Packaging Development Manager

About the Role

Mindfield Resources is seeking a Packaging Development Manager for a leading food manufacturing client with an established portfolio in condiments and flour-based products. This full-time position is based in Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and focuses on strengthening product innovation, quality, and manufacturing efficiency.

Role Purpose and Scope

The Packaging Development Manager will lead the packaging development agenda from concept through commercialization. This role is responsible for ensuring that all packaging solutions deliver on product integrity, consumer appeal, manufacturability, regulatory compliance, and cost-effectiveness. It is a hands-on technical position requiring close collaboration across R&D, Marketing, Procurement, Quality, and Manufacturing departments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead structural packaging development across the condiments and pasta product portfolio.
• Translate product and consumer briefs into technically viable packaging solutions.
• Drive packaging innovation, value engineering, and material optimization initiatives.
• Lead stability testing, production trials, and commercialization of new packaging.
• Evaluate packaging materials, technologies, and suppliers.
• Partner with suppliers on technical specifications, quality, and capability improvement.
• Work with Marketing on artwork, color management, and packaging execution.
• Identify cost optimization opportunities without compromising quality or product performance.
• Establish packaging specifications, technical documentation, and quality standards.
• Ensure packaging meets relevant regulatory and legislative requirements.
• Stay informed on emerging packaging technologies, materials, and industry trends.

Qualifications and Experience

• 8+ years of relevant experience within a multinational or leading food manufacturing business.
• At least 5 years of deep packaging development experience within condiments or closely related food categories.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, structural development, testing, and industrialization processes.
• Proven experience taking packaging projects from concept through plant trials and commercial launch.
• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.

Required Skills

• Strong supplier development and technical evaluation capability.
• Strong project management skills.
• Effective stakeholder management skills.
• People management skills.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking a packaging professional who can effectively balance innovation with practicality. The ideal candidate understands that a strong design must also be viable for the production line, protect the product effectively, satisfy consumer needs, and make commercial sense.