Senior Packaging Engineer

Job Description:

Senior Packaging Engineer
Location: Birstall - Hybrid
Job Type: Permanent
Industry: R&D, Packaging Development, Innovation

Join Mars Petcare and play a pivotal role in delivering the next generation of packaging for our Global Pet Nutrition business. As a Senior Packaging Engineer, you will lead the packaging workstream for complex global innovation projects, creating cutting-edge packaging solutions that delight consumers, drive business growth, and support our sustainability ambitions. Working across global and regional teams, you will combine technical expertise, creativity, and collaboration to bring innovative packaging concepts from idea through to technical readiness and global deployment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead packaging development for global innovation and Science & Technology projects, taking concepts from ideation through to technical readiness, commercialisation, and regional handover.

• Develop and optimise packaging materials, formats, and machinery solutions, ensuring performance, quality, consumer appeal, and operational efficiency.

• Act as the packaging workstream leader, collaborating closely with Marketing, R&D, Engineering, Supply, Commercial teams and external partners to deliver successful innovation projects.

• Drive packaging design excellence by developing global packaging design briefs, managing agency relationships, and ensuring a consumer-centric approach throughout the development process.

• Champion sustainable packaging innovations, identifying and developing future materials that are designed for circularity, reduce environmental impact, and meet evolving legislative requirements.

• Maintain expertise in emerging packaging technologies, materials and industry trends, leveraging external networks and industry partnerships to bring innovation into Mars.

• Build capability across the wider packaging community through mentoring, coaching, training, and participation in global packaging initiatives and strategy programmes.

What we're looking for:

• Degree qualified in Packaging, Engineering, Product Design, Science, or a related technical discipline.

• Strong experience in packaging development, packaging engineering, or a closely related technical field.

• Expert knowledge of packaging materials, with experience in sustainable packaging solutions and flexible packaging preferred.

• Understanding of product and packaging interactions, including barrier properties, migration, testing methodologies, and packaging performance evaluation.

• Experience working with filling technologies, material and machinery interactions, and packaging optimisation would be advantageous.

• Strong project leadership skills with the ability to manage complex projects, budgets, timelines, risks, and multiple stakeholders.

• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and networking skills, with experience working effectively in cross-functional and global teams.

• Knowledge of packaging design, consumer testing methodologies, printing technologies, and packaging quality management processes would be beneficial.

• A passion for innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement, with the ability to thrive in an environment of ambiguity and change.

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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