Senior Manager - Packaging, Research & Innovation

Short Intro and About the Job

Primary Purpose of the Role

Drive end-to-end packaging strategy and innovation for Japan FMCG across beverages, dairy, and plant-based categories to support business growth and superior consumer experiences. Lead cross-functional teams to deliver creative, cost-effective, and technically advanced packaging solutions from concept to commercialization, ensuring quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. Continuously optimize packaging design, materials, and manufacturing efficiency while resolving technical challenges and improving performance. Advance sustainability goals and build high-performing teams, acting as a key regional expert and link to global packaging communities.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Main responsibilities

• Lead and drive all packaging innovation/ renovation in the organisation with cross functions team to ensure superior user experience and cost effectiveness.
• Build the packaging strategy with markets and cross function leadership teams to ensure we deliver our mission and bring the best cost optimisation.
• Drive cost optimisation in the current packaging without compromise quality and consumer/customer experience
• Develop and maintain the packaging specification. drawing and database
• Build network with global centre packaging team and communities to bring necessary support to team
• Build network and relationship with external stakeholders in packaging related topics together with internal governance teams
• As part of the leadership in R&I team, support the growth of the team member in the development by providing feedback and coaching. 

Strategic Goals

• Lead and execute overall Japan FMCG packaging strategy and projects in beverages, dairy and plant-based categories to drive business growth through collaborative cross-function teamwork with local markets
• Lead the packaging innovation pipelines to support local business growth through creative designs, new technologies, superior user experiences, unique packaging propositions, cost effective implementation, innovative functions and local champions
• Oversee the end-to-end packaging development process with local teams from concept to commercialization and ensure projects delivered meet the needs from targeted consumers and customers in different markets.
• Ensure all packaging meets quality, safety and local regulatory standards. Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for packaging related production or quality issues to ensure smooth commercialization,
• Drive continuous packaging improvement and cost optimization in design, quality, user experience, materials, manufacturing efficiency without compromising the quality
• Drive Danone’s packaging sustainability goals through packaging recyclability, design to recycle, reusable materials, reduction of materials, sustainable materials, internal and external key stakeholders’ engagement
• Together with APAC Packaging Head to build, mentor and lead local FMCG teams into innovative, highly technical capable, collaborative and high performing teams
• Be one of the key regional packaging experts and key contacts with global packaging teams and build necessary network with key stakeholders in global packaging communities.

About You

Education background

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (chemical, mechanical), material science, industrial design, or packaging engineering

Technical Skills and Experiences required

• Deep FMCG industry package knowledge, experiences and skills, especially on rigid/Flexo packaging development (e.g. thermo forming molding, laminate films)
• Deep knowledge of primary materials used in packaging, including but not limited to Polymers, glass, metals, paper and board, flexibles, etc as well as material interactions
• Familiar with technical stage gate process, prototyping technologies and tooling, design for manufacturing, testing protocols and specification management
• Deep knowledge and experiences on the packaging design, innovation and processing technologies
• Experiences and knowledge in sustainability and circular economy principles through packaging design, materials, recyclability, etc as well as relevant regulatory landscape
• Actively scan the horizon for disruptive technologies and assess their business applicability. Able to translate the latest science & technology advancement to build future product and technology pipelines

Competencies to be successful in the job

• Strategic and creative thinker
• Influential and collaborative leader
• Risk-based decision making
• Strong business acumen
• Excellent communication skills and able to communicate technical perspectives to non-technical audiences
• Strong project management skills
• Resources planning which include Budget
• Drives cross-discipline collaboration and discussion.
• Stakeholder management.
• Resourceful leader who can discover and leverage all resources to bring the needed support

About Us, We offer and What's next

Dedicated to bringing health through food to as many people as possible, Danone is a leading global food & beverage company built on three businesses: Essential Dairy and Plant-Based Products, Waters and Specialized Nutrition.

At Danone, we aim to inspire healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking practices, in line with our vision - Danone, One Planet. One Health - which reflects a strong belief that the health of people and the health of the planet are interconnected. We deliberately concentrate on high-growth and health-focused categories, and commit to operating in an efficient, sustainable and responsible manner.

Check out the link below to find out more about Danone in Japan.

http://www.danone.co.jp/

Danone Japan is a certified B Corporation and is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Marital Status / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

Danone Japan doesn’t just welcome what makes you unique, we value it. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We recruit, employ, train and promote regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic characteristic or any other protected status. Faithful to our values of openness and humanism, all our employees share in the commitment to engage one another with dignity and respect.