Packaging Development Lead

With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, Diageo is home to some of the world’s most iconic drinks. From Johnnie Walker and Guinness to Tanqueray, Smirnoff and Don Julio, we craft brands chosen for life’s moments — from everyday connections to landmark celebrations.  

Bring your talent, curiosity and ambition, and strive for your personal best alongside people who challenge, support and learn from each other. Together, as one outstanding team, we keep learning, improving and raising the bar for our brands, our business and each other.  

Join us and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more 

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.

The Packaging Development Lead operates within the Global Technical Organisation and plays a critical role in delivering Diageo's growth, sustainability and productivity ambitions through packaging.

The role works across a complex global supply network, partnering with Procurement, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Suppliers and Brand Change teams to develop and implement packaging solutions that enhance brand equity, improve operational performance and create sustainable value.

The role requires the ability to balance consumer, technical, operational and commercial priorities, while managing risk and driving execution across multiple markets, categories and packaging technologies.

The role leads through expertise, influence and strategic partnership rather than direct line management.

• Procurement and Supplier Relationship Management
• Brand Change and Innovation Teams
• Manufacturing and Supply Chain Functions
• Quality and Regulatory Teams
• Packaging Material Suppliers and External Partners
• Global and Regional Technical Teams

The role is expected to build trusted relationships, influence technical direction and enable effective decision-making across a broad stakeholder network.

To provide technical leadership for the development, qualification and implementation of packaging solutions that support brand growth, operational excellence, quality, sustainability ambitions and value creation across Diageo's global packaging portfolio.

The role is accountable for ensuring packaging solutions are robust, scalable and commercially effective while driving continuous improvement and managing risk.

• Lead the development, qualification and implementation of packaging solutions across innovation, renovation, supply continuity and value creation programmes.
• Ensure packaging solutions meet brand, consumer, quality, sustainability and operational requirements.
• Provide packaging expertise to support strategic business priorities and technical decision making.

• Identify and deliver opportunities to optimise packaging cost, performance, quality and sustainability.
• Anticipate, assess and mitigate technical, supply and operational risks.
• Support supply resilience through robust packaging and supplier risk management practices.

• Develop strong partnerships with suppliers and Procurement to improve capability, performance and long-term value creation.
• Support supplier selection, qualification and performance improvement activities.
• Leverage supplier innovation and technical expertise to enhance packaging solutions and future capability.

• Partner with Manufacturing and Supply teams to improve packaging performance, line efficiency and product quality.
• Lead resolution of complex packaging-related challenges and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective deployment of packaging standards, specifications and governance processes.

• Accelerate delivery of Diageo's sustainability commitments through packaging innovation and material optimisation.
• Evaluate emerging materials, technologies and packaging formats.
• Contribute to the development of future packaging capability and technical excellence across the organisation.

• Degree qualified in Packaging, Engineering, Materials Science or a related technical discipline.

• Significant experience in packaging development, packaging technology or a related technical leadership role.
• Proven track record of delivering complex packaging projects from development through commercialisation.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes and supplier capability management.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver value through technical innovation, optimisation and risk management.
• Experience influencing cross-functional stakeholders and delivering outcomes within a matrix organisation.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to balance business, consumer and technical priorities.

Based at a Diageo Technical Centre or agreed business location, operating within Diageo's flexible working framework. Travel may be required to manufacturing sites, suppliers and project locations to support business priorities.

Flexibility is key to our success. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you so that you’re supported to manage your wellbeing and balance your priorities from day one.  

We recognise and value performance, offering our people a highly competitive Rewards and Benefits package including:   

Our purpose is crafting iconic drinks chosen for life’s moments. And it’s our people, with their different experiences, perspectives and talents, who make that possible.  

We value diversity in its broadest sense and want everyone to feel they can belong, contribute and strive for their personal best. You’ll work alongside people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives — challenging, supporting and learning from one another as one outstanding team.  

Together, we’re constantly learning and improving, combining the strength of our people, capabilities and iconic brands to raise the bar, grow and win. Wherever you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, make an impact and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more.  

Ready to bring your best? This could be your opportunity.  

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

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