NPD Packaging Assistant

NPD Packaging Assistant

Lir Chocolates, Navan

Join Lir Chocolate's Team in Navan, County Meath as a Packaging Assistant – Help Craft Delicious Chocolate Creations!

Are you passionate about chocolate and eager to join a team that creates award-winning treats? Lir Chocolate is looking for a dedicated Packaging Assistant to support our New Product Development (NPD) team and play a crucial role in our packaging design journey.

At Lir Chocolate, we pride ourselves on being a leading provider of premium chocolates to major retailers worldwide. Our commitment to creativity, precision, and innovation sets us apart. From our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Navan, County Meath, we produce hand-finished and hand-decorated chocolates that blend traditional recipes with exciting new combinations.

The Packaging Assistant role at Lir Chocolate involves supporting and assisting with various packaging tasks to meet development requirements. This includes managing documentation, coordinating transit trials, handling sample requests, and performing data administration for packaging aspects. The role requires strong organisational and IT skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with other functions within the business. The Packaging Assistant will play a crucial part in ensuring the seamless operation of the packaging process, contributing to the creation of Lir’s premium chocolate products!

This is a full time, permanent role (Monday - Friday). 

• Input and email weekly operations updates to the NPD Director.
• Own and manage Transit Trial documentation, ensuring all chocolates and packaging are available, and organize shipping to customers. Capture and distribute all related information and images.
• Upload and maintain supplier quotes and costings files, liaising with the Costings Manager and Packaging Development Manager, and organize quotes by customer and supplier.
• Perform data administration for all packaging aspects, including customer new line forms.
• Complete packing specifications for all lines, including palletization, step-by-step instructions, date formats, and barcodes. Manage product amendments and approved BOM changes.
• Assist with testing and validating new materials alongside the Packaging Technologist.
• Attend initial packing sessions and handover specifications to the Packing Line lead, conducting handovers across all functions and reporting feedback.
• Organize DHL packages for shipping and handle related administration.
• Maintain documentation for each supplier and coordinate sample requests, ensuring correct labeling and timely dispatch. Photograph packed samples for evidence.
• Manage PR samples for commercial and development teams during seasonal times, ensuring efficient collation and dispatch. Compile a document to track all requests.
• Manage Brandbank for relevant retailers.
• Handle last-minute sample requests, providing quick and effective solutions.
• Perform additional tasks as required due to the dynamic nature of the business.
• Provide administrative support and take minutes at weekly feasibility meetings, circulating them to the Director of NPD.
• Assist the Packaging Technologist and Packaging Development Manager during holiday periods

• A genuine interest in food packaging design and NPD.
• Relevent qualifcations, such as a degree in Food Science is desirable but not essential.
• Good knowledge of MS office and databases.
• Excellent communication skills, always demonstrate initiative and be proactive
• Excellent attention to detail
• Good listening skills.
• Reliable and trust worthy and good time keeping.
• Problem solving and sound decision making skills.
• Organisation skills and ability to prioritise tasks and follow up on daily, weekly actions.

• Annual Leave: Begin with 23 days of annual leave, progressively increasing by an extra day each year until you reach 25 days, in addition to public holidays.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Access a comprehensive program for employee well-being.
• Company Pension Plan: Secure your future with our pension scheme.
• Charity Engagement: Participate in charity fundraising and team events, from BBQs to Yoga and beyond!
• Additional Leave for Community Work: Receive one extra paid day off for charity or community work.
• Staff Shop Discounts: Enjoy exclusive discounts through our staff shop.
• Death In Service Benefit: After completing probation, avail of the Death in Service benefit.
• Maternity Leave: Benefit from 12 weeks of paid maternity leave after one year of service.
• Employee Values Awards: Be recognized and celebrated for embodying our values.
• Referral Bonus Vouchers: Earn bonuses for referring outstanding talent.
• Training and Development: Access ongoing opportunities for professional growth.
• Bespoke Training for New Factory Workers: Tailored training to ensure a smooth integration such as Food Safety, Manual Handling and Equality & Diversity.
• Free Parking: Experience hassle-free parking at all our manufacturing sites and offices.
• ESG Commitment: Be part of our ongoing commitment to our ESG strategy, focused on protecting our people, communities, and our planet.