Position Snapshot 

Nestlé Product Technology Centre – Confectionery (NPTC) 

Packaging Lead   

York, North Yorkshire 

Competitive salary plus a range of excellent benefits including car allowance and potential bonus. 

Championing diversity and inclusion is so important to us; when we embrace different perspectives and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our business.   

At Nestlé we are proud to support and provide equality of opportunity that supports employees to effectively blend their work life and commitments through hybrid and flexible working arrangements, so speak to us to understand what this could look like for you.  

Position Summary 

We are seeking a highly skilled Packaging Lead to join our team at the Nestle Product Technology Centre, responsible for spearheading the development and implementation of cutting-edge packaging technologies and concepts. This role will play a crucial part in driving profitable growth within our product category, while ensuring alignment with our global, zone, and market business plans. Additionally, the Packaging Lead will provide expert support and training to our operating companies, as well as develop a strategic vision for packaging and cultivate talent within the business. 

A little bit about us 

Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company, operating in 187 countries worldwide. Part of Nestlé’s global network of research centres across the world, our NPTC Confectionery York site focuses on developing and delivering excellence in confectionery innovation worldwide. Our aim is to lead the way in developing sustainable and consumer-centric packaging innovation for our global confectionery brands, including our iconic Kitkat brand. It’s a place where creativity, science and technology turn innovation ideas into exceptional industrialised products consumers will love. 

A day in the life of a Packaging Lead 

As a Packaging Lead at the Nestle Product Technology Centre, your day will be filled with exciting challenges and opportunities to showcase your innovation, technology and people leadership. You will be the key contact for the business for Confectionery Packaging R&D, leading and inspiring a multi-functional team to develop and execute the packaging strategy. This strategy will be integrated into the Science and Technology Roadmaps and aligned with the innovation pipeline for the business.  

Leading teams directly and indirectly will be a crucial aspect of your role and you will lead and develop a high performing team of packaging scientists. Leading project managers will also be a crucial aspect of your role and will ensure the timely, high-quality, and cost-effective delivery of projects. You will have the direct influence of the prioritisation of projects within the portfolio and allocate resources based on value-creation, impact, and alignment with the global strategy. 

People and know-how development will also be a significant focus, as you will lead and develop a multi-functional team of specialists, experts, project managers and engineers to meet the needs of the business.  

You will build the capability of the broader population through training and foster a culture of networking and collaboration within the team and with relevant stakeholders. Establishing and maintaining core competencies in the appropriate areas of packaging will be essential. 

As the representative and key contact for the dedicated business for packaging, you will coordinate the cross-functional organization between the Nestle Product Technology Centre and Nestle Development Centre to ensure alignment between packaging teams and business units on packaging strategy, project portfolio management, and innovation and research.

Your leadership will be instrumental in achieving the mission and packaging strategy, as well as maintaining effective communication, resource coordination, and activity planning with R&D centres, packaging communities, and packaging platforms in collaboration with CT and CO units. 

As the Packaging Lead you will be a key member of the Nestle Product Technology Centre Senior Leadership Team, shaping and driving the organisation and its culture while playing a fundamental role in the overall strategy along with your peers on the Senior Leadership Team.  

Overall, your role as a Packaging Lead will be dynamic and impactful, driving innovation, collaboration, and strategic alignment to deliver exceptional packaging solutions that meet the needs of our consumers and contribute to the success of the business. 

What will make you successful? 

To be successful as a Packaging Lead, you will need a combination of relevant education and operational experience. A strong educational background in packaging development and project management will provide you with the necessary foundation to excel in this role. Additionally, extensive line management experience within an operational or research and development setting, specifically in the packaging or engineering field, will be crucial. This experience will enable you to effectively lead and manage teams, navigate the complexities of the packaging industry, and drive successful outcomes. A deep understanding of the intricacies and challenges of packaging will also contribute to your success in this role, allowing you to make informed decisions and implement innovative solutions. 

Further requirements include:  

• Graduate qualification in Packaging or Printing Technology, Mechanical, Industrial or Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or equivalent. 
• Must be passionate about people, consumers, packaging, products and community and display a caring attitude 
• Proven ability to deliver projects involving cross functional teams 
• Must be able to create a climate for innovation, renovation and knowledge sharing 
• Willingness and ability to lead change 
• Ability to communicate effectively and openly 

What you need to know 

 
What can we offer in return? Great benefits you’d expect from a business the size of Nestlé – in the shape of a competitive salary and benefits package, bonus scheme, flexible working scheme, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays plus flex leave, pension scheme and a real focus on personal development and growth. 

Job advert closing date Friday 17/01/2025.  

We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please don’t delay in submitting your application. 

At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect. When we embrace diversity and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our business. People of all gender identities, ethnically diverse individuals, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBT+ community are strongly encouraged to apply. If there is anything we can do to accommodate you to participate fully in the application process, please let us know. We take pride in championing inclusion and diversity, our people make up a number of Colleague Networks who represent different experiences and communities who hold us accountable in creating a sense of belonging for all, and our values create the conditions for us to respect the unique contribution you bring. Find out more about our Colleague Networks here: Diversity, equity and inclusion | Nestlé (nestle.co.uk) 

We are committed to equal opportunity for all and we may collect relevant data for monitoring purposes during our candidate registration process. Be yourself, everyone else is taken!