An exciting opportunity exists for a Regional Packaging Manager at National Brands Limited (NBL) Durban (Pinetown).

Line Manager: National Packaging Manager
Number of Direct Reports: 1

Job Specification:

Key Performance Areas:

Packaging Productivity

• Monitoring packaging efficiency impact on operational processes from packaging machine speeds to packing and pallet specification and ensure products are cost
• Perform standard packaging engineering assignments and using engineering techniques to solve problems and make
• Trouble shoot and problem solve packaging issues at the
• Provide packaging expertise to lead problem solving, packaging testing/trialing and resolve packaging issues/quality
• Liaise with Packaging Material suppliers related to non-compliance against specifications, delivery and introduce new
• designs as well as re-engineer existing packaging materials when required to do

Value Engineering and Cost Savings

• Modify and improve existing packaging components and generate new
• Prepare packaging costings based on raw materials and manufacturing costs to ensure profitable products
• Attending and presenting at site meetings packaging opportunities and material right gauging and efficiency
• Test and analyse alternative packaging

NPD Packaging Concepts and Innovation

• Creative thinker and passion for packaging development and sustainability
• Work with the NPD team to ensure we have a full understanding of brief and support as required to meet product
• Compile/check and approve packaging specifications and labelling
• Proactively develop concepts for emerging markets considering new materials and
• Develop market leading packaging concepts meeting customer requirements including packaging mockups

Group Packaging Commodity Synergy

• Main point of contact on groups commodity packaging usage and
• Understand the groups packaging business capability in order to develop potential opportunities that are aligned
• Prioritise opportunities based on likelihood of success, complexity, investment required and size of
• Work with packaging procurement team to develop scope of

Lead and Manage Packaging Technologist

• Mentoring and developing technical packaging team members through a training and development
• Ensure staff remains relevant and is trained on packaging development process and is fully documented through in-house systems

Minimum Requirements:
Experience:                                                                   

• Minimum 8 years’ experience within packaging development
• Minimum 5 years’ operating at a Senior Level
• Experience with high-speed packaging machinery is essential

Qualifications:

• A completed Science / Engineering qualification or Advanced Diploma in Packaging essential

Additional Requirements:

• Knowledge of SAP
• Knowledge of the South African packaging industry essential
• Knowledge of QMS systems and HACCP will be an added advantage
• Knowledge of packaging materials across various disciplines and formats, e.g., plastics, corrugates, paper, laminates, flexible films, etc.
• Must know packaging conversion processes such as blow moulding, injection moulding, lamination, cartons, extrusion, printing processes and color technology
• Expertise in carton erection and cartooning, collation, shrink wrapping, case packing – corrugate, case sealing and palletizing and date coding
• Pallet optimization and utilization using Cape Pack
• Maintain Bills of Materials for packaging changes

Closing Date: 17 January 2025