Assistant Packaging Innovations Manager - FTC at RCL Foods

Job Description    
RCL FOODS is seeking to employ an experienced Assistant Packaging Innovations Manager to join our Beverages Division. The role will be based in Pretoria and report to the Packaging Capability Manager.

RCL FOODS entrusts the Assistant Packaging Innovations Manager to:

• Lead delivery of packaging solutions into active projects across Beverages.
• Drive collaboration to enable efficient and effective trialling of innovation, development and implementation of fit-for-purpose packaging within the unique requirements of the Beverage Site.
• Enable collaborative workings to address packaging challenges on existing line items as and when they arise.

Minimum Requirements    

• Packaging Diploma.
• Food Technology Diploma, Quality and Food Safety Qualifications, Biochemistry or similar advantageous.
• Min 8 years experience in FMCG Packaging Development having worked with technical and engineering teams to convert materials into packed products.
• Specialist Technical Knowledge in:
• Packaging materials and formats e.g. Liquid cartons, plastic films, corrugates, bottles & closures, shrink-sleeves and similar.
• Packaging machinery and related plant process operations and flows.
• Design, barcoding, colour management, plate making & print production.
• Food labelling regulations.
• HACCP standards.
• ISO and BRC standards.

Duties & Responsibilities    

• Strong specialist technical packaging direction into project teams for proposal of packaging solutions, construction of project timelines, provision of indicative costings to enable project commercials to be developed and adherence to best business practices and NPD documentation and processes.
• Stakeholder management around project trials and prioritized task delivery on time and in full.
• Leverage supplier partnerships to ensure optimal delivery within sometimes difficult time constraints and hold them accountable in the instance of non-deliver and/or non-conformance.

Packaging Innovation and Development:

• Challenge the status quo towards continuous improvement.
• Similarly, work on packaging quality improvements, cost reduction initiatives and solutions as identified.
• Strong alignment with Process and Equipment Managers, Site Manager and Business Unit Manager to support them in daily affective packaging delivery and troubleshooting.
• Have an appreciation for the critical role packaging has to play in our environmental.

Packaging Governance:

• Adhere to the company Total Quality Management Systems.
• Ensure that RCL’s ethical standards and the requirements of the RPM are complied with.
• Report on any areas of non – compliance.
• Maintain a basic appreciation and awareness of employee relations climate and ensure corrective action is taken where required in line with relevant legislation and company policy.
• Ensure strict confidentiality around pricing and any new launches planned plus any other relevant information.
• Responsible for the input of packaging information into HACCP studies and packaging specifications; both required to ensure packaging compliance critical for affective, accurate processing and manufacturing.

Administrative and Functional Support:-

• Responsible for brilliant basics in execution of packaging specifications, documentation completion and working through defined business systems to deliver against SIA’s and meet Marketing launch timings with a high quality of packaging.
• Where necessary, intervene in times of supplier non-delivery to facilitate a solution with the supplier; may it be: availability of raws, non-conforming stock delivery, troubleshooting on the line etc.
• Delivery of documentation required for project progression and final delivery. Namely: (Sample Requests, buying requisitions, take on forms, scoping checklists, PPS compilation, trial reporting, uploading of documentation onto Sharepoint and Intranet, raising BR’s and similar)
• Manage project team’s input into, and be responsible for final sign off of artwork on Insite/Webcenter to ensure brand integrity and compliance with label legislation.
• Assist marketing where possible with On-printer Approvals (OPA’s) for quality and colour accuracy of new packaging artwork.
• First production quality training and approval
• PDF compilations and submission for product listings.

Effective Teamwork, Talent & Self-Management:

• Connect weekly with the Packaging Exec and daily with the wider Packaging Forum if required to remain aligned, review progress and share and draw on alternate opinions, ideas and experience.
• Participate in regular performance appraisals and ensure that own targets and goals and those you are responsible for are relevant, clear and achievable.
• Within the business unit, support a culture of excellence and commitment through engagement.
• Demonstrate effective self-management in terms of planning & prioritising.
• Plan, prioritise, communicate & manage BU stakeholder’s expectations.
• Demonstrate willingness to help others and “go the extra mile”