Regional Packaging Technologist

Job Title: Regional Packaging Technologist, R&D, ekaterra Lipton Tea, Egypt
(Short-term Contract) - Immediate Hire
Work Location: Egypt
About ekaterra:
With an annual turnover of around €2bn, ekaterra is the world's largest tea
business, with world-class, purpose-driven brands such as Lipton, Pukka, Tazo,
T2 and PG Tips. 'eka' is a word taken from the Sanskrit language which means
unity and one purpose, while 'terra' represents the earth and nature. As
ekaterra we are truly united in one purpose: growing a world of wellbeing
through the regenerative power of plants.

In July ‎2022, CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII took over the full ownership of
the ekaterra business from its previous owner, Unilever. As a standalone
entity with a dedicated single-category focus, ekaterra is even better
positioned to lead the tea industry, delivering higher growth and value, and a
greater impact on the wider world. With ‎11 production factories in four
continents and tea growing estates in three countries, ekaterra is a
profitable and growing business whose brands reach hundreds of millions of
consumers. It has a presence in over ‎100 countries.

Under the ownership of CVC, ekaterra has an exciting future ahead with
opportunities for increased investments in our iconic brands, our people, and
our capabilities. Combining the strength and scale of our brands with a focus
on speed and agility, ekaterra is brewing a corporate start-up mindset that's
opening-up new opportunities for its people to flourish every day.

At ekaterra, we put consumer love at the heart of every decision. We celebrate
diverse thinkers who take personal ownership to connect ideas and make
impactful things happen; people who share our values around humanity and
courage and give their commitment to nurturing the wellbeing of all. In
return, we offer a working culture that gives our people freedom and
flexibility, and where they can grow both personally and professionally to
master their field.

Be part of our amazing blend. Come and grow yourself and, in turn, help us to
grow a world of wellbeing.
Your Role
ekaterra recognises Packaging as an important part of the product mix. Not
only is Packaging a critical function within ekaterra - the business spend on
packaging exceeds €220mn and we partner with the world's leading packaging
suppliers. Our Sustainability vision cannot be achieved without packaging
innovation and technology that will drive growth and, at the same, halve our
environmental impact.
Delivering superior innovations that are holistically designed for rollout
will be critical for the ekaterra's success. Packaging plays a prominent role
in these innovation plans, and is a key capability to drive competitive
advantage. Not only does it fulfil a very important functional role, to
contain, protect and inform, but also as the first "touchpoint" with the
consumer, it must engage the consumer, reflecting the brand proposition, and
delivering a delightful experience.
The role will be based within the Tea Packaging team and will play a major
role in meeting our growth and sustainability ambition. Tea brands include
Lipton, PG tips, Brooke Bond, T2, Pukka and Tazo to name a few.
Working closely with other functions as part of a cross-functional team, the
senior packaging technologist will lead on innovation, renovation, and cost
saving projects, landing consumer and customer preferred packaging designs.
The job holder will be expected to have an entrepreneurial mindset and not be
bound by rigid processes.
The job holder will lead Packaging development activities across various
platforms and ensure project delivery in close partnership across functions
(Marketing; Supply Chain; Procurement) as well as key (external) partners and
suppliers (e.g. 3PM, Material suppliers).
You will bring your passion for Tea, and enthusiasm to know consumer and
customer needs and trends and use this to shape and deliver brilliant,
sustainable, packaging experiences.
Your Key Tasks:
* To deliver, as a packaging workstream leader of a project team, packaging solutions to agreed innovation, renovation and operational (cost savings, quality, complexity reduction) projects, on time in full, by following best practice in packaging
* Liaise with packaging convertors and material suppliers in the development of packaging components
* Deliver packaging which not only meets the required quality and technical standards, but also delights the consumer and builds brand love, through using Unilever's Packaging Excellence best practices
* Developing and executing a testing plan for primary and secondary packaging, ensuring packaging is "fit for purpose" compatible with SC, Product properties, Consumer, Brand needs and legislation. The testing plan can include laboratory tests (at ekaterra, at our convertors, and at 3rd party labs), factory trials, and distribution trials.
* To complete the content of technical specifications for packaging components.
* Where relevant, to deliver, as a member of a cross functional project team, solutions to agreed projects, on time in full
* Identify and implement potential cost saving activities across the category packaging portfolio.
* Attendance of project meetings and deputise for manager when required.
* To interface with other functions in support of project delivery (e.g. brand development, supply chain, procurement)
* To manage and deliver their own agreed work plan
* To comply with the Code of Business Principles and all SHE and QA policies, including the support of product claims, risk management and environmental awareness
Skills and Experience
* The candidate is expected to have relevant qualifications in an engineering/packaging related area at further education level, and a minimum of ‎3 years suitable work experience
* Basic awareness in packaging expertise of a range of packaging materials
* Working knowledge of the key materials for the category - Paper Board & Flexibles
* ‎3- ‎5 years in an FMCG company, ideally with packaging experience
* Able to work effectively in multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural teams
* Flexibility in work style to be able to manage several projects simultaneously
* Understand risks and manage & mitigate those as appropriate
* Able to tailor communication effectively with teams and senior leadership
* Ability to influence new thinking with stakeholders and within team
* Excellent spoken and written English
* Strong in personal mastery & agility
* Strong in business acumen and passion for high performance
Who we are looking for
* A big-picture thinker, confident in taking strategic decisions that will impact culture, policy and ways of working
* To be agile and drive simple process design and continuous improvement
* Driven by innovation and strong change affinity
* Have strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills with diverse, multi-functional stakeholders
* Independent, self-starter, ability to discover opportunities and grow the business
* Must be passionate about Tea
* A passionate Networker and a natural relationship builder
Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to
drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our
diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a
diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion
across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual
bringing their 'Whole Self' to work and this includes you! Thus if you require
any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time
of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment
journey.