Packaging Technologist

The Packaging Technologist will work closely with the Senior Sustainability Manager to deliver the Ocado Retail packaging strategy. This will involve being responsible for developing and delivering sustainable packaging for the Ocado Own Brand product range in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

What you'll do

• Support the Senior Sustainability Manager with defining a robust packaging strategy to ensure delivery of industry leading sustainable packaging for food and non-food Ocado Own Label products


• Ensure consistent high quality safe, sustainable and legal packaging


• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of legislative requirements, recycling and the waste management sector; represent Ocado and online retail in the relevant forums to influence favourably future legislation i.e EPR, DRS


• Setting the packaging technical requirements & undertaking the approval of specifications and artwork


• Manage the relationship with our packaging compliance scheme & ensure our regulatory compliance in UK


• Deliver a robust packaging governance to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the business and external stakeholders


• Support on external and internal reporting on packaging targets and KPI's e.g. Wrap UK Plastic Pact, Courtauld, Packaging Producer Obligation


• Work closely and build strong relationships with our product development, technical, commercial and marketing teams as well as Ocado Group, M&S and supplier partners. This may include UK & some international travel.


• Ongoing assessment of quality alongside the Technical Team and Group, monitoring online reviews and product issues recommending and implementing relevant packaging changes as required


• Continuously evaluate, optimise and improve our packaging to meet overall product lifecycle needs, enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and minimise environmental impact. Identify opportunities for innovative technology integration where applicable


• Drive packaging innovation and sustainable design with a particular emphasis on achieving low carbon and circular packaging solutions.


• Represent Ocado Retail and maintain good working relationships with external influential stakeholders, NGO's and industry bodies, e.g. INCPEN, WRAP, IGD, BRC . Attend appropriate conferences, working parties and feed in relevant insight into the Own Brand team.


• Act as an internal consultant to the business, providing expertise on sustainability, monitoring emerging trends, programs and issues, and communicating and informing others on packaging


In order to deliver on the above, you will collaborate with the following stakeholders:

• Director of Own Brand


• Head of Technical


• Technical Managers


• Trading Managers


• Supply Chain Managers


• Ocado Group


• M&S


• Own Brand suppliers


• Other brands
  
  Experience working within the food industry (manufacturing, retail, packaging supplier), ideally with a formal qualification in Packaging Technology


• Understanding of external regulatory framework: Knowledge of UK and European packaging legislation


• Experience of working with all the major packaging materials - plastic, glass, metal, paper, board


• Experience of writing packaging quality management documents to maintain/improve quality standards eg. policies, guidelines and codes of practice


• Knowledge of designing packaging that is suitable for different products and customer groups


• Excellent communication and presentation skills


• Highly organised and self-motivated


• Ability to interpret data and act upon it


• Adaptability to work within a fast growing company environment


• Focus on quality, accuracy and attention to detail


• Proficient in Microsoft Office packages and web-based systems
  
  We're Ocado Retail. We're the people powering Ocado.com, the world's largest online grocer, and Zoom by Ocado, our almost-as-fast-growing, same-day grocery service. As the world's biggest and best online-only grocer, we work tirelessly to bring more of what matters to our customers: unbeatable range, fair value, and effortless convenience.


We're an exceptional and mighty bunch of colleagues who are inspired by our three awesome values: Always be curious, Bring your best self, and Challenge what's possible.

We have ambitious plans and vision to never-stop making our customers' lives better, by delivering the supermarket of tomorrow, today., We have free onsite parking at Apollo Court, as well as a free shuttle bus service that runs frequently from Hatfield Station - just remember to tell the driver 'Apollo Court' as the shuttle also drops at Ocado Groups Head Office!

Driving: Apollo Court, 2 Bishop Square, Hatfield Business Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9NE

Train: Hatfield station is accessible from mainline routes from London Kings Cross, London St Pancras, or Moorgate.

A little bit more about us
Our business is a joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S. It's a successful combination of award-winning customer service and unrivaled customer data; world-leading technology and logistics from Ocado Group, and unrivaled product development from M&S.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Ocado Retail Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and as such makes every effort to ensure that all potential employers are treated fairly and equally, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status

We want our colleagues to feel supported and secure here at Ocado Retail, which is why we have a great range of useful benefits for them to scoop up - and they're now available to easily learn about using our new platform 'Pick 'n' Mix'. Our flexible benefits range from tasty lifestyle discounts to trusty private medical insurance.

These benefits can also be customised so you can pick and choose to best suit your lifestyle.

Core Rewards

• Annual bonus scheme - maximum opportunity dependent on the role


• 26 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays


• Up to 7% matched pension contributions (e.g. 7% from you, 7% from us)


• 50% income protection


• 4x salary life insurance


• 15% Ocado.com discount


• 20% Marks and Spencer discount


• Company-paid private medical insurance for colleagues with the opportunity to add partners/children at corporate rates and Digital GP service


• Hybrid Working (2-3 days a week connecting, collaborating, and learning together with our colleagues)


Health & Wellbeing

• Private Medical Insurance


• Critical Illness


• DigiCare+


• Healthcare Cashplan


• Health Assessment


• Dental Insurance


• Eyecare Vouchers


• Digital GP


• Mental Health


Flexible Benefits

• Tax-efficient electric vehicle leasing scheme


• Access to a retail discount platform, providing discounts and cashback


On-site at Apollo

• Free onsite parking and free shuttle service from Hatfield station


• Regular socials, including Town Halls and Mixers & our ORL Summer Party


• 'The Fig' (serving breakfast, snacks, and lunch), coffee cart, as well as small kitchens (with unlimited refreshments and fresh fruit available every day) and vending machines on each floor.


• As part of our inclusive nature, help make change within the business and join any of our Networks