Little Freddie Group Packaging Technologist

About Little Freddie:

At Little Freddie we believe our children deserve better. From the quality of their food to the future of the planet, everything we do, we do to give them the best in life.

Little Freddie is an award-winning organic baby food brand specialising in responsibly sourced, delicious and nutritious ingredients. Little Freddie is the UK’s fastest-growing baby food brand with presence in over 15 markets globally & offices in London, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China.

At Little Freddie we go above and beyond to provide the highest quality food so parents can rest assured they are getting nothing but the best tasting, most nutritious food for their babies.

We are ambitious, fast-paced and set high packaging expectations. Our growing portfolio touches multiple packaging types from glass to pouch to board.

Job Purpose:

Our Group NPD Packaging Specialist has responsibility for NPD and EPD packaging deliverables across our multiple markets and international expansion plans. Ensure all packaging projects meet brand vision, specifications, and quality in a timely manner, and continue to improve on packaging processes for the business via a combination of relationships with packaging suppliers, our co-manufacturing partners and cross functional teams.

Principal Accountabilities & Objectives

• Implement and drive the NPD packaging development process to meet business needs, bridging communication across cross-function teams and with our supply partners.
• Create NPD and EPD briefs that align with packaging portfolio specifications, attend packaging and production trials, and provide the technical expertise
• Manage packaging projects and track progress against milestones through to launch. Ensure development deadlines are met, mitigating packaging risks on the way.
• Work closely with suppliers to identify and implement packaging improvements, reinvigorating the range – impact on shelf and in-store, emotive and functional benefits, quality, efficiency, and cost.
• Manage the NPD Packaging budget such as tooling and trial costs across.
• Provide packaging print and production expertise, support the design to print process whilst attending first print productions to ensure achieving high print standards at all time
• Keep informed of the latest packaging innovation, trends, materials, and technologies. Use knowledge to push the boundaries and apply to business opportunities ensuring we are fit for future and lead breakthrough packaging and print activities.
• Strong understanding of guidelines and taxes such as OPRL and PRN, manage and build packaging data for sustainability and packaging tax submissions.
• Build knowledge as a consult in technical packaging challenges, packaging procurement cost initiatives or new supplier assessments. Support effective packaging trials and provide recommendations.

Skills / Knowledge / Qualifications

• A strong understanding of packaging development and manufacturing processes, and experiences in print desired.
• Minimum 2 years of work experience in packaging development, preferably within FMCG
• Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop will be highly considerable
• Extensive knowledge of packaging development across all/most media i.e. board, flexible film, adhesive labels, fluted board etc.
• Ability to react and adapt in a fast-moving environment with a high degree of change & pace
• Strong and effective resource and stakeholder management, ability to explain technical details to non-technical colleagues.
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills.
• Forward thinking & innovative, an independent self-starter who can both challenge and deliver.
• Hold a full UK driving license and have the confidence to travel abroad

What we offer:

• Competitive salary
• Annual leave (25 days on top of bank holidays)
• Discretionary performance bonus
• Health insurance with Vitality
• Pension matching up to 5%, option to contribute via salary sacrifice
• Flexible work from home / work from office policy
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced parental leave
• Little Freddie product for you, friends and family

Hiring Process

Initial call to discuss your motivations and whether this role is for you (30mins).

Skills interview to discuss your approach to certain situations and value interviews to discuss what you might bring to the role, how you might embody our values and your questions.

Apply

Please submit your CV along with a covering note of no more than 100 words on why you are a good fit to rob.bugler@littlefreddie.com. Please write ‘Group Packaging Technologist’ in the subject line.

At Little Freddie, we do not discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, age, race, colour, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status or any other status or class protected by applicable law. We apply this policy and outlook when it comes to recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, compensation, promotions and development, benefits and all other terms and conditions as applicable.