Role: Packaging & Innovation development Assistant

 Histon, Cambridgeshire (Hybrid) Full Time | Permanent (UK Driving Licence Required)

Start Your Career in Packaging Innovation with Hain Celestial.

Are you someone who is curious about how products make it to supermarket shelves? Interested in packaging, sustainability, food manufacturing, innovation, or product development?

At Hain Celestial UK, we're home to some of the UK's best-loved brands, including Hartley's, Ella's Kitchen, Linda McCartney's, Robertson's, Yorkshire Provender, Cully & Sully, New Covent Garden Soup Co. and more.

We're looking for a Packaging & Innovation Development Executive to join our Group R&D team. This is a fantastic junior-level opportunity for someone looking to build a long-term career within packaging, innovation, product development, or food manufacturing.

You'll work closely with experienced leaders across Packaging and R&D, gaining hands-on exposure to packaging development projects, sustainability initiatives, factory trials, and the technical processes that support some of the UK's favourite food brands.

If you're highly organised, enjoy administration and project coordination, have excellent attention to detail, and are keen to learn, we'd love to hear from you.

What Makes This Opportunity Special?

This isn't just an administration role.

It's an opportunity to learn from experienced Packaging and R&D professionals, gaining exposure to:

• Packaging innovation and development
• Sustainability initiatives and environmental improvements
• Product launches and packaging changes
• Manufacturing and factory trial processes
• Food industry legislation and compliance
• Supplier management and material sourcing
• Technical project management

You'll be supported by our Group Senior Packaging Manager and become an integral part of projects that help shape the future of our products and packaging.

What You'll Be Doing

Supporting Packaging Development Projects

• Assist in the development and implementation of packaging solutions across multiple UK manufacturing sites.
• Support packaging trials, material testing, shelf-life assessments and transit trials.
• Help evaluate packaging performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Technical Administration & Documentation

• Create and maintain packaging specifications, technical records and supporting documentation.
• Ensure packaging information is accurate, up to date and compliant.
• Manage project information and maintain key databases and documentation systems.
• Support the administration of packaging development projects from concept through to implementation.

Sustainability & Innovation

• Support projects focused on reducing waste and improving environmental performance.
• Research emerging packaging materials, technologies and sustainability trends.
• Help identify opportunities to improve packaging performance and reduce environmental impact.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work alongside Packaging, R&D, Quality, Manufacturing and Procurement teams.
• Support supplier communications and material evaluations.
• Assist with investigations into packaging-related issues and coordinate follow-up actions.

Learning & Development

• Build technical knowledge across a wide range of packaging formats and materials.
• Develop an understanding of packaging legislation, compliance requirements and industry standards.
• Learn how packaging decisions impact food safety, quality, sustainability and manufacturing efficiency.

Who We're Looking For

This role could be ideal for:

• A recent graduate or college leaver interested in Packaging, Food Science, Product Development or Sustainability.
• Someone with experience in an administrative, project support or food manufacturing environment who wants to develop a specialist career.
• A candidate looking to gain exposure to innovation and packaging within a leading FMCG business.
• Someone who enjoys organisation, managing information and supporting projects while learning from experienced professionals.

What You'll Bring

Essential

• Excellent administration and organisational skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office.
• Confident communication skills and the ability to work with different teams.
• A proactive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Strong planning and time management skills.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable

• Experience within food manufacturing, FMCG or a technical environment.
• Education or qualifications related to Food, Packaging, Science, Sustainability or Product Development.
• An understanding of packaging materials such as plastics, paperboard, corrugated materials, glass or metal.

The Type of Person Who Will Thrive Here

You'll enjoy this role if you:

• Love learning new things.
• Enjoy being organised and managing information.
• Have a genuine interest in sustainability and innovation.
• Like asking questions and understanding how things work.
• Have a keen eye for detail.
• Enjoy working with different teams and stakeholders.
• Want a career that offers progression and development opportunities.

Location & Travel

This role is based at our Histon, Cambridgeshire office, operating on a hybrid basis.

As you'll support multiple UK manufacturing sites, occasional travel will be required. A full UK driving licence is essential.

Why Join Hain Celestial?

At Hain Celestial, we're passionate about creating healthier food and drink choices through some of the UK's most recognised brands. This role offers a unique opportunity to learn from experienced Packaging and R&D leaders while building specialist knowledge in an area that is becoming increasingly important within the food industry.

Whether your long-term ambition is Packaging, Innovation, Sustainability, Product Development or Technical Management, this role provides an excellent foundation to develop your career within a leading FMCG business.

If you're eager to learn, enjoy being organised, and want to be part of shaping the future of food packaging, we'd love to hear from you.