Senior Packaging Development Scientist

Hello. We’re Haleon. A new world-leading consumer health company. Shaped by all who join us. Together, we’re improving everyday health for billions of people. By growing and innovating our global portfolio of category-leading brands – including Sensodyne, Panadol, Advil, Voltaren, Theraflu, Otrivin, and Centrum – through a unique combination of deep human understanding and trusted science. What’s more, we’re achieving it in a company that we’re in control of. In an environment that we’re co-creating. And a culture that’s uniquely ours. Care to join us. It isn’t a question.

With category leading brands such as Sensodyne, Voltaren and Centrum, built on trusted science and human understanding, and combined with our passion, knowledge and expertise, we’re uniquely placed to do this and to grow a strong, successful business.

This is an exciting time to join us and help shape the future. It’s an opportunity to be part of something special.

About the role.

We have a strong innovation growth plan, coupled with ambitious sustainability goals for 2030 including a commitment to making healthcare more accessible to more consumers every day. Packaging innovation is instrumental to delivering all three of these and as such is a highly strategic capability for our R&D function and the long-term health of the business.

In R&D Packaging (rdpk) at Haleon our mission is ‘innovating the future of packaging to deliver everyday better health’.  Our function has three priorities: to deliver and strengthen the innovation pipeline, to lead the transformation on sustainable packaging and to anticipate the development of emerging packaging technologies & solutions.  Underpinning this is an appetite for building class-leading rdpk development capability and a sustained focus on looking after each other and nurturing our talent.

We believe that great packaging innovation can deliver the sweet spot between being responsibly designed and unlocking new improved, more inclusive user experiences.  We are seeking a Senior Packaging Development Scientist who shares the passion for the impact packaging can have on consumers’ lives, on business results and on society.

As a Senior Packaging Development Scientist, you will lead complex packaging development projects from early idea identification through to successful technology transfer to Supply Chain after validation. The position reports to the R&D Packaging Lead – supporting EMEA & LATAM business units and is based in Weybridge, UK.

Key Role Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee packaging development projects, coordinating with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and stakeholders to ensure successful execution.
• Collaborate with key stakeholder to define the packaging brief and product needs.
• Demonstrate technical expertise and leadership in the selection, development, and validation of the optimal packaging system for new and existing products considering inclusive design, consumer delight, packaging sustainability goals, product/packaging interaction and overall feasibility.
• Translate consumer insights and unmet needs into concrete solutions by scouting for ideas and driving those for the brand through the stage gate process.

• Continually develop knowledge in new areas of packaging (such as smart packaging and digital tools) and look for innovative and better ways of working by eliminating non-value-added activities and improve efficiency.

• Continually develop and leverage knowledge in packaging sustainability trends, recycling technologies and local/national/regional recyclability regulations.
• Ensure all deliverables (internal and regulatory framework) are met during the development to reach a smooth handover to Supply Chain at validation.
• Be brand savvy and consumer obsessed in leveraging new packaging technologies to elevate user experience through innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering (Packaging, Chemical or Mechanical), Industrial Design or Science (Material Science, Polymer Chemistry, or related fields).
• Demonstrated experience in packaging within R&D/packaging innovation within FMCG/consumer products, working in collaboration with various internal stakeholders and partner functions.
• Good understanding of research methodologies to determine consumer insights. Experienced in managing/leading complex projects from End-to-End, solving technical and operational problems with solid scientific approach.
• Technical knowledge and understanding of packaging materials, processes, and technologies used by the product category (e.g., blisters, bottles, tubes, pumps, flexibles, etc.…). This includes knowledge of materials science, structural design, manufacturing processes, quality assurance, and regulatory requirements related to packaging.
• Familiarity with packaging standards and regulations specific to the industry. Project management skills with experience in developing and managing complex projects schedules, budgets, and timelines.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge in medical devices and/or regulated OTC packaging.
• Excellent team player, eager to contribute to the team agenda.
• Packaging related software (Solidworks, Autocad, Illustrator, Tops, CapePack...)

Care to join us. Find out what life at Haleon is really like www.haleon.com/careers/

Are you ready to apply Make sure you understand all the responsibilities and tasks associated with this role before proceeding.

At Haleon we embrace our diverse workforce by creating an inclusive environment that celebrates our unique perspectives, generates curiosity to create unmatched understanding of each other, and promotes fair and equitable outcomes for everyone. We're striving to create a climate where we celebrate our diversity in all forms by treating each other with respect, listening to different viewpoints, supporting our communities, and creating a workplace where your authentic self belongs and thrives. We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

As you apply, we will ask you to share some personal information, which is entirely voluntary. We want to have an opportunity to consider a diverse pool of qualified candidates and this information will assist us in meeting that objective and in understanding how well we are doing against our inclusion and diversity ambitions. We would really appreciate it if you could take a few moments to complete it. Rest assured, Hiring Managers do not have access to this information and we will treat your information confidentially.

Haleon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability, genetic information, military service, covered/protected veteran status or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, Haleon may be required to capture and report expenses Haleon incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure Haleon’s compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements.