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