R&D Packaging Development Manager - GxP

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World.
To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

British American Tobacco Italy has a great opportunity for a R&D Packaging Development Manager – GxPin Trieste.

Annual Gross Salary Pay Range: 56.300 € – 70,434 € B2-A2 Chemical Pharmaceutical CLA level

This role is responsible for leading the end-to-end development and lifecycle management of packaging systemswithin a GxP-regulated environment, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, quality standards, and business requirements.

You will work across the full product lifecycle, from early development through to commercial manufacturing and technology transfer, ensuring packaging solutions are compliant, robust, and fit for purpose within a regulated environment.

This role requires strong collaboration with Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, Product teams, and external suppliers to ensure compliant, robust, and scalable packaging solutions that meet GMP and broader GxP requirements.

This role is suited to a professional with 3–5 years of experience looking to deepen technical expertise and take ownership of defined projects or workstreams within a global environment.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Led and delivered end-to-end development of GxP-regulated packaging systems, progressing concepts through validation and commercialisation to ensure robust, compliant product launches
• Defined and implemented packaging specifications and acceptance criteria, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, product performance, and quality standards
• Developed and executed packaging validation strategies (DQ/IQ/OQ/PQ), generating data to support regulatory submissions and ensure manufacturing readiness
• Resolved complex packaging and manufacturing challenges, identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions to improve performance and reliability
• Authored and managed GxP documentation (protocols, reports, specifications), ensuring full compliance and audit readiness across development and lifecycle stages
• Collaborated with suppliers, CMOs, and cross-functional teams to deliver successful scale-up, technology transfer, and industrialisation, ensuring packaging robustness in production environments
• Acted as packaging subject matter expert (SME) within cross-functional teams, driving decision-making, innovation, cost optimisation, and sustainability initiatives
• Travel to suppliers/plants to support development/fine-tuning and or specification release
• Attend Material Qualification trials and first off production runs at our manufacturing sites and at suppliers as required
• Establish strong technical relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Rigids Plastics

• Lead end-to-end development of injection moulded packaging, from concept evaluation through to commercialisation, ensuring robust and scalable solutions
• Define and implement technical specifications and acceptance criteria for moulds and components, enabling successful tooling procurement and industrialisation
• Plan and execute pilot and production trials, ensuring timely delivery and successful project launch
• Manage suppliers and drive process optimisation through testing and data-driven analysis, ensuring delivery to quality, cost, and timing standards

What are we looking for?

EXPERIENCE, Skills, Knowledge:

• 3–5+ years’ experience in pharmaceutical packaging development and ability to lead complex development of Injection Moulding packaging (plastic and metal) and flexible plastic packaging, experience of developing complex injection moulded packaging.
• Knowledge Regulatory requirements (GMP/GxP, FDA, ISO)
• Experience with: Stability and compatibility testing, Packaging validation (Design Qualification/Installation Qualification/Operational Qualification/Performance Qualification) and documentation systems
• Knowledge of use and properties of common plastic materials especially polyolefins and global sustainability developments in plastics.
• Working knowledge of developing and validating Child Resistant/Senior Effective packaging
• Experience of using CAD software (Solidworks, AutoCad etc.) and FEMS software (MoldFlow)
• Knowledge of designing and modelling packaging to meet product stability requirements and consumer useability criteria.
• Experience of rapid prototyping techniques especially related to development of injection moulded packaging.
• Strong engineering analysis skills including tolerance analysis, DFA, DFM, DFMEA, validation and documentation
• Experience of working effectively in a global, cross functional team and a multi-category packaging team.

Interpersonal Skills Required

• Effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork.
• Resilience, empathy, self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
• Persistence, tolerance to ambiguity, assertiveness and learning agility
• Keep abreast of packaging sustainability, global sourcing development, trends, etc.
• Planning and implementation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CAPE, Adobe Illustrator and other software used in packaging.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS / CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in: Packaging Engineering or Mechanical / Materials Engineering or Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Project Management certificate

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes
• Benefits:
  • Meal Voucher/ Canteen as per location
  • Private Pension
  • Life & Health Insurance
  • Yearly bonus based on the ABS
  • Family support policy
  • Office perks
  • Flexible policy as per agreed Second Level agreement.

WHY JOIN BAT?

We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

Collaboration, inclusion and partnership underpin everything we do here at BAT. We are looking forward to enabling every individual to thrive, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, veteran status, perspectives and thinking styles. We know that embracing talent from all backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals.

We see the career breaks as opportunities not obstacles. Through The Global Returners program, we support professionals looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce (e.g. time out caring for family, parental leave, national service, sabbatical and/or starting an own venture).

Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award-winning employee experience here.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to notify us. We are fully committed to support you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.