Innovation & Process Development Technical Lead

Job Title:                    Technical Lead – Innovation & Process Development

Department:               Innovation

Location:                    Coppice / Sirane & PFF

Reports to:                Head of Innovation (dotted reporting line to the Divisional GM)

 

Role Purpose & Scope

The Technical Lead – Innovation & Process Development provides technical leadership and practical support across the Coppice, Sirane and PFF businesses, ensuring new products, customer trials, sampling activities and value engineering initiatives are delivered effectively. The role supports the innovation pipeline by assessing technical feasibility, manufacturing capability, compliance requirements and supplier performance to enable successful product launches and continuous improvement across the product portfolio.

The role acts as a key technical packaging expert, working across Innovation, Commercial, Operations, Quality, Sustainability and Supply Chain functions to translate customer requirements into viable manufacturing solutions while supporting business growth, operational excellence and sustainable product development.

The role provides technical leadership across cross-functional projects, influences decisions relating to product development, supplier capability and process improvement, and identifies technical risks and opportunities to support the successful implementation of new products, materials and technologies.

Our Culture & Values

At Coppice, we work as one team, grounded in integrity, accountability and continuous improvement. We encourage open communication, problem solving, and taking ownership end‑to‑end to deliver great outcomes for our customers.

 

We value mastery, commercial discipline, and purposeful action — escalating blockers early and maintaining momentum. Innovation, sustainability, and quality underpin everything we do, and every colleague contributes to strengthening the customer experience.

           

Key Responsibilities

 

Sampling, Trials & Customer Support

·       Drive the production commissioning and customer trial process, ensuring sample requests are delivered on time and in full.

·       Provide technical support to customers, commercial teams and operational stakeholders throughout product trials and sampling activities.

·       Capture trial outcomes, technical learnings and customer feedback to support decision-making and future product development.

·       Improve customer satisfaction through effective trial planning, execution and technical problem-solving.

 

Technical Feasibility & Product Launch

·       Assess technical feasibility and manufacturing requirements to support successful product launches across Coppice / Sirane or PFF.

·       Translate customer, commercial and innovation requirements into practical technical and manufacturing solutions.

·       Lead technical assessment activities supporting scale-up, commissioning and implementation of new products, processes and materials.

·       Identify technical risks early and provide recommendations, mitigation actions and escalation plans.

·       Ensure all products meet applicable quality, compliance, sustainability and customer requirements.

·       Maintain robust technical documentation, trial records and project governance information.

 

Supplier Development, Value Engineering & Innovation

·       Develop supplier capability to support innovation, alternative materials and manufacturing process improvements.

·       Deliver value engineering initiatives that balance cost, quality, performance, sustainability and manufacturability.

·       Support the development and execution of the innovation pipeline across both businesses.

·       Identify opportunities to improve materials, products and manufacturing processes through structured technical evaluation.

·       Support commercial and operational decision-making through evidence-based technical recommendations.

 

Stakeholder Communication & Collaboration

·       Provide timely updates to the Head of Innovation and Divisional General Manager regarding project progress, risks, trial outcomes and launch readiness.

·       Communicate technical recommendations and project outcomes to NPD, Commercial, Operations, Quality, Sustainability and ESG stakeholders.

·       Lead structured handovers for new products, materials and process changes, ensuring responsibilities, risks, timelines and success measures are clearly understood.

·       Engage suppliers regarding material performance, technical improvements, corrective actions and development opportunities.

·       Support customer-facing discussions relating to packaging performance, trial feedback, feasibility assessments and proposed technical solutions.

 

Measures of Success (KPIs)

·      Achieve agreed OTIF targets for customer first samples and trial activities.

·      Deliver successful technical feasibility assessments and launch readiness reviews for innovation projects.

·      Support implementation of new products, materials and processes within agreed project timelines.

·      Deliver measurable value engineering improvements in cost, quality, performance and sustainability.

·      Maintain compliance with customer, quality, food safety and regulatory requirements.

·      Demonstrate effective collaboration and stakeholder satisfaction across all functions.

 

Key Relationships

 

Internal

·       Head of Innovation – project governance, technical direction and innovation priorities.

·       Divisional General Manager – business performance, escalation and strategic alignment.

·       NPD Team – innovation development and implementation.

·       Operations & Production Teams – manufacturing readiness and product launch support.

·       Quality Team – compliance, quality assurance and governance.

·       Sustainability & ESG Teams – regulatory compliance and sustainable product development.

·       Commercial Teams – customer requirements, feasibility and solution development.

 

External

·       Customers – product trials, technical support and development activities.

·       Suppliers – material development, technical evaluation and value engineering projects.

·       Industry Partners, Contractors and Service Providers – technical development, commissioning and project support activities.

 

Required Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

·       Degree or equivalent qualification in Packaging, Packaging Technology, Engineering, Materials Science or a related discipline.

·       Experience within food packaging manufacturing or a similar manufacturing environment. (aluminium, absorbency or plastics experience a benefit)

·       Experience supporting customer trials, product development and new product introduction activities.

·       Strong understanding of packaging materials, converting processes and manufacturing technologies.

·       Knowledge of packaging legislation, quality standards and sustainability requirements within the UK and European markets.

·       Demonstrated ability to assess technical feasibility and translate customer requirements into practical manufacturing solutions.

·       Experience managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

·       Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

·       Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.

·       Ability to build effective working relationships with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.

·       Proficient in Microsoft Office and business systems used for project management, reporting and technical documentation.

·       Commitment to continuous improvement, safety, quality and customer satisfaction.

 

Desirable

·       Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing or equivalent continuous improvement qualification.

·       Experience in supplier development and value engineering programmes.

·       Knowledge of sustainable packaging technologies and emerging industry trends.

·       Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing environments.

·       Experience supporting the installation, testing, validation and implementation of new manufacturing equipment, processes or production lines.

·       Experience working closely with commercial teams and customers to develop bespoke packaging solutions.

·       Knowledge of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles as they relate to packaging and product development.

·       Experience of managing technical aspects of product scale-up and manufacturing implementation.

·       Understanding of project management methodologies and stage-gate product development processes.

 

Competencies

 

Coppice Behavioural Expectations

Coppice colleagues are expected to work in a way that supports teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, customer focus, safety, honesty and practical problem solving.

Demonstrates credible technical leadership, commercial awareness and the ability to influence stakeholders across innovation, operations, quality, sustainability and customer-facing teams.

 

Role-Specific Technical Competencies

·       Technical feasibility assessment and risk management.

·       Packaging materials and manufacturing process expertise.

·       New product development, scale-up and implementation.

·       Supplier development and relationship management.

·       Value engineering and continuous improvement.

·       Packaging sustainability and regulatory compliance.

·       Project management and cross-functional coordination.

·       Root cause analysis and structured problem-solving.

·       Technical documentation, governance and change control.

·       Data-driven decision-making and performance reporting.

 

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

·      The role supports both Coppice/Sirane or two PFF locations and may involve time spent across manufacturing, technical, trial and office environments.

·      Working hours are aligned to business and project requirements, with flexibility required to support customer trials, sampling and launch activities.

·      The role may require attendance in production areas to review materials, equipment, manufacturing processes and trials.

·      Exposure to normal manufacturing conditions, including operational equipment, noise and temperature variation, may be expected.

·      Appropriate PPE must be worn and all health, safety, hygiene and quality procedures must be followed.

 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals and are dedicated to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone.

 

Additional Information

This job description is not exhaustive and may be updated in line with business needs. Other duties may be assigned as required.