Packaging Material And Equipment Technologist

Job description

Packaging Material And Equipment Technologist - 24 Months Secondment / FTC Closing Date: 21st October 2026 (COB) Business Introduction We manufacture and supply reliable, high-quality medicines and vaccines to meet patients’ needs and drive our performance. Our network of 37 medicines and vaccines manufacturing sites delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and 409 million vaccine doses in 2024 to help make a positive impact on the health of millions of people. Our supply chain is not just core to our operations; it’s vital to bringing our innovations to patients as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. Technology is transforming how we manufacture medicines and vaccines, enabling us to increase the speed, quality and scale of product supply. We need the very best minds and capability to help us on our journey to make more complex products, harnessing the power of smart manufacturing technologies including robotics, digital solutions and artificial intelligence to deliver for patients. Position Summary The Packaging Material and Equipment Technologist will provide hands-on technical delivery for packaging activities within the Worthing Site Packaging Project. Reporting to the Packaging Technology Project Lead, the role will assess and implement primary, secondary and tertiary packaging materials; define and execute trials; support material and equipment qualification and validation; complete technical risk assessments; and create or update specifications, drawings and artwork inputs through formal change control. A central requirement is to understand how material properties, pack design and print or coding requirements interact with forming, sealing, handling, inspection and cartoning equipment so that solutions are robust, compliant and capable at production scale. The role will work through a cross-functional matrix with MSAT, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Artwork Packaging Services, Supply Chain and external material and equipment suppliers. Responsibilities This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following: Deliver packaging material and equipment activities: Plan and complete assigned material, component and equipment-interface activities for primary, secondary and tertiary packaging, from development and approval through line introduction and routine manufacture, maintaining clear evidence and escalating risks or dependencies. Assess material–equipment interactions: Evaluate how material properties, tolerances, pack design and print or coding requirements affect forming, sealing, feeding, handling, coding, vision inspection and cartoning; define appropriate machine settings, operating ranges and controls. Plan trials and deliver validation: Develop and execute trial, qualification and validation protocols for packaging materials, pack formats and equipment interfaces, including objectives, sampling plans and acceptance criteria; analyse results, resolve deviations and document evidence-based conclusions. Manage technical risk and problem solving: Lead or contribute to technical risk assessments, FMEA, transit assessments where applicable; troubleshoot performance issues, support root-cause investigations and translate identified risks into proportionate controls, test plans and corrective actions. Maintain specifications, artwork and technical documentation: Create, review and update component specifications, drawings, artwork briefs, master data, protocols, reports and change-control records, ensuring alignment with approved pack requirements, market needs, GMP and regulatory expectations and maintaining inspection-ready traceability. Coordinate technical interfaces and suppliers: Work cross-functionally and with material, component and equipment suppliers to resolve technical questions, confirm capability, obtain supporting evidence and ensure proposed solutions are compatible with site equipment, processes and project commitments. Key Skills and Experience Required Relevant technical background: Degree-level qualification, or strong equivalent experience, in packaging, materials science, engineering or another relevant scientific or technical discipline, supported by practical experience in a pharmaceutical or similarly regulated environment. Packaging materials and equipment-interface expertise: Knowledge of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging materials, component manufacture and printing techniques, with a strong understanding of how material properties and tolerances influence forming, sealing, feeding, coding, online artwork printing, inspection, handling and line performance. Qualification, validation and technical trials: Demonstrated experience planning, executing, analysing and reporting material, process or equipment trials, qualification and validation using scientifically sound, risk-based approaches. Risk assessment and evidence-based problem solving: Experience applying Quality by Design, FMEA, root-cause analysis and technical risk assessment, with the ability to interpret trial and production data, identify trends or failure modes and convert evidence into practical controls and recommendations. Specifications, artwork and compliance: Experience creating or updating packaging specifications, technical drawings, artwork inputs and controlled records through formal change control, underpinned by good working knowledge of GMP, data integrity, product quality and regulatory requirements. Project delivery, collaboration and communication: Well-organised delivery within a complex technical or capital project, with clear technical writing, effective stakeholder communication, cross-functional collaboration, supplier management through influence, resilience and a hands-on approach to resolving issues and meeting commitments. Location: - This role is site-based at our Worthing GSK manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom. About Worthing Manufacturing Site: Manufacturing at the Worthing site is for antibiotics (Penicillin). It is advised that you take this into consideration when deciding to apply for this position. GSK Worthing Site is a mixed manufacturing site with complex regulatory pressures. Manufacturing processes are highly technical and include high hazard activities. What success looks like - Robust packaging designs and documented qualifications that support reliable supply. - Smooth handover of packaging changes into routine operations with minimal disruption. - Timely resolution of packaging issues and strong supplier partnerships. - Clear, concise technical documentation that supports manufacturing and audits. Ready to apply? If you enjoy hands-on technical work, clear teamwork and making a visible impact, we want to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a short message that explains how your experience matches this role. If you need reasonable adjustments during recruitment, tell us when you apply — we support inclusion and accessibility for all applicants. Skills CMC Strategy, Data-Driven Decision Making, Data Integrity, Debate Moderation, Digital Fluency, GxP Regulations, Lean Management, Problem Solving, Process Optimization, Project Leadership, Risk Awareness, Scientific Writing, Technology Transfer Why GSK? Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale. People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines