Packaging & Filling Engineering Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Packaging & Filling Engineering Design Manager

Company: Flora Food Group

Location: Pratau, Germany (with potential for Poland - Katowice, Netherlands - Wageningen, Germany - Kleve)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Engineering & Manufacturing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-07-27

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads the global strategy and deployment of packaging equipment design, filling technologies, and packaging innovation initiatives.

• Shapes technical standards, drives innovation, and oversees the implementation of new packaging solutions across global operations.

• Combines engineering design leadership, technology strategy, innovation management, and Capex project oversight for packaging and filling platforms.

• Ensures packaging and filling systems meet future requirements for efficiency, sustainability, product flexibility, and performance.

• Collaborates with R&D, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Procurement, and external partners to define and deliver the packaging technology roadmap.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is highly strategic, focusing on the long-term vision and technical direction of packaging operations globally. It requires a blend of deep technical expertise, project management acumen, and leadership in driving innovation and sustainability within a large FMCG organization. The multiple potential locations indicate a global scope and potential for travel.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, develop, and deploy the global strategy for packaging equipment design, filling & packing technologies, and packaging innovation.

• Shape and enforce global technical standards for packaging equipment, filling systems, and complete packing lines.

• Lead the development of User Requirement Specifications (URS) documents, scope definitions, and design standards for packaging and filling equipment.

• Translate innovation and sustainability requirements into practical engineering specifications, ensuring consistency, safety, quality, and performance across global manufacturing sites.

• Drive technology scouting and innovation deployment by identifying, evaluating, and integrating new automation, digital, and equipment solutions.

• Champion sustainability initiatives, focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, decarbonisation, and circularity in packaging systems.

• Lead selected Capital Expenditure (Capex) projects from feasibility and concept design through execution, procurement support, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), commissioning, and start-up, with a focus on projects exceeding €5 million.

• Support manufacturing sites with troubleshooting, capacity improvements, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) optimisation, and debottlenecking specifically related to packaging and filling operations.

• Foster strong relationships with suppliers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and cross-functional teams to ensure successful technology deployment and project delivery in complex international environments.

• Act as a senior technical leader within the Global Engineering team, providing expertise and guidance on packaging and filling technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic global standards and hands-on project leadership, including significant Capex projects. The emphasis on sustainability, OEE optimisation, and debottlenecking points to a need for a results-oriented engineer with a strong understanding of manufacturing operational excellence.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Process, Mechatronics, or Packaging Engineering.

• Master’s degree is considered an advantage. Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in relevant engineering roles, with a significant portion focused on packaging engineering, filling systems, or packaging technology.

• Proven track record in managing mid- to large-scale Capex projects, specifically those exceeding €5 million.

• Experience within FMCG, Food & Beverage, or Dairy manufacturing environments is essential. Required Skills:

• Deep technical expertise in packaging equipment, materials, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), food safety standards, and automation.

• Proficiency in developing URS documents, technical standards, and detailed equipment specifications.

• Strong understanding of sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements and their translation into equipment and system design.

• Experience in working with suppliers, OEMs, and cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrated success in delivering innovation or technology deployment projects in complex, international environments.

• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work across multiple stakeholders and functions.

• Ability to work independently while aligning and leading global teams.

• Fluency in English is mandatory. Preferred Skills:

• Additional European languages are seen as a plus, facilitating communication across diverse operational sites.

• Experience with specific packaging technologies relevant to Flora Food Group's product portfolio.

• Knowledge of digital manufacturing technologies, Industry 4.0 concepts, and their application in packaging lines.

• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles and their application to packaging operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 10+ years of experience and managing large Capex projects (€5M+) indicates this is a senior, high-impact role. The emphasis on FMCG/Food & Beverage/Dairy backgrounds suggests a need for candidates familiar with the specific regulatory and operational demands of these industries, such as GMP and food safety.