Packaging Innovation Leader

Job Purpose

To provide technical leadership for the packaging innovation programme within the R&D Technology hub team. Responsible for developing and implementing a consumer-centric packaging innovation pipeline aligned with agreed portfolios. Collaborate with R&D, commercial, and other functions to deliver optimized, harmonized, and sustainable packaging specifications. Initiate and own global packaging specifications, provide leadership and direction for packaging associates, and serve as an active member of the broader Packaging Leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive a consumer-centric innovation mindset across the packaging team, working closely with key internal business partners in R&D, Marketing, Technology insight, Commercial, Legal, regulartory affair, quality, and Supply to ensure innovative concepts are delivered to market.
• Build key external relationships to support and deliver prototypes and innovations with packaging suppliers, research agencies, external co-manufacturers, packaging organizations, institutes, and universities.
• Maintain an external focus to bring insights and trends into the packaging strategy and programme, including consumer-relevant packaging trends, material, and technology advances (including data-led/AI) to inform and inspire.
• Work with the sustainability team to ensure the delivery of sustainability goals, including Design for Circularity (D4C) and plastic reduction programmes.
• Collaborate with the packaging leadership team to support the development and implementation of enabling packaging strategies and capabilities.
• Support Science & Technology teams to ensure the development and delivery of suitable future packaging formats for the next generation of products.
• Build strong and effective working relationships with legal, ensuring freedom to operate and taking opportunities to protect intellectual property.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the external environment, legislation, and issues that will impact packaging design in the future.
• Provide leadership and development for the packaging team, driving a mindset of innovative and sustainable design underpinned by technical excellence.
• Support team engagement, developing both technical and soft skills.
• Work with the packaging leadership team to build a strong, motivated, and engaged talent pipeline for packaging.
• Partner with the Central Packaging Capability Director to ensure packaging work is executed in line with Functional Excellence and sustainability roadmap.
• Act as an active member of the central packaging community, helping to advance functional excellence and business impact.

Context and Scope

The role requires excellent cross-functional alignment across R&D, marketing, commercial, legal, regulartory affair, quality, and supply to deliver innovations to market. Programme development requires a high level of external collaboration, particularly with packaging suppliers, design/prototype agencies, and co-manufacturers. The role also involves significant collaboration at a functional level, being part of the broader packaging leadership team and responsible for building packaging excellence and talent.

Job Specifications / Qualifications

Education & Professional Qualifications

• University Degree in a technical discipline. Ideally Packaging/Design or Science/Engineering.

Knowledge / Experience

• Packaging Subject Matter Expertise: Strong record of delivering packaging solutions to market as part of FMCG and/or suppliers. Experience in team leadership.
• Strategy: Good understanding of overall strategic intent and divisional priorities. Ability to articulate and translate business goals and requirements to the packaging team, creating buy-in and collaboration.
• Leadership: Excellent interpersonal skills, influencing without authority, inspiring and motivating others. Experience in people management, including engaging, motivating, and ensuring results delivery from their team.
• Partnership Building: Strong track record of building partnerships internally and externally.