Packaging Technologist

ASR Group is the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar, with an annual production capacity of more than 6 million tons of sugar. The company produces a full line of grocery, industrial, food service and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group owns and operates six sugar refineries, located in Louisiana, New York, California, Maryland, Canada and Mexico. In the European Union, the company owns and operates sugar refineries in England, Portugal. ASR Group also owns and operates mills in Mexico and Belize. The company’s brand portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle’s® and Sidul®.

POSITION SUMMARY

As a Packaging Technologist, you will play a key role in driving packaging innovation and renovation projects that support the strategic goals of the Packaging Development team. You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering packaging solutions that meet performance standards, ensure food safety, and provide value to both the business and its customers—while maintaining cost efficiency.

This role requires deep technical knowledge across a wide range of packaging materials, including but not limited to poly films, corrugated board, and paperboard. You’ll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across multiple sites, as well as external suppliers, to ensure successful project execution aligned with business requirements.

ROLE DETAILS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Simultaneously lead multiple Innovation & Renovation projects from concept through commercialisation using an established stage gate process to achieve business objectives
• Develops and executes packaging qualification plans, including plant trials; reporting against predetermined key performance indicators to verify impact/mitigate risk of packaging changes
• Identifies packaging related innovation, sustainability, cost savings, technology, material standardisation, waste, and productivity/process improvement opportunities; implementing such opportunities when supported by a business case
• Provide technical expertise to multiple functional areas (including but not limited to Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales and Marketing) to overcome business challenges
• Challenges conventional thinking on packaging related subjects; implementing creative solutions to continuously improve business impact
• Serves as the technical owner in the creation and maintenance of packaging specifications within SAP PLM across all phases of development
• Performs other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant Science or Engineering discipline, or equivalent experience in a comparable environment. Postgraduate qualifications or the IOM3 Certificate/Diploma in Packaging Technology are advantageous.
• Hands-on experience in packaging development, ideally within the Food & Beverage or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry.
• Developing foundational knowledge of packaging materials and equipment commonly used in Food & Beverage or CPG manufacturing environments, with support and guidance from senior team members.
• Growing experience in problem-solving, with developing ability to apply technical reasoning to support decision-making under guidance from team members.
• Developing project coordination skills, with growing experience supporting cross-functional initiatives and contributing to packaging-related improvements under supervision.
• Excellent communication skills—both verbal and written—across all levels of the organisation.
• Ability to apply critical thinking to translate customer insights and requirements into practical, innovative packaging solutions.
• Building skills in analysing data and supporting root cause investigations to help resolve packaging-related issues.
• Proficient in using palletisation software such as Cape Pack (or equivalent), and advanced-level skills in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES)

• Working with Ambiguity: Achieves forward progress in the face of poorly defined situations and/or unclear goals; able to work effectively with limited or partial information.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Expresses ideas and information in a clear and concise manner; tailors message to fit the interests and needs of the audience; delivers information in a manner that is interesting and compelling to the listener.
• Drive for Results: Aggressively pursues challenging goals and objectives; will to put in considerable time and effort to accomplish objectives; takes a highly focused, goal driven approach toward work.
• Judgment & Decision-Making: Bases decisions on a systematic review of relevant facts and information; avoids making assumptions or rushing to judgment; provides clear rationale for decisions.
• Project Management: Manages resources, time, money, and scope in the completion of a set of activities which lead to the achievement of an objective(s). Keeps current on project status; makes sure people are aware of project status and what they need to do to keep things moving; redirects project resources and activities to overcome setbacks; elevates project concerns to senior levels of leadership when appropriate.
• Execution: Attentive to detail and demonstrated ability to deliver on accountabilities in order to help the business and the team be successful. Track record of high-performance.
• Energy & Initiative: Takes action on his/her own without being prompted; handles problems independently; able to resolve issues without relying on extensive help from others; does more than is expected or asked; asserts one's influence over events to achieve goals.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

• English is the primary language of communication
• Proficiency speaking/reading/writing in other languages such as Spanish or Portuguese is beneficial

TRAVEL

• This position will require travel, primarily throughout UK (approximately 10% - 20%) with potential for international travel project depending.

At Tate & Lyle Sugars, our goal is to be the most admired sweetener Company.

Service Excellence - Be the industry's Gold Standard by a relentless focus on reliability, providing products with superior quality and excellent customer services. Efficiency and Sustainability - Eliminate inefficiency to be a sustainable, low cost producer and to generate fuel for reinvestment. Value-Add - create strategic advantage and enhanced profitability through value-added products and services. The foundation of our values is Talent and Culture as we aim to build, retain and motivate a winning team.