Senior Packaging Engineer

Position Title: Senior Packaging Engineer
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Requisition ID: 42023
In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.
About the role.
As a Senior Packaging Engineer within the GB & EMENA R&D Packaging team at McCain Appetizers, you will lead and support cross-functional initiatives to drive product competitiveness through innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable packaging solutions. You will play a key role in the Appetizer category across the Netherlands and England, partnering closely with multiple stakeholders to deliver packaging that enables growth, ensures quality, and supports long-term sustainability goals.
What you'll be doing.

• Lead packaging development activities for new products and product changes, ensuring technical feasibility and efficiency
• Deliver cost optimization initiatives by identifying savings opportunities in materials and processes
• Manage end-to-end packaging projects, including planning, tracking, and reporting progress
• Develop and maintain packaging specifications, drawings, and coding templates in relevant systems
• Conduct material testing and due diligence to validate new packaging solutions
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Operations, Procurement, R&D, and Supply Chain
• Partner with suppliers to identify innovative materials and technologies
• Support regional and global sustainability initiatives, reducing environmental impact of packaging
• Contribute to standardization and simplification projects with global packaging teams
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and stay updated on packaging trends and legislation

What you'll need to be successful.

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging, Material Science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in packaging or FMCG environment (preferably food industry)
• Strong technical expertise in packaging materials, especially flexible plastics and paper
• Proven project management skills with successful delivery of complex projects
• Experience in cost optimization and supply chain loss analysis (preferred)
• Strong commercial and financial awareness
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in data tools (e.g., Excel, databases) and ability to learn internal systems
• Fluent in English; Dutch is a plus

This role requires occasional travel to McCain's headquarters in Villeneuve d'Ascq, France. Candidates are therefore expected to have a valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle.
Benefits of the role.

• Competitive salary package aligned with experience and market benchmarks.
• Opportunity to be a part of a global iconic brand, fun and high performing team
• A varied and responsible job in an effective and international team with flat hierarchies
• Local benefit (Health and Pension insurance)
• Work in an environment you actively help to shape and create.

Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. We're big believers in the power of working together in person-it helps us stay connected, collaborate more effectively, and grow as a team. At the same time, we recognize the importance of flexibility. Most office-based roles follow a hybrid model, with the option to work remotely two days a week. There may be exceptions depending on the role and location, so we encourage you to speak with your recruiter for more details.
About McCain.
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles.
At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.
The McCain experience.
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we're better together.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain's Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy , as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here .
Job Family: Research & Development
Division: Global Research and Development
Department: Value Engineering Packaging CE
Location(s): NL - Netherlands : Zeeland : Rilland
Company: McCain Foods Holland B.V.