Packaging Development Manager

About the role

Nestlé Nigeria is looking for a Packaging Development Manager for its Agbara Factory. The role drives business growth by delivering packaging solutions that meet consumer and business needs while satisfying Nestlé requirements for quality, safety, efficiency, sustainability and compliance. It leads packaging innovation, quality and compliance, supplier relationships and factory leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Lead packaging development and innovation for new products, translating needs into specifications and technical solutions and driving successful launches across product categories, formats and filling/packing technologies.
• Ensure packaging materials and operations comply with company and national/international regulations; drive food-contact packaging CoC validation, documentation and the Packaging Material Monitoring Plan with Quality, R&D/PTC and Packaging stakeholders.
• Lead packaging quality improvements and corrective actions to reduce consumer complaints and safety/quality issues.
• Promote packaging-material reduction and lower environmental impact using tools such as PIQET/LCA, and support waste reduction, problem solving, efficiency improvement and NCE/DMAIC initiatives.
• Manage technical relationships with suppliers, converters and co-packers, take part in supplier/converter audits, resolve packaging-material issues and develop and coach the three-person packaging team.
• Contribute to the Factory Management Team and partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs and R&D.

Required profile

• Engineering degree or equivalent in an appropriate engineering discipline (Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical or similar).
• Proven packaging experience in a manufacturing environment; FMCG packaging experience preferred, strong pharmaceutical packaging experience also considered.
• Experience with multiple product categories, packaging formats and filling/packing equipment; multi-site or complex-factory exposure is strongly advantageous.
• Ability to lead and coach a team, collaborate at Factory Management level and influence cross-functional stakeholders.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of packaging technology, material specifications and conversion processes.
• Competence in packaging safety, quality and compliance, including HACCP, hygienic engineering, TPM/LEAN and SHE principles (advantageous).
• Supplier/converter management and auditing experience.
• Knowledge of packaging sustainability, material reduction and environmental-impact assessment approaches.
• Factory experience in filling and packing operations, with understanding of line automation.
• Advantageous: SAP, GLOBE, NPDI and Cape Pack.