Technical Food Packaging Specialist

This is the professional that leads research into the application of new packaging materials, new containers and packaging, and protective atmospheres and improvements. All of this within a strategy of the launching of new products, improvement of the current containers and/or the adaptation to new container technologies and the conditioning of foodstuffs. Their objectives are one or more of the following: cost optimisation, functionality, adaptation to the needs of the customer (who is the consumer, who can be the shopkeeper) or consumer (who consumes the foodstuff), improve the conservation of the product or give it brand identity.

• Take on new innovations and technologies that emerge in the packaging and containers market and analyse, evaluate and validate their application in foods processed by the company.
• Define and manage research projects in the application of new packaging materials, new packaging designs or other complements used (eg. packaging gas).
• Propose an action plan, coordinates actions and guidelines for the allocation of human resources, materials (work space, teams, services, etc.), financing and timing of research and development projects.
• Select packaging materials according to the product and its application.
• Select the design of the container and define packaging and preparation technologies on the basis of requirements and demands of the new product being launched.
• Direct studies into the application of new materials and/or containers in laboratory, pilot plants and industrial development, and all processes involved in technological advances and testing.
• Coordinate validation studies of the prototypes developed, technical validation of the design, consumer validations (eg. acceptance, stability, storage and transportation tests, etc.).
• Report directly to the Directorate General and coordinate with the rest of the departments involved:
  Production and packaging: Define the technologies to be used in the packaging process and propose strategies to improve and optimise the production process on the basis of the conclusions of the tests carried out by firms.
  R&D: Define the packaging and packing technologies to be used on the basis of the requirements and needs of the new products developed by the R&D department.
  Quality (ensuring final products of the highest standard that address and satisfy consumer needs).
  Communication, marketing, sales (setting guidelines for the communication and marketing of the product).
• Be able to understand and analyses market-demand studies, consumers' eating habits, expectations, etc. in order to be able to design containers in accordance with needs detected.
• Act as company interlocutor in research projects that take place in coordinated participation with several companies (eg. suppliers of packaging machinery,...) and public research bodies, or other.

Regulated training and graduates

• Grau: Química
• Grau: Ciències i tecnologies dels aliments
• Grau: Enginyeria agrària i alimentària
• Grau: Enginyeria agrícola
• Grau: Enginyeria agroalimentària
• Grau: Enginyeria de Ciències Agronòmiques
• Grau: Enginyeria en tecnologies industrials
• Grau: Enginyeria de materials
• Grau: Enginyeria química

Complementary training

Other specific skills

Analytical thought: Level 2

Planning and organisation: Level 3

Orientation within reach: Level 2

Leadership: Level 2

Strategic orientation: Level 3

Team work and cooperation: Level 3

Management

The organisation, administration and control of a company or entity are the main interests of people related to the management field. Activities included in this field of interest vary from effective resource management, feasibility analyses and solving business problems to the development of skills and fostering of motivation in relation to human resources. Knowledge regarding specific techniques of strategic administration and business management are required to carry out these activities.

Technician

People who show an interest in the technical field find fulfilment in carrying out activities related to the design and manufacture of objects, machines, vehicles and/or infrastructures. These activities require the application of scientific and technical knowledge (laws of physics, calculations and mathematical formulas, properties of the materials, etc). Creativity is also necessary when coming up with optimal solutions for the functional requirements of the products to be designed. Therefore, the pragmatic application of scientific knowledge in order to develop solutions for the benefit of human beings is the main function of occupations in the technical field.

Expert researcher in new foods

Expert in food safety and quality

Wine producer

Self-control system auditor (HACCP)

R&D&I Engineer

• Work hours

  This is normally a full-time job.

• Salary

  Between 18.397 and 25.790euros (annual gross salary). Median:21.782 euros annum gross.
  This figure is orientative and is conditioned by the size of the company, if it is of a public or private character, and of the experience and qualifications of the person in question.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.
  
  

• Professional category

  Technician