Packaging Manager

Job Title: Packaging Manager

Location: Fox and Geese Bottling site

Contract: Permanent

About us

Irish Distillers, a Pernod Ricard company, is a producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys and Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits. Irish Distillers is part of Pernod Ricard’s Aged Spirits and Champagne business, a division which brings together an exceptional and prestigious portfolio of whisk(e)y, cognac and champagne brands. Led by Jameson, our Irish whiskeys are driving the success of the category globally. Jameson, crafted for smoothness at the Midleton Distillery, is the world’s bestselling Irish whiskey, a top 3 international whiskey brand and a top 10 international spirits brand*. Our Midleton Distillery whiskeys are exported to 130+ markets around the world. We employ over 800 people across our operations in Cork, Dublin and Northern Ireland.

Role Purpose

The Packaging Manager leads a team of packaging professionals to design, develop, and deliver innovative, functional, and sustainable packaging solutions.

The role is responsible for end-to-end packaging development across a range of activities including innovation, renovation, regulatory changes, and supplier validation, ensuring alignment with product requirements, brand identity, regulatory standards, and consumer expectations.

This role also contributes directly to complex packaging development projects and is accountable for the quality and accuracy of packaging specifications.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Manage, coach, and develop a team of packaging development professionals
• Build team capability and ensure effective delivery of objectives

End-to-End Packaging Development

• Lead packaging development from concept through to launch
• Translate packaging ideas into robust technical solutions aligned to project briefs and cost targets
• Ensure effective implementation and market readiness

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with marketing, manufacturing, engineering, quality, procurement, and external suppliers
• Deliver packaging solutions aligned to business, technical, and consumer requirements

Sustainability & Compliance

• Integrate sustainability principles into packaging development
• Ensure compliance with packaging regulations and global policies
• Maintain awareness of industry trends and emerging legislation

Technical Validation

• Lead validation activities including lab testing, line trials, and pilot runs
• Ensure compatibility with manufacturing, logistics, and storage requirements
• Support consumer validation in collaboration with relevant teams

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate new packaging materials and technologies
• Drive improvements in sustainability, quality, cost, and performance

Specifications & Documentation

• Develop and maintain packaging specifications and technical documentation
• Ensure accuracy and governance of all packaging-related data

Essential Criteria

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Experience in packaging development, including packaging materials and technologies
• Proven track record of delivering new product development and market launches
• Understanding of product lifecycle management and stage gate processes
• Knowledge of quality, regulatory, and manufacturing requirements related to packaging
• Experience managing and developing people
• Ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams

Desirable Criteria

The following experience will be advantageous:

• Experience working on complex or multi-project packaging programmes
• Exposure to sustainability-focused packaging initiatives
• Experience working with external suppliers or vendors
• Familiarity with validation processes such as line trials or pilot runs

Key Skills & Behaviours

• Strong problem-solving and analytical capability
• Results-oriented with a focus on delivery
• Practical and solution-focused mindset
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to lead and influence across diverse teams

What we offer

We understand our people are our special ingredient and at different points, employees require different supports at different stages of their working lives. Our benefits, perks and programmes look to support your employee journey. We want to make you feel recognised and valued for your contribution to our shared success. Some of offerings include;

• Hybrid working; A blended working arrangement of up to 2 days a week working from where you work best
• Profit share; - An annual profit share scheme to reward your contribution to the company’s success.
• Allowance; an annual allowance to spend on our portfolio of products and merchandise, for you to enjoy responsibly.
• People Development: We enable continuous development for our people at every stage of their careers through our people development, online learning, and leadership training programmes.
• Family leave: fully paid maternity, parent and paternity leave, allowing you spend precious time with your new family member
• Parental Support: Our ‘Reconnect’ programme includes access to a workplace parenting coach, a phased return to work and a supportive environment for new parents
• Health & Wellbeing; Our Wellbeing Programme “THRIVE” supports employees across the three main pillars: Life, Body and Mind
• Charity Days: up to 2 days paid leave every year to volunteer at a charity of their choice

At Irish Distillers, we know that great spirits are crafted by blending unique ingredients, and we believe the same is true for people. We actively welcome individuals from all walks of life, and warmly welcome those with diverse religious backgrounds, ethnicities , members of the Irish Travelling community, genders, abilities, and identities. It’s the mix of our experiences, voices, and cultures that gives us our true character.”

Learn more about working with Irish Distillers, a Pernod Ricard Company – www.irishdistillers.ie/careers

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