Working with the Global or Regional Supply teams to develop and deliver existing or new technology to deliver Innovation and Value Leadership

Proactively manages Intellectual Property risks & opportunities

Is a technical expert and contacts Regionally or Globally for packaging, facilitating pack learnings across brands/markets

Works with the greater packaging development teams to further develop packaging standards in close cooperation with Q&FS and Suppliers

Leading team activities across engagement and capability building, playing a strong coaching and mentoring role within the team

What can you expect from Mars?

Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.

Join a purpose-driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.

Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or who are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here

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