Job Advert Summary

Clover is looking for a Research and Development Specialist: Packaging to manage all packaging-related topics such as Development & Design, Innovation, Optimisation, Compliance, and Technical support. This position is based at Clover Head Office in Roodepoort.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
Business English: Fluent
Code 08 Driver's License
Good knowledge of packaging raw materials, technologies, and functionality
Knowledge of relevant printing processes
Understanding of packaging principles & optimisation strategies
Project Management experience
Travel off-site/Overnight Stay
Computer Literacy (Intermediate)
Working with Senior Management

Duties and Responsibilities

Design & Development of Packaging Material

Propose clear packaging recommendations in line with marketing briefs, considering technical feasibility, value analysis, risks, cost, accessibility, timing, food safety, etc.
Provide the necessary drawings, dummies, workmaps, and all relevant specification requirements.
Be the technical packaging expert & support to all relevant departments (Marketing, Procurement, Production, Quality, Logistics).
Coordinate and supervise packaging material trials and manage all the packaging aspects of projects.
Define the key criteria of packaging quality and the means to control.
Drive a zero waste & environment-friendly culture.
Participate in shelf life predictive modelling, relevant shelf life testing, and/or consumer tests.
Stay abreast of local & international packaging launches & trends and communicate opportunities within the Business.
Establish frequent strategic innovation sessions with Marketing to share local and global innovations, ideas, and trends.
Build strong networks with key packaging suppliers to obtain information on innovation, new technology, and application.
Ensure the development of packaging in line with the Marketing brief and company's business plans, cost targets, and delivering on defined consumer expectations.
Build strong cross-functional relationships with Marketing, Procurement, Production, NBD, Quality, and other relevant internal functions.

Liaise with Packaging Material Suppliers

Investigate & develop knowledge on new pack materials & ingredients, functionalities, technologies, printing processes, packaging equipment, innovation, and saving opportunities.
Build efficient and professional relationships with suppliers to strengthen technical networks.
Co-ordinate communications amongst suppliers, procurement, production, and quality teams.
Mitigate risk for Clover by evaluating & auditing potential new and/or alternative suppliers.
Assist with supplier quality audits and incident investigations.
Respond to packaging quality issues and work cross-functionally with both Supply Chain & Packaging Suppliers to resolve.
Ensure regulatory adherence and compliance.

Ensure Compliance with the Operational Requirements of the Factory

Create packaging item codes, load, and maintain the BOM's.
Draft, issue, maintain, and control packaging material specifications, pallet configurations, and colour standards.
Ensure pack material designs & quality aspects comply with operational requirements and constraints of the factories.
As the packaging technical support, assist and even lead the process of fault finding (including corrective actions), in co-operation with Production, Procurement, Logistics, Quality, and PIT teams, for existing packaging with continuous specification deviations.
Participate with Engineering and Production in setting up and commissioning of new packaging lines/equipment.

Support & Implement Continuous Improvements/Optimisations of Current Packaging & Processes

Continuously evaluate & improve the design & quality standards of the product ranges, through local and international benchmarking.
Take part in technical projects including technical assistance, sourcing, quality improvements, compliance, and productivity cost savings. Also managing timelines, uncovering roadblocks, defining critical paths, and identifying resource constraints.
Continuously search for and identify new fields of cost saving and/or other optimisation or packaging efficiency improvements.
Evaluate, control, and implement new packaging optimisations.
Provide first line support to external factories by acting as the resource for packaging knowledge & expertise to eliminate the root cause of assistance requests.
Undertake long-term projects with other departments, e.g. reducing waste by improving efficiency.

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