R&D Packaging Intern

We are looking for an enthusiastic R&D Packaging intern. Would you like to help Pladis achieve its packaging ambitions and be part of the change? Read on!

Definition

The R&D packaging team at Pladis focuses on developing and delivering packaging innovations, renovations and optimizations to market, on time and within budget, in close cooperation with marketing, operations, procurement, quality and supply chain. The team also leads the way towards sustainable packaging, aiming for 100% of the portfolio to be recycle ready, amongst other initiatives.

The internship entails a combination of various activities involving technical documentation management as well as practical project work, including trial execution at factories and co-manufacturers, lab measurement, and collaboration with suppliers. This role offers a unique opportunity to combine technical expertise with creative thinking in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

Key responsibilities and achievements

• Structuring and maintaining a technical central database for packaging material and finished product specifications for European sites and co-manufacturing.
• Creating and updating the packaging visual standards (VST) for the product portfolio.
• Assisting the packaging team in trial execution, pilot plant testing and reporting.
• Assisting the packaging technologist on plant troubleshooting and data collection on specific issues.
• Opportunity to lead an individual project for recycle ready or productivity packaging under supervision of the Head of Packaging.
• Ensuring that all work is carried out in a safe and hygienic manner, following factory or bakery general manufacturing practices (GMPs).
• Supporting the project manager and/or Head of Packaging in effective scheduling of project tasks and identification of resource requirements such as time, money and people.
• Raising any technical or project-related issues that might affect quality, cost or time of delivery with the project manager and/or Head of Packaging.
• Keeping comprehensive records of all work carried out and reporting results and recommendations as appropriate.

Who are you?

• Passionate about packaging.
• 3rd or 4th year student with a Bachelor or Master degree in Food Science (packaging specialization), Technical Packaging, Industrial Engineering or similar.
• Proficient at managing large data sets and Excel.
• Self-starter and quick learner.
• Proactive and creative approach to problem solving.
• Able to work autonomously and organize time to manage more than one task simultaneously.
• Comfortable building new working relationships and networks with various functions within a business.
• Enjoys variety in the day-to-day role.
• Able to work proficiently in both written and spoken English; Dutch is advantageous.
• Available for five or six months and five days a week.

What we offer

We offer a unique opportunity to work at a large international FMCG company with well-known Dutch brands. The corporate culture is informal with a lot of attention for teamwork and results. Within this position you have many responsibilities and a wide range of tasks in which you can express your qualities. You become part of an enthusiastic, compact team and are in close contact with other departments, both commercial and factory. Finally, as an employee of Verkade, you will of course receive free cookies!

About the company

Pladis is one of the world's leading snacking companies, bringing together bakers and chocolatiers across a global community.