Packaging Innovation&Sustainability Lead
Colgate-Palmolive · Etten
Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country
Job Number #175126 - Etten-Leur, Noord Brabant, Netherlands
Who We Are
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specialising in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!
Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.
As a Packaging Innovation and Sustainability Lead within the Hill's packaging organization, the candidate will identify and expand opportunities for growth through emerging consumer trends, breakthrough technologies, and innovative methodologies. The primary objective of this position is to navigate the end-to-end development cycle—from identifying
opportunity spaces through prototyping and scale-up—ensuring every solution is both consumer-centric and environmentally responsible.This position is thought to be cross category taking care of the dry and the wet businesses
Key Responsibilities
This position requires a high degree of interaction with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Product Development, Manufacturing, Procurement, Global Packaging, Quality, Logistics) and close partnership with external packaging vendors.
1. Consumer-Centric Design & Packaging Development
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Drive the design of primary and secondary packaging materials, synthesizing complex requirements from consumers, clients, and the supply chain (manufacturing/logistics)
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Understand, interpret, and refine package testing procedures and standards to support an effective design during validation of new packages. Partners with Marketing and Consumer Insights to prioritize ergonomics and consumer needs in the design phase, serving as the lead engineer responsible for solving complex technical challenges as projects progress
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Ensure technical alignment and approvals from stakeholders throughout all stages of development and implementation, guaranteeing compliance with company protocols and corporate quality/safety standards
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Generate detailed technical specifications using defined systems, maintaining accountability for the information's accuracy
2. Project Execution and Management
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Manage the entire project lifecycle, ensuring every packaging development is supported by a solid business rationale and a clear approval plan
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Develop and adhere to strict project timelines, proactively communicating related activities and any schedule deviations to stakeholders
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Provide essential technical information (specs, drawings, protocols) to cross-functional areas for the execution of their tasks
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Maintain flawless communication with suppliers, defining validation criteria, specifications, and Key Release Specifications (KRS) for new developments
3. Sustainability, Innovation, and Business Continuity
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Champion standardization and simplification programs to enhance overall efficiency
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Proactively identify, evaluate, and implement innovative and experimental projects aimed at cost improvement, manufacturing efficiency (through production data analysis), and risk mitigation
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Provide qualified technical guidance to manufacturing plants to optimize packaging material performance on production lines
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Delivers evidence-based recommendations for packaging changes that balance consumer desirability with rigorous corporate and regulatory sustainability guidelines
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Scout Strategic Innovation constantly researching new trends, suppliers, competitors, and developments to drive packaging superiority and people-centric innovation across materials, products, and processes
Required Qualifications
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Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Packaging Engineering, or a related quantitative field
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Minimum 3 years of professional experience in a consumer goods (CPG), pharma or food company
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Minimum 2 years of direct experience in supply chain, packaging, logistics, or R&D.
Preferred Qualifications
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Advanced understanding of manufacturing processes and the behavior of packaging materials in high-speed line and logistics contexts
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Solid knowledge of the Design of Experiments (DOE) process and statistical methodologies
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Competency across various packaging materials (flexibles, cans, labels, corrugates)
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Familiarity with project management tools and enterprise systems (e.g., SAP, Google Workspace, palletization software like CAPE).
Core Competencies
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Excellent Communicator: Demonstrated ability to translate complex data into actionable insights and communicate effectively with both highly technical and non-technical stakeholders
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Critical and Analytical Thinker: Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
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Change Management Leader: Ability to effectively champion and embed processes and technologies across a large, cross-functional organization to drive continuous improvement.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.
Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.
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