Packaging Innovation

About the role:

You will own the packaging innovation agenda across relevant product categories and supply-chain touchpoints — from identifying problems and exploring materials to prototyping, testing, validation and commercialisation.

The role requires a combination of packaging science, product development, problem-solving and hands-on execution.

What you'll do:

1. Packaging Design & Innovation

• Design and develop new packaging materials, structures, formats and solutions for diverse product categories.
• Identify opportunities to redesign existing packaging to improve product protection, quality and operational efficiency.
• Develop packaging solutions specifically suited to FirstClub's supply-chain and handling environment.
• Explore innovative packaging concepts that can create a meaningful improvement over conventional solutions.

2. Solve Supply-Chain & Product Problems

• Work closely with Supply Chain, Operations, Category and Sourcing teams to identify packaging-related challenges.
• Solve problems related to:
• Product damage and breakage
• Quality deterioration
• Shelf life
• Temperature/moisture management
• Handling and transportation
• Leakage/spillage
• Product deformation
• Wastage and shrinkage
• Packaging-to-product fit
• Translate operational problems into packaging design requirements and measurable specifications.

3. Materials & Technology Exploration

• Evaluate new packaging materials, substrates, coatings, structures and technologies.
• Stay updated on developments in sustainable packaging, barrier technologies, protective packaging and alternative materials.
• Assess the technical suitability, availability, scalability and economics of new materials.

4. Prototyping & Testing

• Work with packaging suppliers, manufacturers, material innovators and startups to develop prototypes.
• Design and execute packaging trials and experiments.
• Establish appropriate testing methodologies and performance benchmarks.
• Iterate designs based on test results and feedback from real-world supply-chain operations.
• Validate packaging solutions through pilot runs before large-scale deployment.

5. Supplier & Manufacturing Collaboration

• Identify and work with relevant packaging manufacturers, material suppliers and technology partners.
• Collaborate with suppliers to develop customised packaging solutions.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities, manufacturing feasibility, MOQ, tooling requirements and scalability.
• Drive the transition from prototype to commercially viable packaging.

6. Commercialisation & Scale

• Ensure that packaging innovations are not only technically effective but also commercially viable.
• Evaluate solutions across cost, performance, scalability, availability and operational feasibility.
• Build business cases and cost-benefit analysis for new packaging solutions.
• Drive successful implementation of validated packaging formats across the supply ecosystem.

What we're looking for:

• 4–8 years of experience in Packaging R&D, Packaging Innovation, Packaging Development, Packaging Engineering or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of packaging materials, structures, manufacturing processes and testing methodologies.
• Experience in developing or improving packaging solutions rather than only managing packaging procurement.
• Strong problem-solving ability with a hands-on approach to experimentation and prototyping.
• Experience working with packaging manufacturers, material suppliers and/or innovation partners.
• Ability to understand a supply-chain problem and translate it into a packaging solution.
• Commercial mindset — ability to balance performance, cost, scalability and operational practicality.
• Strong analytical and project management skills.