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Packaging Technologist

Clicks Group Limited • Other • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa • $200 - $300 / year • 16h ago

Job category: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain

Location: Cape Town

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

Introduction

Responsible for all Private Label packaging developments by providing support to the Private Label NPD Buyers and Category Buyers. Constantly strive to achieve quality packaging at an acceptable cost whilst considering the technical, commercial, legal and environmental aspects of packaging materials.

Job Objectives:

To support the design and development of structural (primary, secondary and tertiary) packaging initiatives for all PL categories in Clicks across Health, Home, Confectionary and Beauty.
To interface with product suppliers, brand development, product developers, packaging suppliers and printers in order to drive consumer focused innovative and optimized packaging solutions.
To work with Technologists and NPD developers and support them on new technologies and methods on Category/Brand packaging projects.
To work on multiple projects simultaneously.
To clearly communicate and negotiate with Clicks product and packaging suppliers to enable project progression in the most time efficient manner.
Monitor, assess and approve all digital and hard copy print proofs, printing, production and technical testing on all PL packaging to ensure compliance with superior quality standards.
Maintain and continuously update packaging specifications to ensure compliance with superior quality standards.
Ensuring the accredited, suitable packaging suppliers are being used for the relevant product (e.g. HACCP accredited for food contact packaging & MCC accredited for medicinal packaging). The score carding of packaging suppliers based on expertise, accreditations and abilities.
Maintain a database of packaging suppliers and services to utilize the most preferred suppliers and to audit them annually and to ensure that manufacturers utilize the Clicks preferred packaging suppliers.
Ensure all company policies, consumer legislation, packaging (labelling) legislation, waste & environmental legislation is adhered to.
Constantly communicate with the NPD buyers and Category buyers with regards to progress and issues relating to packaging development and to ensure that new pack designs are technically viable.
Attend all briefing and development sessions with the NPD buyers and Category buyer's to ensure that packaging is of a consistent standard as required.
Source and price negotiate new packaging for new product developments.
Drive sustainability and re-engineering of packaging within all categories - responsible for reduction in weight of packaging within PL and account for the cost saving on an annual basis.
Examine alternative packaging formats to deliver innovation and cost reductions, either in the form of constructional packaging or new technological advancements in materials, ink and, or printing techniques.
Resolving packaging issues on existing and new products.
Sourcing of alternative local & international suppliers where costs, lead times and quality can be improved. Auditing packaging manufactures where the commercial value of the range is high.
Project management of the packaging development for Clicks Private Label.
Manage the relationship between the business and its artwork suppliers, packaging suppliers, including the creation of packaging artwork to agreed technical specifications, release of artworks to printers and commercial matters.
Implement a packaging strategy in line with an existing PL label strategy.
Update knowledge through trade press, trade shows and network of packaging manufacturers and to keep abreast of technical developments within the packaging market, competitors by attending trade shows and meeting with suppliers and manufacturers.

Knowledge:

A thorough knowledge of all packaging materials, processes & formats.
Understanding and implementation of the labelling laws & the CPA.
In-depth understanding of design & DTP processes.
Understanding and experience of identifying and the implementation of cost saving projects.
In-depth knowledge of packaging design processes.
Understanding of global & BRC standards.
Understanding of printing & manufacturing environment.
Knowledge of GS1 standards.

Skills:

Excellent planning and organizational skills.
Ability to work on multiple projects at once.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Influencing ability.
Innovative and problem solving ability.
Quality and delivery orientation.
Creating and Innovating.
Planning and Organizing.
Deciding and Initiating Action.
Delivering Results and Meeting Customer Expectations.

Experience:

At least 4 - 5 years practical packaging development experience in a retail, packaging manufacturing or FMCG environment with technical knowhow and understanding of the different printing processes on various substrates from plastic, glass, board to flexible packaging.