Solent Group

Solent Group Christchurch, United Kingdom Technical Hybrid Warning! Vacancy not published Company Description Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis - we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category. Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK. Position POSITION: Packaging Development Manager DIVISION/DEPT: Technical Department REPORT TO: Senior Technical Manager LOCATION: Hybrid TRAVEL: Travel may be required to manufacturing sites in UK/EU and Far East The successful candidate will have overall responsibility for the developing and optimizing packaging solutions that protect products, comply with regulations, and meet consumer expectations, either by Solent's retail partners or by Solent brands; ensuring all key technical elements of a project are diligently completed and communicated on time. The role will also involve travel to various locations around the world to attend factory trials, factory gap analysis, pre-production, and product launches and to meet with customers. Requirements Key Responsibilities: Designing and Testing Packaging: Collaborate with designers, suppliers and production developers to create packaging that ensures product safety and quality, but also meets our sustainable needs. This involves producing sample packaging to test different materials and designs. Ensuring Compliance and Quality: Verify that packaging meets quality standards and complies with legal and environmental regulations. write technical reports and maintaining documentation related to packaging specifications and compliance. Researching and drive Sustainable Solutions: Investigate ways to make packaging more environmentally friendly by reducing material usage, promoting recyclability or re-use, and minimizing waste and costs attached to it. Collaborating Across Departments: Working closely with various teams such as product development, quality control, marketing, Supply chain and buying is essential to ensure that packaging meets customer needs and aligns with the company's objectives. Managing Packaging Projects: Oversee the development and implementation of packaging projects across the group, ensuring that objectives are met within set timelines and budgets. This involves sourcing and sampling new packaging options or improving existing packaging to meet customer needs and drive sustainable solutions. Work collaboratively with technical teams in UK and Asia to ensure all technical aspects of packaging are completed in a timely manner, for example, production approval, accurate information for specifications & compliance. Packaging waste management and reporting, ensuring all necessary packaging information is collated accurately and on time. Pro active management to reduce our packaging waste charge (EPR) or EUDR by driving innovative and sustainable solutions for both Solent and its customers. Work closely with the internal product and commercial teams to ensure all packaging requirements are applied during the NPD process and new launches. Travel to various locations attending printers initial visits, development trials and pre production approvals. Work with the quality team to investigate, report and reduce customer complaints and non conformances. Attend conferences, exhibitions, and trade shows to keep on top of innovations, legislation and opportunities with new materials, production techniques or packaging solutions. Prioritise and champion Solent's Policies on Sustainability, Innovation and Ethical manufacturing. Global Harmonization Initiatives: Active participation in global harmonization initiatives to create consistent standards and facilitate international trade. Collaboration with international regulatory bodies to align packaging regulations across regions. About You: Min of 3-5 years of packaging development and delivery to market. Retail or retail supplier experience and/or brand development experience. Excellent people, presentation, and communication skills. Masters/Bachelor Degree/Diploma in relevant field. Experience in customer facing product development role. Good working knowledge of Quality Management Systems, Food contact regulations, child safe packaging, recycling and regulations, chemical restrictions, transport and handling and sustainable regulations. Other information In turn we offer: Competitive salary with annual salary reviews. 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service. Extensive benefits program including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits. Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff. Great learning and development and progression opportunities Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets). Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave. Generous Company Sick Pay. Pension Scheme Contribution. Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team.

Solent Group Christchurch, United Kingdom Technical Hybrid Company Description Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis - we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category. Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK. Position DIVISION/DEPT: Technical - Foods REPORT TO: Head of Technical - foods LINE MANAGEMENT: Food Technologist LOCATION: Hybrid Christchurch (Minimum 1 day a week in the office) TRAVEL: Regular European and UK overnight travel ( often at short notice) We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Technical Manager to join our team. This is a customer-facing role that requires a strong technical background in food safety and quality, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain robust client relationships. The successful candidate will serve as the technical expert for key customers, ensuring product compliance, addressing technical queries, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Requirements Responsibilities: Customer Relationship Management: Serve as the primary technical contact for key customers, maintaining strong, trust-based relationships. Proactively address customer queries, complaints, and concerns, ensuring swift and effective resolution. Provide technical presentations, reports, and updates tailored to customer requirements. Escort customer visits to manufacturing partners. This will include where necessary attending factory trials, pre-production and product launches. Technical Oversight: Lead product specification reviews and ensure compliance with relevant food safety standards, regulations, and customer codes of practice. Conduct risk assessments and provide guidance on raw materials, allergens, product testing and product labelling. Collaborate with internal teams and manufacturing partners to ensure products meet or exceed customer and regulatory expectations. Drive continuous improvement initiatives in quality and technical processes internally and with the key manufacturing partners. Work closely with NPD, supply chain, and manufacturing partners teams to develop innovative, customer-focused solutions. Deliver Solent sustainability programmes. Auditing and Compliance: Support customer and third-party audits, ensuring readiness and compliance at all times. Support and guide manufacturing partners ensuring readiness and compliance to the customers standards and policies. Oversee and perform regular manufacturing partners audits in monitoring of their compliance to customers own standards and policies. Monitor changes in industry standards and regulations, advising customers, manufacturing partners and internal stakeholders as necessary. Mentor and guide junior members of the technical team. Act as a liaison between customers and manufacturing partners, fostering alignment and shared goals. About you: Proven experience in a senior technical or quality role within the food industry. Strong knowledge of food safety standards (e.g., BRCGS, IFS), customer standards ( M&S, Tesco)and UK/EU food regulations. Demonstrated ability to manage and influence relationships with key customers. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure. Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to prioritize effectively. A degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Please note: This role involves regular tasting/handling of food products, including dairy, nuts and other allergens. Please consider this when applying if you have severe food allergies. Other information What we offer: Competitive salary with annual salary reviews 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service Extensive benefits programme including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff Great learning and development and progression opportunities Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets) Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave Generous Company Sick Pay Pension Scheme Contribution Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team