Do you want to play a key role in shaping quality, sustainability, and innovation across Europe? Can you translate business needs into the right packaging choices? And do you thrive at the intersection of quality, food safety, sustainability, and supplier performance?
We are looking to expand our central Quality team in our European Headquarters in Rotterdam and adding a valuable new member to the team, as our:
European Packaging Quality Specialist
As our European Packaging Quality Specialist, you will directly contribute to the quality, food safety, compliance, and performance of the packaging materials used in the beverages we manufacture across Europe and beyond. Packaging is critical to product integrity, consumer safety, sustainability goals, and operational excellence — and in this role, you sit right at the heart of it.
What makes this role unique is the breadth and influence it offers. You will work in a highly cross-functional, international environment with Procurement, Packaging Engineering, Manufacturing, Suppliers, Quality teams and external experts. You will be exposed to a wide range of packaging materials and technologies (rPET, resin, metal cans, liquid paperboard and more), while supporting innovation, compliance, and continuous improvement across the full packaging lifecycle.
You will work with a high degree of autonomy and ownership, leading complex quality topics end-to-end, while collaborating closely with key stakeholders across Europe. Beyond the technical scope, this role gives you the opportunity to shape standards, develop expertise, and intentionally build your career within our quality and sustainability agenda.
What does the role entail?
As European Packaging Quality Specialist, you ensure that packaging materials, processes, and finished goods meet internal quality standards, customer requirements, and regulatory expectations.
- Coordinating packaging material evaluations — and when relevant supplier evaluations — to ensure only approved materials are used that meet quality, food safety, regulatory, and operational performance requirements.
- Performing risk assessments for new packaging materials and packaging technologies (e.g. resin, (r)PET, metal cans, liquid paperboard).
- Leading the resolution of complex packaging-related quality issues with autonomy, and escalating the most critical cases when needed, involving internal and external experts.
- Supporting packaging innovation, dual sourcing, compliance, and productivity projects in close collaboration with Procurement, plants, suppliers, and technical subject matter experts.
- Leading and continuously improving the packaging specifications process.
- Developing, implementing, and maintaining packaging quality standards, specifications, and test methods (e.g. transport testing, seal integrity, drop tests).
- Acting as a packaging quality expert by monitoring the pre-regulatory landscape and translating evolving regulations into clear standards, guidelines, and training.
Providing audit support and contributing to packaging expertise to supplier and internal audits. - Collaborating cross-functionally to embed Quality and Food Safety requirements into procurement and sourcing decisions.
- Supporting manufacturing teams to improve packaging processes, reduce defects, minimize waste, and assess new packaging technologies.
- Training and coaching internal teams on packaging quality requirements and best practices.
Who are you?
We are looking for a proactive, detail-driven packaging quality expert with a passion for food safety, compliance, and continuous improvement with the following experience and qualifications:
- Bachelor/Master degree in: Engineering or Science (Packaging, Mechanical, Chemistry, or related field).
- At least 5 years of experience in packaging engineering or related roles, with a strong quality focus.
- Hands-on experience with packaging for food-intended use, including sustainability aspects.
- Strong understanding of the regulatory landscape for food contact materials and sustainability (e.g. PPWR, EUDR).
- Solid experience with quality tools and quality management systems.
- Knowledge of packaging testing methods, standards, and regulations.
- Understanding of packaging equipment, processes, and technologies.
- Risk assessment capability and strong problem-solving skills.
- Experience working cross-functionally in international environments.
- The ability to influence without authority, work independently, and manage diverse stakeholders.
- Strong data gathering and analysis skills, including SPC.
- Proficiency in English; an additional language is a plus.
- Experience working with suppliers and conducting audits is a plus.
- You are known for your integrity, structured thinking, and ability to have constructive — and sometimes tough — conversations, while always keeping quality, food safety, and the business objective front and center.
Ready to make an impact and join our journey?
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What we offer you.
At Refresco, we believe that your work should be rewarding, both professionally and personally. That’s why we offer you:
- Competitive pay with eligibility for an annual bonus
- No personal pension contribution – your pension is fully paid by Refresco
- 28 days of holiday (based on full-time employment) to recharge and enjoy your time off
- Continuous opportunities to develop yourself, with access to tailored courses, interactive e-learnings,
- Free access to OpenUp for you and your family members, supporting mental well-being and personal development
- A modern office nearby the vibrant city of Rotterdam
- Fun and connection through regular events organized by our enthusiastic Fun Committee
- Opportunities for professional development and training to help you grow in your career
- An NS Business Card or commuting allowance, making your journey to the office more convenient
- Memorable moments together, from our weekly shared Thursday lunches to annual events like Wellbeing Week, the Christmas dinner, and our Holding trip.
- A culture shaped by our core values: entrepreneurial, passionate, agile, responsible and excellent.
Recruitment process
Are you interested in this open position, feel free to send your application!
To ensure a fair and thorough selection, an assessment may be conducted as part of the recruitment process.
In case of any questions with regards to the position, you may reach out to Yasimin Harput (Corporate Recruiter Group/HQ)
Phone: 010 440 5100
E-mail: yasimin.harput@refresco.com
Important to know: We are currently unable to offer relocation support for this position. Candidates must be based locally in The Netherlands.
