Sr Manager, R&D - Plastic Rigid Materials
Core
Lead a team of technical experts to develop rigid plastic packaging solutions that meet sustainability requirements, innovation goals, and value engineering initiatives for the North American portfolio.
Role type
Senior Manager, R&D (Packaging Materials)
Builds
Novel, functional, cost-competitive rigid plastic packaging formats and material solutions
Domain
Consumer goods / Food & Beverage / Sustainable Packaging
Deliverable
product features
Required skills
R&D technology development and commercialization, people management, project portfolio management, materials science (polymers, barriers, additives), manufacturing constraints and processes, design of experiments and statistics, regulatory compliance and sustainability strategy, stakeholder influence and negotiation
Preferred skills
Experience in consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma, or similar industries; pilot line setup and scale-up to industrial production; IP strategy development
Technologies
Converting processes (filling, labeling, molding, injection molding, extrusion blow molding, thermoforming), bottle closure and dispensing systems
Responsibilities
Lead and prioritize a portfolio of complex rigid plastic packaging technology strategies; build and manage relationships with suppliers, technology providers, and external partners; identify material/polymer/packaging technology solutions to avoid material bans and regulatory risks; deliver packaging designs to Performance-Based Specifications (PBS); provide technical leadership and oversight on packaging reviews; own project and portfolio-level budgets and resourcing strategies; mentor and coach junior team members; build succession and upskilling plans for talent
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC with people management responsibilities
