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.