R&D Packaging Specialist

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Develop and improve packaging materials for finished food products, with the Design team to finalize packaging artwork, and labeling based on final product specs.
• Design packaging that ensures product protection, shelf-life stability, and compliance with food safety standards.
• Lead packaging innovation projects to improve functionality, reduce cost, and support sustainability initiatives.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Design to align packaging with brand guidelines and consumer preferences.
• Ensure all visual elements (branding, claims, nutritional info, expiry date placement, etc.) comply with local regulations and brand guidelines.
• Validate all recipes, ingredients, and portion sizes after R&D trials to ensure they match the approved product concept.
• Ensure all nutritional, allergen, and ingredient details are accurately captured for labeling and documentation.
• Review packaging prototypes and approve final samples before mass production.

Process & Quality Integration

• Work closely with the Quality team to ensure packaging materials meet food safety, hygiene, and regulatory standards.
• Support Manufacturing in resolving packaging-related technical issues and driving continuous improvement.
• Define packaging specifications, testing protocols, and validation criteria for new developments.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Serve as the main liaison between Design, R&D, Production, and Procurement during the finalization phase.
• Support pilots run and provide feedback on recipe performance, packaging fit, and visual presentation.
• Prepare technical documentation, drawings, and packaging standards for all SKUs.
• Support procurement with finalized specifications for packaging materials and ingredients.

Documentation & Handover

• Prepare the Final Product File, including recipe, process flow, packaging details, nutritional info, and approved artwork.
• Maintain version control for all product iterations and ensure traceability.
• Support the handover to Operations and Marketing for product launch readiness.

Required Education, Knowledge, and Skills

• +5 years of experience in food product development, packaging finalization, or design-to-manufacture coordination
• Strong understanding of food production processes, recipe standardization, and packaging materials.
• Familiarity with artwork approval, nutritional labeling, and regulatory requirements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and basic design review tools (e.g., Illustrator, PDF markups).
• Excellent communication, organization, and coordination skills