Packaging Design Manager

Here at Mayborn Group we have an exciting opportunity for a Packaging Design Manager to join our team on a permanent basis!

As the Packaging Design Manager, you will be responsible for the creation of all TT structural packaging design, thinking consumer first, ensuring our packaging and unboxing experience is fit for purpose, within the guidelines, channel and cost requirements.

You will lead packaging design for all NPD and EPD projects, working with key stakeholders to ensure that packaging solutions are developed with a wholistic approach. Provide technical information when required, including: packaging concepts, mock-ups, die lines/technical drawings, specifications and packing instructions.

You will also present your work to a number of key internal stakeholders, so strong presentation and negotiating skills are essential for this role.

So, if you’ve just fallen off your chair because this is right up your street and you’re up for the challenge of all things babies and packaging design, then read on and get in touch!

What you will be doing:

• Lead packaging innovation as a key driver to also influence product innovation. Ensure that packaging is part of the product design process and appropriately costed and benchmarked alongside our competition.
• Work with brief owners to produce packaging solutions, specifications and die lines for the required project or product. Share proposed designs with factory teams for production trials and reviews.
• Liaise with stakeholders throughout the NPD process, ensuring that packaging is fit-for-use, meeting all requirements before handover to base business - including ease of assembly, transit, merchandising and overall quality.
• Drive the innovation agenda for packaging. Conduct regular store checks and research into new ideas for packaging execution that will enhance TT products and delight consumers.
• Build connections and develop opportunities to work closely with packaging suppliers and factories, ensure that specifications and packaging requirements are clearly defined and workable.
• Support Mayborns’ sustainability initiatives, ensuring that packaging is designed, sourced and produced with sustainability being a key consideration.
• When required, collaborate with Quality team to address and resolve any packaging quality-related considerations pre-launch.
• Collaborate with Project and Procurement teams as well as packaging suppliers, to identify or support potential opportunities for packaging-related cost savings/value engineering.
• Chair regular packaging design reviews with the wider team – review feedback, complete exploratory design work and providing costings for any new proposals.
• Prepare presentations and technical summaries for internal reviews as appropriate.

What skills and experiences you’ll need to ace this job:

• Structural packaging experience essential, working with primary, secondary and tertiary pack types.
• Understanding of packaging materials and their properties, including: corrugate and carton board, flexible plastics and other well-known packaging materials and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with packaging materials and test methodologies (e.g. transit trials).
• Cost management and/or savings experience with product or packaging development.
• Proven track record of delivering packaging solutions for FMCG or similar products.
• Minimum 5 years’ design and product development experience.
• Educated to degree level in relevant discipline, product or packaging design.
• Product/packaging development, use of design software (3D CAD modelling - Solidworks).
• Use of additional design software for visualisation (Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator etc.)
• Able to bring ideas to life, sketching.
• Creative thinker.
• Problem solver.
• Willing and able to receive and decipher feedback.
• Able to demonstrate a sound commercial understanding and a successful track record of launching consumer products and brands.
• Project management experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Brilliant negotiation and influencing skills.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Wellness programme
• Work from home

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

• Yearly bonus

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Newcastle upon Tyne: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Newcastle upon Tyne