Almarai — the world’s largest vertically integrated dairy company and the #1 FMCG Brand in the MENA region — is seeking an experienced Senior Packaging Technologist to join its dynamic team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is a senior-level packaging innovation role where you will lead the development, evaluation, and implementation of packaging solutions across Almarai’s diverse product portfolio, drive New Product Development (NPD) packaging initiatives, conduct and manage packaging trials, and act as Packaging Development Lead on promotional packaging projects. Almarai offers a competitive package, generous leave, medical coverage, and strong training and development programs.
40,000+Employees Worldwide
220,000+Retail Outlets Served
SAR 20.97BSales Revenue 2024
#1FMCG Brand in MENA
About the Company — Almarai, Riyadh Saudi Arabia
Global Position: World’s largest vertically integrated dairy and MENA’s largest food & beverage manufacturing and distribution company
Headquarters: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — serving GCC, Egypt, and Jordan markets
Revenue: SAR 20.97 Billion in sales and SAR 2.31 Billion net income reported in 2024
Portfolio: Market leader across all product categories in the GCC — dairy, juice, bakery, poultry, and more
Growth: Aggressive expansion program with new acquisitions across vertical markets creating exciting career opportunities
Why This Senior Packaging Technologist Role at Almarai Stands Out
Iconic FMCG Brand: Shape packaging innovation for the #1 FMCG brand in the MENA region — impacting products used daily by millions of consumers
Senior Leadership: Lead packaging implementation across Almarai and its entire supplier network — high-visibility, cross-functional role
NPD & Innovation: Drive new product packaging from concept through trials to launch — real creativity and technical ownership in one role
Career Growth: Join an expanding multinational with structured training, development, and clear career progression in packaging and R&D
Position Overview
The Senior Packaging Technologist at Almarai Riyadh is a technically demanding and strategically important role at the heart of the company’s packaging development function. You will lead the introduction and implementation of new packaging specifications across Almarai and its supplier network, plan and execute packaging trials, provide expert technical guidance on packaging design, material selection, and functionality, collaborate with cross-functional teams spanning NPD, Procurement, Quality, and Operations, and drive continuous improvement and innovation in packaging technologies and sustainability. As Packaging Development Lead on promotional packaging projects, you will manage stakeholders and deliver results that directly impact Almarai’s market-leading brand presence across the GCC.
Why This Role Matters: As Senior Packaging Technologist at Almarai, you sit at the intersection of innovation, quality, supply chain, and brand — ensuring that the world’s largest dairy FMCG company consistently delivers packaging solutions that protect product integrity, delight consumers, meet food safety regulations, support NPD launches, drive sustainability goals, and give Almarai a competitive edge in the highly contested GCC food and beverage market. Your technical expertise will shape products reaching over 220,000 retail outlets across the region.
Key Responsibilities
New Packaging Specification Implementation
- Lead the end-to-end introduction and implementation of new packaging specifications across Almarai’s internal operations and its extensive supplier network — from brief to commercial launch
- Act as the primary Packaging Development Lead on promotional and NPD packaging projects — managing all stakeholders, timelines, and technical deliverables to ensure successful on-time delivery
- Liaise with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to ensure new packaging specifications are commercially viable, supply-chain compatible, and successfully onboarded across the supplier base
Packaging Trials — Planning, Execution & Reporting
- Plan, design, execute, and report on comprehensive packaging trials to validate the performance, functionality, and commercial feasibility of new packaging materials and formats
- Analyze trial results against defined acceptance criteria and prepare clear, detailed technical reports with findings and recommendations for cross-functional stakeholder review
- Manage packaging trial logistics — coordinating with Operations, Quality, and Production teams to ensure trials are executed safely, efficiently, and at the appropriate commercial scale
Technical Packaging Expertise & Design
- Provide deep technical expertise in packaging design, materials selection — including primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging — and functionality optimization across Almarai’s diverse FMCG product portfolio
- Evaluate new packaging materials, formats, and technologies in the context of product protection, shelf life, consumer experience, sustainability goals, and cost efficiency
- Maintain and develop technical packaging standards, specifications, and documentation that reflect best practices across the FMCG packaging industry
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely and proactively with cross-functional teams across NPD, Procurement, Quality Assurance, Operations, Marketing, and Logistics to deliver integrated packaging solutions aligned with business objectives
- Identify and resolve packaging-related challenges — including logistics compatibility, supply chain constraints, quality compliance, and cost pressure — with practical, technically sound solutions
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with external packaging suppliers, material vendors, and technical consultants to support packaging development activities
Innovation, Sustainability & Compliance
- Drive continuous improvement and innovation in packaging technologies — actively researching market trends, emerging materials, and sustainable packaging solutions applicable to Almarai’s portfolio
- Lead and champion packaging sustainability initiatives — evaluating eco-friendly materials, lightweighting opportunities, recyclability improvements, and packaging waste reduction across the product range
- Ensure all packaging solutions comply fully with food safety, product quality, and applicable regulatory requirements across all GCC and export markets where Almarai operates
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Packaging Technology, Engineering, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field
- Professional certification or diploma in Packaging Technology is preferred and will strengthen your application significantly
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 5+ years of proven, hands-on experience in packaging development and implementation within the FMCG, food, or beverage industry
- Strong, demonstrable experience in planning, conducting, and managing packaging trials across commercial-scale manufacturing environments
- Solid working knowledge of packaging materials science, structural packaging design principles, and supply chain considerations relevant to large-scale FMCG operations
Key Skills for Success
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills — essential for cross-functional collaboration, supplier management, and senior stakeholder reporting
- Proven track record of delivering results and managing complex packaging projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
- Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills — able to identify root causes of packaging challenges and develop practical, cost-effective solutions
- Deep knowledge of food safety, quality compliance, and packaging regulatory requirements across GCC and international markets
About Almarai — World’s Largest Dairy FMCG
Almarai is headquartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and stands as the world’s largest vertically integrated dairy company and the MENA region’s largest food and beverage manufacturing and distribution business. Ranked #1 FMCG Brand across the GCC with sales of SAR 20.97 Billion in 2024, Almarai operates one of the most sophisticated supply chains in the food industry — serving over 220,000 retail outlets across Saudi Arabia, the GCC, Egypt, and Jordan with a workforce of over 40,000 dedicated professionals. An aggressive expansion program and new acquisitions make this an extraordinarily exciting time to join the Almarai team.
Career Excellence: Almarai is committed to developing its people through world-class training, structured career pathways, and a culture of continuous improvement and innovation — making it one of the most respected employers in the MENA FMCG sector.
Who Should Apply?
- Senior Packaging Technologists: With 5+ years of FMCG packaging development experience and a proven record of delivering new packaging specifications from concept to commercial launch
- Packaging Engineers: With dairy, food, or beverage industry background and strong technical knowledge of packaging materials, trials management, and supply chain integration
- NPD Packaging Specialists: With experience leading packaging development on new product launches and promotional packaging projects in large-scale FMCG environments
- Food Technology Graduates: With 5+ years of hands-on packaging development and a professional packaging certification seeking a senior role at a world-class FMCG company in Saudi Arabia
- Packaging Innovation Managers: With sustainability-focused packaging expertise and strong cross-functional stakeholder management skills ready for a senior career opportunity at Almarai Riyadh
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