Research and Development Specialist: Packaging at Clover S.A. Proprietary Limited

Job Advert Summary    

• Clover is looking for Research and Development Specialist: Packaging to manage all packaging-related topics such as Development & Design, Innovation, Optimisation, Compliance and Technical support. This position is based at Clover Head Office in Roodepoort.

Requirements    

• Bachelor's Degree
• Business English: Fluent
• Code 08 Driver's License
• Good knowledge of packaging raw materials, technologies and functionality 
• Knowledge of relevant printing processes 
• Understanding packaging principles & optimisation strategies 
• Project Management experience 
• Travel off-site/Overnight Stay
• Computer Literacy (Intermediate)
• Working with Senior Management

Competencies    

• Solves problems through effective decision making.        
• Clear and sound reasoning ability              
• Brings a strategic contribution        
• Lead and drive change for improvement        
• Customer orientated        
• Thinking and reasoning logically         
• Communicates effectively        
• Ability to plan and organize           

Duties and Responsibilities    
Design & Developing of packaging material

• Propose clear packaging recommendations in line with marketing briefs, considering technical feasibility, value analysis, risks, cost, accessibility, timing, food safety, etc.
• Provide the necessary drawings, dummies, worksmaps and all relevant specification requirements
• Be the technical packaging expert & support to all relevant departments (Marketing, Procurement, Production, Quality, Logistics)
• Coordinate and supervise packaging material trials and manage all the packaging aspects of projects
• Define the key criteria of packaging quality and the means to control
• Drive a zero waste & environment friendly culture
• Participate in shelf life predictive modelling, relevant shelf life testing and/or consumer tests
• Stay abreast of local & international packaging launches & trends and communicate opportunities within the Business
• Establish frequent strategic innovation sessions with Marketing to share local and global innovations, ideas and trends
• Build strong networks with key packaging suppliers with the objective to obtain information on innovation, new technology and application
• Ensure the development of packaging in line with the Marketing brief and company's business plans, cost targets and delivering on defined consumer expectations
• Build strong cross-functional relationships with Marketing, Procurement, Production, NBD, Quality and other relevant internal functions

Liaise with packaging material suppliers      

• Investigate & develop knowledge on new pack materials & ingredients, functionalities, technologies, printing processes, packaging equipment, innovation and saving opportunities
• Build efficient and professional relationship with suppliers to strengthen technical networks
• Co-ordinate communications amongst suppliers, procurement, production and quality teams
• Mitigate risk for Clover by evaluating & auditing potential new and/or alternative suppliers
• Assist with supplier quality audits and incident investigations
• Responds to packaging quality issues and work cross functionally with both Supply Chain & Packaging Suppliers to resolve
• Ensure regulatory adherence and compliance

Ensure compliance with the operational requirements of the factory              

• Create packaging item codes, load and maintain the BOM's
• Draft, issue, maintain and control packaging material specifications, pallet configurations and colour standards
• Ensure pack material designs & quality aspects comply with operational requirements and constraints of the factories
• As the packaging technical support, assist and even lead the process of fault finding (including corrective actions), in co-operation with Production, Procurement, Logistics, Quality and PIT teams, for existing packaging with continuous specification deviations
• Participate with Engineering and Production in setting up and commissioning of new packaging lines/equipment

Support & implement continuous improvements/optimisations of current packaging & processes within factories and external manufacturers according to organizational needs

• Continuously evaluate & improve the design & quality standards of the product ranges, through local and international benchmarking
• Take part in technical projects including technical assistance, sourcing, quality improvements, compliance, and productivity cost savings. Also managing timelines, uncovering roadblocks, defining critical paths and identifying resource constraints
• Continuously search for and identify new fields of cost saving and/or other optimisation or packaging efficiency improvements
• Evaluate, control and implement new packaging optimisations
• Provide first line support to external factories by acting as the resource for packaging knowledge & expertise to eliminate the root cause of assistance requests
• Undertaking long-term projects with other departments, e.g. reducing waste by improving efficiency

Deadline:26th January,2026