Technical Innovations Specialist (Packaging)

Job Description :

About the Function:

Supply Chain & Manufacturing is where our brands are made, moved and delivered to the world. 

With over half of our people working across more than 100 sites, this is a complex, large-scale operation that brings together production, logistics, engineering and supplier partnerships. 

It’s fast-paced and hands-on, with teams working together to ensure quality, efficiency and sustainability at every stage. From sourcing ingredients to getting products into customers’ hands, you’ll play a role in delivering the brands people know and love. 

Role Overview

The role is responsible for Supply Chain Liquid development and packaging (innovation and renovation) within Supply Chain/Production function in Diageo South Africa. This role is the link between marketing Innovation and Supply/Production functions and would lead in the piloting of new products in this regard. Collaborate and partner with the supply sources, 3rd party, co-packers and materials suppliers in driving the innovations agenda

Top 3-5 Accountabilities

• Delivery of “True to Concept” packaging and liquid solutions to agreed cost, quality and time commitments.
• Develop packs and liquid for innovation and brand change and translate a prototype concept into a fully commercialized package, working closely with suppliers.
• Application of required project planning, budgeting, tracking, reporting and stakeholder communications processes to demonstrate required rigour of project management.
• Application of necessary packaging development skills to ensure “Design for Quality” packaging designed which performs well at all stages in the Supply Chain

Minimum Requirements:

• Degree level qualification or equivalent.
• 5 years Technical innovations experience in the FMCG industry.
• Strong project management skills with sound knowledge of a wide range of raw materials packaging materials and processes including:
• Artwork specification and management
• Reprographics process
• Design and development of packaging, materials and liquids.
• Translate concept of both liquid and packaging into a fully commercialized product through developing product handling processes and managing technical trials at pilot and production scale, working closely with other teams involved in these trials.
• Ensure new products comply with the requirements of the Liquor Products Act and other legislative and internal regulations and standards.
• Keep up to date with new innovations and technology and be proactive in bringing potential opportunities to the attention of the business.
• Deliver all work to agree standard on time and within budget while at all times complying with Health and Safety requirements and Good Manufacturing Practice.
• Application of required project planning, budgeting, tracking, reporting and stakeholder communications processes to demonstrate required rigour of project management.
• Risk Management practices and techniques.
• Ability to develop sound understanding of GBTC and Brand Change processes and Ways of Working.
• Ability to develop sound understanding of Navigate and Accelerate 360 process.
• Excellent organization, report preparation, and presentation skills.

Essential Attributes for Success

• Ability to operate independently on own initiative, including being unable to engage and impact on senior managers.
• Ability to fully engage with customer base to define and deliver projects successfully.
• Project management experience,
• Ability to work in cross functional teams and influence in that scale

Diversity statement:

Our purpose is to celebrate life, every day, everywhere. And creating an inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and that they can belong, is a crucial part of this.

We embrace diversity in the broadest possible sense. This means that you’ll be welcomed and celebrated for who you are just by being you. You’ll be part of and help build and champion an inclusive culture that celebrates people of different gender, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, social class, educational backgrounds, experiences, mindsets, and more.

Our ambition is to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world. Join us and help transform our business as we take our brands to the next level and build new ones as part of shaping the next generation of celebrations for consumers around the world.

Feel inspired? Then this may be the opportunity for you. 

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please ensure that you capture this information when you submit your application.

Worker Type :

Regular

Primary Location:

Waterfall

Additional Locations :

Job Posting Start Date :

2026-06-02