Packaging Innovation Leader

Packaging Innovation Leader

To provide technical leadership of the packaging innovation programme for the Pet Nutrition R&D Technology hub team. To develop and implement a pet-parent centric packaging innovation pipeline delivering to the central team agreed portfolios. Work in partnership with R&D OEs and commercial to deliver optimised, harmonized and sustainable packaging specifications. Be the initiators and owners of global packaging specifications. Provide leadership & direction for the packaging associates under their line management. Be a key and active member of the broader Packaging Leadership team.

Key Responsibility

• Drive a Pet Parent Centric Innovation mindset across the packaging team, working closely with key internal business partners in R&D, Marketing, CTI/CMI, Commercial, Legal, S&RA, Q&FS 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 organisations, institutes and universities.
• External focus is key to bringing 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 ensuring the delivery of the Mars Sustainable in a Generation goals, including D4C (Design for Circularity) and plastic reduction programmes.
• Work with the packaging leadership team to support the development and implementation of enabling packaging strategies and capabilities
• Collaborate with and support the Science & Technology teams to ensure the development and delivery of suitable future packaging formats to deliver the next generation of products.
• Build a strong and effective working relationship with legal, ensuring freedom to operate and taking opportunities to protect intellectual property.
• Have a thorough understanding of the external environment, legislation and issues that will impact packaging design into the future.
• Leadership and development of their packaging team. Drive a mindset of innovative and sustainable design underpinned with technical excellence.

• Accountable for supporting team engagement, developing both technical and softer skills. Work with the packaging leadership team to build a strong motivated and engaged talent pipeline for packaging.

• Responsible to partner with Central Packaging Capability Director to ensure packaging work is executed in line with packaging Functional Excellence and sustainability roadmap.

• Active member of Central packaging community helping to advance functional excellence and business impact.

Context and scope

• The job requires excellent cross functional alignment across R&D, marketing, commercial, legal, S&RA, Q&FS and supply to deliver innovations into the market.
• The current and future programme development additionally requires a high level of external collaboration particularly with packaging suppliers, design/prototype agencies and co-manufacturers.
• The job will also require a high level of collaboration at a functional level, being part of the broader packaging leadership team and have a responsibility to build packaging excellence and talent.

Job Specifications/Qualifications

• University Degree in a technical discipline. Ideally Packaging/Design or Science/Engineering.
• Packaging Subject Matter Expertise: Has a strong record of delivering packaging solutions to market as part of FMCG and/or suppliers. Has team leadership experience.
• Strategy: Good understanding of the overall strategic intent of Pet Nutrition and the divisional priorities. The ability to articulate and translate business goals and requirements to the packaging team creating buy-in and collaboration.
• Leadership: Excellent inter-personal abilities, influencing without authority and inspiring and motivating others. Experience of people management, including engaging, motivating, and ensuring results delivery from their team.
• Partnership building: Has a strong track record of building partnerships internally and externally.