Head of Packaging Development (FMCG)

As Head of Packaging Development (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods), you will be entrusted with steering the strategic direction of packaging innovation & development for a broad range of consumer products

Head of Packaging Development (FMCG)

Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Location: Jakarta

Keywords: packaging development, flexible packaging, technical leadership, collaborative, cost optimisation, mentoring, continuous improvement, high-volume manufacturing, commercial requirements, supportive team

A leading fast-moving consumer goods group is seeking a Head of Packaging Development to champion the advancement of packaging solutions, with a particular emphasis on flexible formats such as pouches, sachets, and refill packs. This confidential search offers you the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping packaging strategies for high-volume consumer products, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, efficient, and quality-driven results. The organisation is renowned for its commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, providing a supportive environment where your technical expertise and collaborative approach will be highly valued. You will enjoy the chance to mentor a dedicated team, drive impactful projects from concept through commercialisation, and contribute meaningfully to business growth while benefiting from flexible working opportunities and ongoing training.

• Take ownership of packaging development initiatives for a diverse portfolio of consumer products, focusing on flexible packaging solutions that meet both technical and commercial needs.
• Collaborate with R&D, Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality, Marketing, and suppliers to deliver optimised packaging solutions that support business objectives and enhance product value.
• Enjoy a hands-on technical leadership role with opportunities for mentoring, professional growth, and contributing to continuous improvement within a supportive organisational culture.

What you'll do:

As Head of Packaging Development (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods), you will be entrusted with steering the strategic direction of packaging innovation & development for a broad range of consumer products. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve collaborating closely with various departments to ensure that every new packaging solution meets stringent quality standards while also being commercially viable. You will lead your team through complex technical challenges by fostering an atmosphere of cooperation and knowledge sharing. Success in this role requires you to balance creativity with practicality—identifying ways to optimise costs without sacrificing product integrity. By evaluating new materials and technologies alongside managing supplier relationships, you will help position the organisation as an industry leader in sustainable and efficient packaging. Your ability to develop robust documentation and support continuous improvement efforts will further cement your impact on the company’s growth trajectory.

• Lead the agenda for packaging development across multiple consumer product lines, with special focus on flexible packaging formats including pouches, refill sachets, carton boxes, and other innovative solutions.
• Mentor and guide the packaging development team by providing structured technical direction and nurturing problem-solving skills in a collaborative environment.
• Drive new packaging projects from initial concept through trial phases, validation processes, and successful commercialisation while ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Evaluate emerging materials, structures, suppliers, and technologies to ensure packaging solutions are at the forefront of industry standards and innovation.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams such as R&D, Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality Assurance, Marketing, and external suppliers to ensure seamless delivery of packaging projects.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimisation by reducing material usage, simplifying packaging designs, and improving process efficiency without compromising product quality or safety.
• Conduct thorough technical evaluations including trials and root-cause analysis to resolve packaging-related challenges efficiently and effectively.
• Ensure all packaging designs are technically feasible for high-volume manufacturing environments by maintaining rigorous standards and documentation.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive specifications, standards, and technical documentation for all packaging formats used within the organisation.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by actively participating in innovation projects that enhance overall packaging performance across the business.

What you bring:

To excel as Head of Packaging Development (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods), you should bring substantial experience gained from major FMCG manufacturers where technical rigour meets commercial acumen. Your background should reflect deep familiarity with flexible packaging technologies—especially pouches, sachets and refill packs—as well as exposure to carton box solutions. A strong foundation in materials science coupled with practical knowledge of manufacturing processes will enable you to make informed decisions that benefit both product quality and operational efficiency. Your history of successfully managing complex projects from inception through commercial launch demonstrates your dependability in delivering results under pressure. Leadership skills are paramount; your ability to mentor colleagues fosters a culture of collaboration while driving continuous improvement. Effective communication ensures that you can bridge gaps between departments—translating technical requirements into actionable outcomes that align with broader business objectives.

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science or another relevant technical discipline is required for this role.
• 8–12+ years of proven experience in packaging development or engineering within FMCG sectors such as food, beverages, personal care or consumer products is essential.
• Hands-on expertise in flexible packaging formats including pouch design, sachet production and refill pack development is highly sought after.
• Experience working with carton box packaging would be considered advantageous but not mandatory.
• Comprehensive understanding of packaging materials science—including lamination techniques, film structure analysis—and manufacturing processes is vital.
• Demonstrated track record leading end-to-end packaging projects from design through trial phases to final commercialisation is necessary.
• Strong analytical abilities paired with logical problem-solving skills are crucial for addressing complex technical issues efficiently.
• Experience implementing cost efficiency measures such as value engineering or material optimisation within large-scale operations is preferred.
• Leadership qualities including people management skills and mentoring capabilities are important for guiding team members towards shared success.
• Excellent communication skills enabling effective interaction with both technical specialists and non-technical stakeholders are required.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as one of Indonesia’s most respected fast-moving consumer goods groups thanks to its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation across its extensive product portfolio. Employees benefit from a culture that values teamwork, knowledge sharing and professional development—ensuring everyone has access to ongoing training opportunities tailored to their career aspirations. Flexible working arrangements allow you to balance personal commitments while contributing meaningfully to high-impact projects. The company’s dedication to continuous improvement means you’ll always be supported in pursuing new ideas that drive efficiency or enhance sustainability. With a strong network spanning R&D through manufacturing and marketing functions, you’ll find yourself part of an inclusive community where your contributions are recognised and celebrated. This is an ideal environment for those who thrive on collaboration and seek long-term growth within a supportive framework.

What's next:

If you’re ready to take your expertise in packaging development to the next level within a leading FMCG group—this is your moment!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided; share your CV and let us know why you’re excited about joining this collaborative team.

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.