Job Description

Packaging Technologist - permanent, full-time

Bicester, Oxfordshire

About us

British Bakels Ltd is a specialist provider of high-quality baking ingredients to organisations throughout the UK and beyond. Part of the wider Bakels Group of companies employing over 3000 employees worldwide, British Bakels is a successful, dynamic and friendly business with a reputation for high quality products and exceptional customer service.

As a result of our continued growth, we are looking for a Packaging Technologist to help us drive and maintain our high standards and ensure we can continue to meet and exceed our customers' expectations.

About the role

The position will be based in Bicester, with travel to Liverpool and suppliers when required.

The role is responsible for the co-ordination of packaging projects generated from both within the business and its customers across Liverpool and Bicester sites.

Specifically to

:

o Support the development and improvement of packaging at Bicester and Liverpool sites.

o Ensure that all quality standards and information relating to packaging are maintained and updated, owning the maintenance of packaging specifications and cutters on our system; and first-pass production sign-off at launch.

o Drive improvements in product quality by developing a better understanding of our processes and the impact of packaging on their performance, e.g. load stability, shelf life and sensory attributes.

o Develop and sustain strong collaborative relationships with Technical, Innovation/NPD, Commercial, Purchasing, Suppliers, & Co-manufacturers.

o Maintain a good understanding of our customer packaging standards and other requirements.

o Work with our Suppliers to identify and deliver innovative alternatives to our current packaging, delivering new packaging materials, designs or processing technologies, and transferring existing products into alternative packaging formats when needed.

o Ensure that use of packaging materials is aligned with our sustainability strategy and carbon reduction targets.

o Liaise with co-man and co-pack suppliers of added value services in areas relating to packaging.

The role will also be responsible for technical line trials on new primary and secondary packaging materials, ensuring that all materials / product development remain compatible with manufacturing processes and machinery.

Working hours - days (37.5 hours per week)

Responsibilities will include:

- Develop and maintain a good understanding of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, suppliers (existing and new) and packaging innovation within the industry.

- Support New Product Development (NPD) through sourcing and developing of packaging materials.

- Identify cost savings to the business through packaging innovation and/or materials development.

- Conduct and report back on Primary and Secondary materials trials and testing, ensuring that these are approved and specified in a timely fashion.

- Create palletisation configurations using supplier inputs, line trials, and the results of transit testing.

- Create material specifications and ensure approval of customer artwork.

-Maintain the packaging materials database and specification libraries, including cutter guides.

- Provide support and assistance to colleagues to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.

- Report internally and externally on our usage of packaging materials, e.g. EPR, WRAP and others.

-Collaborate with our Purchasing team to ensure maximum input from our packaging suppliers.

-Maintain our understanding of specific Customer packaging guidelines and requirements, specifically for PL work with Retailers.

- Complete production trails when needed on all packaging materials and ensure transit tests provide satisfactory standards for distribution.

-Approve printed packaging at launch including, when appropriate, attending print pass at supplier.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have to manage and prioritise workload when dealing with numerous stakeholder requirements both internally and externally, maintain high levels of attention to detail and desire for accuracy and adapt communication style in accordance with the environment. Specific requirements include:

- Numerate & literate (GCSE-level success in English and Maths)

- 5 years' experience in a packaging-related role or membership of an appropriate professional body.

- Retail food industry experience

- Managing for results

- Problem-solving

- Positive influencing

- Self-motivation and self-awareness

- Teamwork

- Ability to work unsupervised

- Computer literacy

-Technical understanding of packaging substrates

- Presentation skills

-Valid UK driving licence

You must also have the right to work in the UK and live within easy commuting distance of Bicester, Oxfordshire. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visa applications for this role.

Our staff benefits

We offer a generous range of benefits including:

- a competitive salary of 35-45k p.a. depending on experience

- 25 days' annual holiday, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days

- An additional day off for your birthday

- 10% employer pension contribution with optional salary sacrifice scheme

- Occupational sickness benefits

- Life assurance benefit

- Long Service awards

- Enhanced maternity/paternity pay

- Employee Assistance Programme with wellbeing portal

- Employee forum with regular social and charity events

- Healthcare scheme providing cashback on health-related expenditure(annual cap)
- Cycle Purchase scheme

- Tastecard scheme offering discounted food, retail and entertainment

- Staff canteen with vending machines, fridges, toasters and free tea/coffee

- Free on-site parking

We are an equal opportunities employer who values diversity, dedication and teamwork.

If you think you would be a good fit for this role, please apply today! We look forward to receiving your application.

Please note: Due to the high response received, we will only contact candidates that have been successfully selected. Therefore, if you have not heard back from us in 14 days, it means you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. Thank you for your interest!

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 35,000.00-45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Canteen Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Enhanced maternity leave Enhanced paternity leave Free parking Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance On-site parking Referral programme Sick pay
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 26/07/2025
Expected start date: 04/08/2025