Packaging Manager

Job Description

The Packaging Manager at a glance ...

The Packaging Manager serves as the organisation's packaging technology expert, leading highly complex packaging projects, technology platforms, and strategic initiatives. The role drives packaging innovation, develops long-term technology pipelines, and connects internal teams with external technology ecosystems to identify and implement solutions that support growth, sustainability, quality, efficiency, and business performance.

Key Ingredients:

Strategic Packaging Leadership

• Independently lead highly complex packaging projects, platforms, and technical workstreams.
• Shape packaging technology strategy and contribute to long-term innovation roadmaps and 5 to 10-year packaging plans.
• Partner with senior R&D leadership to identify future technology opportunities and business growth enablers.
• Build and maintain a robust packaging innovation pipeline across business units and regions.

Technical Expertise

• Act as the recognized subject matter expert for packaging technologies, materials, processes, and emerging trends.
• Provide technical guidance, feasibility assessments, and scientific expertise to packaging development teams globally.
• Evaluate and recommend packaging technologies that improve product performance, quality, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks associated with packaging solutions and implementation activities.

Innovation & External Partnerships

• Research and assess emerging technologies, materials, manufacturing processes, and industry developments.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, research institutions, industry associations, and external technology partners.
• Evaluate new technologies for potential application within the Kraft Heinz portfolio.
• Provide recommendations related to intellectual property, implementation constraints, and technology partnerships.

Global Collaboration & Influence

• Collaborate with packaging developers, technology leads, procurement partners, and cross-functional stakeholders across global regions.
• Lead technical discussions in global forums and influence decisions through deep technical expertise and business acumen.
• Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to non-technical audiences, including senior leaders.
• Coach and mentor packaging professionals to strengthen organisational capability.

Business Performance

• Support delivery of innovation, productivity, sustainability, and value engineering objectives.
• Influence investment and technology decisions with significant business impact.
• Drive initiatives that enhance business growth, operational performance, quality outcomes, and cost efficiencies.

Key Stakeholders

Internal

• R&D Directors
• R&D Leadership Teams
• Packaging Developers and Engineers
• Product and Process Experts
• Global Technology Leads
• Global and Regional Procurement Teams
• Senior Leadership Forums and Governance Boards

External

• Packaging Suppliers
• Material and Technology Providers
• Research Institutions
• Industry Networks and Associations
• Innovation and Technology Partners

Decision-Making Authority

• Leads decisions regarding packaging technology selection, technical feasibility, and platform direction.
• Provides recommendations to senior leadership regarding technology adoption, strategic partnerships, intellectual property considerations, and implementation approaches.
• Operates with a high degree of independence while aligning decisions with company strategy and governance.

Financial Impact

• Influences packaging investments and technology decisions with an area of impact exceeding €800K.
• Contributes to financial performance through innovation, risk reduction, quality improvement, operational efficiency, and business growth initiatives.

Recipe for Success: Apply if this sounds like you!

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Packaging Engineering, Engineering, Materials Science, Food Science, or a related technical discipline.

Experience

• Minimum 10+ years of packaging development experience within a complex, matrix organisation.
• Demonstrated leadership of highly complex packaging projects, technology platforms, or innovation programmes.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and leading cross-functional initiatives across multiple regions.

Key Accountabilities

Technical & Strategic

• Expert knowledge of packaging technologies, materials, processes, and manufacturing systems.
• Technology scouting and pipeline development.
• Innovation strategy and long-term roadmap planning.
• Scientific and technical problem solving.
• Risk assessment and feasibility evaluation.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Strategic influencing and stakeholder management.
• Executive communication and presentation skills.
• Coaching and mentoring.
• Global collaboration and network building.
• Strong ownership, judgement, and decision-making capability. 

Success Measures

• Delivery of strategic packaging innovation initiatives.
• Strength of packaging technology pipeline.
• Adoption of new packaging technologies and materials.
• Contribution to sustainability, quality, and productivity objectives.
• Stakeholder satisfaction and influence across global packaging networks.
• Development and coaching of packaging talent.

Location(s)

Nijmegen

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.