Group Packaging Technologist Maternity Cover (9-12 Months) About Us Dale Farm is the largest UK farmer-owned cooperative, owned by 1,300 UK farmers. We supply a wide range of consumer and food ingredients dairy products including fresh milk, cheeses, milk powders, butter & dairy spreads, and ice cream into the UK, Irish and international markets. Core to our success is our people, and we now have an exciting opportunity within our Procurement Team, based at our Head Office in Belfast. About the Role As a Packing Technologist, you will play a core role within our Procurement Team in covering all areas of development to improve the way our packaging is delivered across multiple production sites. Reporting to the Head of Procurement, within this role you will look after the following responsibilities: Delivering a range of packaging projects to support Dale Farms innovative packaging solutions for NPD, optimisation and sustainability projects, ensuring packaging project meet the needs of the supply chain as well as the consumer Leading and managing Dale Farms Product Change Procedure for packaging which requires leading both supplier and stakeholder communication and engagement, planning and management of production trials, maintenance of trial documentation using the gate procedure, obtaining approval for change/new packaging and co-ordination with stakeholders to implement change in packaging Management and implementation of cost take out projects schedule to support delivery of procurements budget improvements Approval & maintenance of packaging specifications database actively challenging supplier specifications to ensure legal compliance Ensuring all Dale Farm packaging is safe and legal requirement for packaging are fulfilled including but not limited to PPT and pEPR, and providing regular concise updates to the business on upcoming legislation changes Support delivery of Dale Farm Sustainability strategy by delivery Packaging improvements Monitoring the quality of our finished About You This opportunity calls for a packaging technologist with first rate communication skills who will be a hands-on, results-oriented individual and who can demonstrate their creativity, skills, energy and ability to multitask effectively. Candidates should therefore possess a minimum of 2 years recent relevant FMCG experience in packaging/packaging technologies or 3 years experience in a food manufacturing role (e.g. quality/technical), ideally within the food industry. The successful Candidate will also be a relevant honours degree graduate (or equivalent) with experience of packaging materials & technologies ie structural design and print process. We are looking for applicants who are confident and have good communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will need strong project management skills and be able to identify and manage risk to implement projects in a timely manner. It is also a requirement that the successful candidate can demonstrate a strong understanding of supply chain challenges, legislation and sustainability requirements and well as possessing strong analytical and problem-solving skills and is proficient in excel. Candidates must have a valid driving license. Why Dale Farm? We have a lot to offer our employees at Dale Farm and we are committed to everyones learning and development journey. In addition to a competitive salary commensurate with the role, as well as standard benefits such as 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and contributary company pension, we also offer additional benefits such as Life Assurance, full wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme, and enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave. We promote an open and supportive culture which is based on our core values Teamwork | Positivity | Resolve | Ambition | Curiosity | Accountability You can find out more about life at Dale Farm on our LinkedIn and Facebook Career pages, and on our company website.. The closing date for applications is 5pm onFriday 18th April 2025. Please apply via clicking the apply button below. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer Only applications from EU Nationals or those with a valid permit to work in the UK will be accepted No unsolicited CVs from Agencies