A leading FMCG food manufacturing company specialised in bakery, sweets, and packaged food products is actively seeking a talented and innovative Packaging Development Specialist to join its team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In this exciting and hands-on role, you will be fully responsible for developing and improving packaging solutions that align with product quality, operational requirements, and food safety standards. With a strong focus on innovation, cost efficiency, and brand integrity, this is a career-defining opportunity for packaging professionals who want to make a visible impact in Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing FMCG food sector.
About the Company — FMCG Food Manufacturing KSA
Sector: Specialised FMCG food manufacturing — bakery, pastry, sweets, confectionery, and packaged food products
Market: Operating within Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding food manufacturing and FMCG retail sector
Operations: Integrated production environment covering manufacturing, quality, procurement, and commercial functions
Standards: Full compliance with food safety regulations and food-grade packaging standards across all product lines
Focus: Continuous innovation in packaging design, materials, and technology to support product quality and brand growth
Why This Packaging Role in Riyadh Stands Out
Innovation-Led Role: Drive real packaging innovation — materials, technologies, and design — not just maintain the status quo
Cross-Functional Impact: Work directly with production, quality, procurement, and marketing teams on every project
Category Breadth: Cover bakery, pastry, sweets, confectionery, and snacks — one of the richest packaging portfolios in FMCG
Career Growth: Join a growing Saudi food manufacturing business at a pivotal moment of product portfolio expansion
Position Overview
This Packaging Development Specialist role in Riyadh sits at the centre of a dynamic food manufacturing environment where packaging is not just a container — it is a critical component of product quality, shelf life, brand identity, and customer experience. You will lead packaging development projects from concept through to production implementation, conducting supplier evaluations, running packaging trials, monitoring performance in live production settings, and maintaining all relevant documentation and specifications. Your work will directly influence how the company’s bakery, sweets, and FMCG products are protected, presented, and perceived by consumers across the Saudi market and beyond.
Why This Role Matters: As Packaging Development Specialist in Riyadh’s FMCG sector, your decisions directly affect product integrity, shelf life performance, food safety compliance, and the visual brand experience for consumers. From selecting the right food-grade packaging material to running trials that validate durability and aesthetics on the production line, you are the bridge between operational efficiency and market-facing brand excellence — a role that touches every part of the business and every product on the shelf.
Key Responsibilities
Packaging Development & Innovation
- Develop and continuously improve packaging solutions for bakery, pastry, sweets, confectionery, and broad FMCG food product ranges.
- Research and evaluate new packaging materials, formats, and technologies that can enhance product protection, shelf life, and consumer appeal.
- Lead packaging design and development projects from initial brief and concept through to full-scale production implementation.
- Drive packaging innovation initiatives that differentiate the company’s products on shelf while maintaining cost efficiency and brand consistency.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Coordinate closely with production, quality assurance, procurement, and marketing teams to ensure all packaging solutions are fully compatible with operational requirements.
- Align packaging development timelines and deliverables with new product launch schedules, production planning, and commercial priorities.
- Act as the internal packaging expert — providing technical guidance to all teams on material suitability, specifications, and supplier options.
- Facilitate smooth communication between internal departments and external packaging suppliers throughout all development projects.
Supplier Sourcing & Material Evaluation
- Source, qualify, and evaluate packaging material suppliers and manufacturers — assessing capability, quality, compliance, and commercial competitiveness.
- Manage ongoing supplier relationships, performance monitoring, and periodic re-evaluation to ensure supply security and value for money.
- Assess new packaging materials, printing techniques, and labelling technologies for their suitability within food manufacturing environments.
- Negotiate packaging material specifications and terms with suppliers in alignment with procurement and quality teams.
Packaging Trials, Testing & Performance Monitoring
- Plan, execute, and evaluate packaging trials on the production line to validate functionality, durability, machine compatibility, and product protection performance.
- Monitor packaging performance against key parameters including structural integrity, shelf life extension, product presentation, and moisture or contamination protection.
- Identify and investigate packaging failures, performance gaps, or quality issues — implement corrective actions and validate improvements through further trials.
- Maintain detailed records of all trial outcomes, test results, and performance data to inform future packaging decisions and specifications.
Compliance, Cost Optimisation & Documentation
- Ensure all packaging solutions comply fully with Saudi food safety regulations, food-grade material standards, and applicable international packaging requirements.
- Support cost optimisation initiatives across the packaging function — identifying savings opportunities without compromising product quality or brand image.
- Prepare, update, and maintain comprehensive packaging specifications, technical data sheets, and all related compliance documentation.
- Contribute to continuous improvement projects that enhance packaging efficiency, reduce material waste, and support the company’s sustainability objectives.
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Food Technology, Materials Science, or a closely related technical discipline.
- Additional certification or training in food safety, packaging design, or materials science is a valued and welcomed advantage.
Experience Requirements
- Previous hands-on experience in packaging development within an FMCG, food manufacturing, or related consumer goods production environment.
- Preferred background specifically in bakery, confectionery, snacks, or food production packaging — candidates with this experience will be prioritised.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple packaging development projects simultaneously from brief through to successful commercial implementation.
Essential Skills
- Solid working knowledge of packaging materials, printing and labelling processes, and food-grade packaging standards and regulations.
- Strong cross-functional coordination and interpersonal communication skills — able to work effectively with production, quality, procurement, and marketing teams.
- Detail-oriented and highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects under deadline pressure without compromising quality.
- Analytical and problem-solving mindset — able to identify packaging performance issues and develop practical, tested solutions efficiently.
About the Employer
This is a well-established FMCG food manufacturing business in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, specialising in the production of bakery products, pastries, sweets, and confectionery for the domestic and regional market. With a strong commitment to product quality, food safety, and continuous innovation, the company is investing in its packaging capability as a key driver of product differentiation, shelf appeal, and operational efficiency. The organisation operates an integrated production environment where packaging development works hand-in-hand with manufacturing, quality, procurement, and commercial teams to deliver outstanding products to market every day.
Preferred Background: Candidates with experience in bakery, confectionery, snacks, or food production packaging environments are strongly encouraged to apply and will receive priority consideration.
Who Should Apply?
- Packaging Development Professionals: With hands-on FMCG or food manufacturing packaging experience looking to advance their career in Saudi Arabia’s growing food sector.
- Industrial & Packaging Engineers: With a background in food-grade material selection, packaging trials, and supplier management within bakery, confectionery, or snacks categories.
- Food Technology Graduates: Who have transitioned into packaging roles and have a strong understanding of food safety compliance, shelf life management, and production line requirements.
- FMCG Packaging Specialists: Currently working in packaging development, NPD, or technical roles in food manufacturing and seeking a new challenge in Riyadh’s vibrant FMCG market.
- Packaging Project Managers: Experienced in coordinating multi-team packaging development projects from concept to commercialisation in fast-paced food production environments.
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