R&D Packaging Technologist

  • All Posting Locations: Hastings, Hawke's Bay, NZ
  • Job Functions: Research & Development
  • Date Published: July 9, 2025
  • Ref#: R-94238

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An office with Kraft Heinz product images on the wall
a 4 pack of raspberry jell-o

About the Role

Job Description

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

Summary

Join our team as a Packaging R&D professional and play a key role in driving innovation and growth at Kraft Heinz. As a member of our team, you will develop and improve packaging solutions for new and existing products, ensuring alignment with marketing and production goals. You will work in a safe, responsible, and sustainable manner, upholding our company values and contributing to our vision for a better future

Key responsibilities

  • Initiate and lead packaging projects for new product development, cost reduction, quality improvement, and process enhancement.

  • Deliver projects on time and to a high standard through effective project management.

  • Design packaging solutions that minimize total cost (materials, operations, and logistics) while meeting project requirements.

  • Ensure packaging designs comply with the Australian Packaging Covenant and New Zealand Packaging Stewardship scheme.

  • Develop and control packaging specifications and associated documentation.

  • Collaborate with packaging suppliers to stay up-to-date on industry developments and innovations.

  • Position Heinz as a leader in innovative packaging solutions to maximize profit.

  • Ensure suppliers provide optimal packaging performance, cost, and innovation.

  • Provide technical support to other departments on packaging-related issues.

  • Maintain accurate and relevant packaging specifications and technical documents.

About you

  • Degree in Science, Technology or Engineering

  • Qualification in Packaging Technology

  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in an FMCG company in a packaging or technical related field.

  • Ability to work in a team environment or autonomously to resolve problems and improve systems.

  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills

  • Excellent problem solving and analytical skills

  • Good project management, planning and organization skills

  • Strong technical understanding of packaging materials

  • Strong technical understanding of canning, bottle, glass and pouch materials and processes

About us

  • Hybrid Working – Flexibility around when and where you work

  • Pay for Performance – industry leading variable compensation offerings tied to company and individual performance on top of a competitive base salary package

  • Parental Leave – paid time off for both primary AND secondary caregivers

  • Leave Options – Purchased leave, volunteer leave and LiveWell leave programs

  • Novated Leasing

  • Great Place to Work certification in Australia and New Zealand

  • In House Training Programs

#LI-DNI

Location(s)

King Street

 

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.

Digital at Kraft Heinz

The
Builders

Our Digital team empowers every aspect of our business.

Discovering what’s next in food using Python, Azure ML and Alteryx. Building and designing apps. Improving our supply chain.

We’re bringing agility to beloved brands across the globe — making life delicious for our customers and communities, today and tomorrow.

A group of people sitting around a laptop
a jar of Kraft Crunchy Peanut Butter

HR at Kraft Heinz

The
Facilitators

People are what makes Kraft Heinz great. Today. And tomorrow.

In Human Resources, we’re finding and developing great talent to continue our legacy. We’re here for every colleague, for their performance and their wellbeing.

Together, we’re helping everyone to grow their own way.

A woman is talking to another woman at an event.
a jar of Heinz Garlic Sauce

Manufacturing at Kraft Heinz

The
Makers

Our Manufacturing team is a fully-integrated end-to-end supply chain. We’re the backbone of Kraft Heinz. The people behind the products, delivering the highest quality and value.

Whether you’re a seasoned manufacturing veteran or new to the world of plants, there’s tons of opportunity for career growth and development.

NEED ALT
a squeeze bottle of Wattie's Steak Sauce

Marketing at Kraft Heinz

The
Strategizers

Our Marketing team are the voice of our consumers. Connecting the right people, to the right products, with the right messages and campaigns.

We’re the architects of category growth, making sure our brands are front and center — winning the battle for attention in the minds of people everywhere.

A group of people sitting around a table with a laptop.
a package of Maxwell House Vanilla Iced Latte foam

R&D at Kraft Heinz

The
Creators

Our Research and Development team creates high-quality products that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Innovation is what gets us up in the morning!

Whether you want to develop your technical skills or grow as a people manager, there’s a place for you here to advance your career.

NEED ALT
a box of Delimex Chicken Taquitos

Sales at Kraft Heinz

The
Connectors

Our Sales team drives multibillion dollar distribution strategies. And we do this across channels and across the whole world!

We thrive wherever consumers can meet iconic and innovative brands — in retail, on-trade, and B2B. We’re the closest people to our customers, getting our products to the right people, in the right places.

Man smiling and sitting at a table
a package of Heinz by Nature tomato mozarella pasta
Collage of Traci

Hear from
our people

“Kraft Heinz doesn’t just talk about their values, they live it every day.”

Traci
Senior Customer Sales Manager

Collage of photos of Michael

Hear from
our people

“The best is yet to come at Kraft Heinz. I’ve experienced the launch of a new purpose, new vision and values. Now I’m seeing all of those things truly take shape and that is very exciting.”

Michael
Associate Director Pension

Headshot of Manetta

Hear from
our people

“The best thing about working at Kraft Heinz are the benefits and opportunities for growth and career development.”

Manetta
Talent acquisition Specialist

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About Us

Kraft Heinz is a global food company with a delicious heritage.  Our emerging and iconic food and beverage brands deliver the best taste, fun, and quality to every table we touch. Worldwide.

We’re on a mission to disrupt not only our own business, but the global food industry. Consumer obsession and unexpected partnerships fuel our progress. As we drive innovation company-wide.

Our people are connected by a culture of ownership, agility and endless curiosity. We believe in being good humans — working to improve our company, communities, and planet.

We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more thrilled about where we’re headed as we nourish the world and lead the future of food.

Why Us

We grow our people to grow our business. We champion great people who bring ambition, curiosity, and high performance to the table as the guardians of our iconic and nostalgic brands.

Good isn’t good enough. We choose greatness every day by making bold decisions and challenging what’s ordinary. All while celebrating our wins – and failures – as we work together to transform the future of food.

An office with Kraft Heinz product images on the wall