Packaging and Labelling Specialist

About Re-turn

Ireland has one of the most beautiful natural environments in the world, and we want to keep it that way.

Appointed by the Irish government, but operating as a standalone company, Re-turn is a not-for-profit organisation established to run Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), a simple solution to achieving higher collection rates for drinks containers. DRS schemes operate successfully in more than 40 countries, with the average collection rate of established EU schemes now over 90%. As well as higher recycling rates DRS schemes reduce litter, prevent waste, lower emissions and relieve pressure on natural resources.

The Irish scheme went live on 1 February 2024 and has already collected over 2.5 billion drinks containers across the country. This means high quality material can be reprocessed and used to make new products – supporting a truly circular economy.

We’re a small but growing team and we’ve got off to a great start, but there’s still plenty to do to ensure Ireland’s scheme runs as efficiently as possible and achieves its high recycling ambitions.

About the Role

The Packaging & Labelling Specialist is Re-turn’s technical expert on the drinks containers in the scheme. Sitting within the Producer Team, you will be responsible for the data accuracy of every product registered with Re-turn and placed on the national market – reviewing, approving and maintaining each registration against our Technical Specification and Labelling Manual.

This matters because the data you approve drives the scheme in practice. It determines whether an RVM recognises and accepts a container and refunds the consumer’s deposit; how containers are counted and sorted; how fraud risk is controlled; and the material and recycled content information Re-turn reports to the State. A single inaccurate weight, barcode or dimension entry can affect thousands of transactions a day.

You will be the go-to expert for producers, importers and their packaging suppliers on what makes a PET bottle or aluminium can “DRS-ready”. It is a role for a packaging professional who wants their expertise to have a national environmental impact

Key Responsibilities:

Product registration and data accuracy

• Review, validate and approve new product registrations submitted through the Re-turn producer portal against the Technical Specification and Labelling Manual, covering container dimensions, weights, materials, recycled content and barcodes.
• Review existing product registration data to identify inaccuracies, and work with producers to correct them so the national product register reflects what is actually on shelf.
• Manage changes to registered containers, de-registrations and new requirements.
• Manage annual reports submitted by producers, including materials and total tonnage placed on the market.

Product validation and testing

• Develop and implement Re-turn’s product validation process, verifying producer-submitted registration details against container drawings and physical samples to confirm dimensions, weights and materials.
• Coordinate the testing of non-standard containers with RVM suppliers, and communicate outcomes and any corrective actions to producers.

Labelling and barcode compliance

• Own and maintain Re-turn’s barcode, deposit logo and labelling specifications, and review producer artwork and labels for compliance.
• Work with producers and label suppliers to address high fraud-risk barcodes and strengthen anti-fraud measures.

Materials and recyclability

• Act as Re-turn’s subject matter expert on PET and aluminium (and steel) drinks packaging, interpreting supplier material specifications and advising producers on recyclability and recycled content requirements, working with the Logistics and Regulatory Affairs teams.
• Keep the Technical Specification and Labelling Manual up to date as regulation and industry practice evolve.

Producer engagement

• Provide clear, practical technical advice to producers, importers and packaging suppliers on their packaging and labelling obligations under the Regulations.
• Develop guidance and training for producers and Re-turn colleagues as required.

Required Skills & Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in a packaging technologist, packaging development, new product development or technical role, with direct, hands-on experience of PET and/or aluminium drinks packaging (e.g. PET bottles and preforms, aluminium beverage cans, closures and labels).
• A strong working understanding of packaging material specifications – able to read, interpret and challenge supplier specifications covering recycled content, additives and barriers, closures, labels, adhesives, inks, resin and alloy.
• Working knowledge of product barcoding (GS1 standards) and packaging artwork and labelling processes.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a demonstrable commitment to data accuracy, with experience managing technical or product data in specification systems, databases or portals; strong Excel skills.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical requirements clearly and confidently to internal and external stakeholders at all levels, from small importers to worldwide beverage manufacturers.

Desirable

• A third-level qualification (degree or diploma) in Packaging Technology, Materials Science, Polymer or Materials Engineering, Food Science/Technology, Chemistry or a related discipline.
• Experience with a drinks producer, a PET preform/bottle or beverage can manufacturer, a label converter, or a recycler.
• Knowledge of design-for-recycling guidelines for PET and metal packaging (e.g. EPBP, RecyClass or equivalent) and of waste management and recycling best practice.
• Familiarity with relevant EU packaging legislation, such as the Single Use Plastics Directive, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and food-contact rules for recycled plastics.
• Experience of deposit return schemes, reverse vending technology, or extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes.
• Experience of packaging testing or quality control.

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About our benefits

We offer a competitive salary and benefits packaging which includes:

• 23 days’ holiday plus 2 company days (Good Friday & Christmas Eve) plus 10 bank holidays
• Hybrid working: we operate a hybrid working arrangement with 2 days home working permitted per week (1 to be a Friday)
• Flexible working: 37 hour week with core times Monday to Thursday 08:45 to 15:45 & Friday 08:45 to 12:45
• Company Pension Contribution of 5%, increasing with service
• Company Health Insurance Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Income Protection
• Life assurance
• Parking on site
• Subsidised Canteen
• Gym Membership Subsidy
• Leap Card Subsidy

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We are an equal opportunities employer and happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that may be needed for successful candidates