Description
The Packaging Technology Project Lead will provide technical and people leadership for packaging activities within the current Worthing Packaging Project.
The role will lead the planning and delivery of the packaging workstream for items within its control, including pack and component changes, blister material and format development, technical trials, qualification, validation and implementation of new packaging technologies.
The role will manage 1 to 2 Packaging Technologists and work through a cross-functional matrix with the Programme Lead, MSAT, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Artwork, Supply Chain and external raw material & equipment suppliers.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the technical packaging workstream: Own and deliver the detailed plan for packaging activities within the role's control, ensuring alignment with the integrated Programme plan, milestones and priorities set by the Programme Lead.
- Provide technical authority: Act as the project technical lead for pharmaceutical blister packaging, pack formats, packaging materials and component performance and product specific impact, providing clear, evidence-based recommendations.
- Manage and develop the team: Line manage, coach and prioritise the work of 1 to 2 Packaging Technologists, setting clear objectives, allocating activities and maintaining effective delivery.
- Deliver pack and component changes: Lead the technical development and implementation of primary packaging and associated secondary and tertiary pack changes, including drawings, Artwork specifications, risk assessments and change-control inputs.
- Plan and execute trials: Define trial objectives, protocols, sampling and acceptance criteria; coordinate shop-floor execution; assess data; document conclusions; and recommend next steps.
- Support qualification and validation: Ensure packaging materials, formats and relevant equipment interfaces are appropriately assessed, qualified and validated, with robust technical documentation and traceable decisions.
- Lead matrix delivery and suppliers: Coordinate technical activities across functions and with material, equipment and component suppliers, actively managing dependencies, actions, risks and escalations.
- Drive innovation and implementation: Maintain awareness of emerging packaging technologies and industry practice, evaluate their relevance to the project and translate suitable opportunities into practical, compliant solutions.
Key Skills and Experience Required:
- Pharmaceutical blister packaging expertise: Strong practical and technical knowledge of blister packaging materials, formats, components, packaging equipment interfaces and pack-performance risks within a GMP environment.
- Project planning and delivery: Demonstrated ability to create and manage detailed workstream plans, priorities, resources, risks, dependencies and deliverables within a complex capital or technical project.
- People and matrix leadership: Experience line managing or coaching technical staff and leading cross-functional contributors where delivery depends on influence rather than direct authority.
- Trials, qualification and validation: Proven capability to design, execute and report packaging trials and to support material, process and equipment qualification and validation using sound scientific and risk-based approaches.
- Pack & Artwork change and regulatory awareness: Experience delivering packaging component or format changes through formal change control, with a strong understanding of GMP, data integrity, product quality and regulatory requirements.
- Innovation, judgement and communication: Up-to-date awareness of packaging technologies, combined with the motivation, resilience and communication skills to assess options, make evidence-based recommendations and engage stakeholders at all levels.