Head Of Packaging R&D

At KDP, our inspiration is to bring meaningful impact and that starts with our company vision; Drink Well, Do Good!

The Head of Packaging R&D is an exciting opportunity to lead the strategic direction, development, and execution of KDP’s extensive packaging portfolio across all beverage categories. The role will lead the packaging function by driving innovation, sustainability, technology development, and productivity within the business. In addition, this position will bring thought leadership in packaging and consumer-led innovation strategies. This role will work closely with R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain, Commercial, and Corporate Sustainability leaders. This leader should have interpersonal skills to build strong cross functional partnerships and relationships to foster a team environment aligned to the overall KDP values and culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Develops and executes the overall Packaging Strategy for KDP to support Innovation, Sustainability, and the Science & Technology spaces.
• Partners closely with Procurement and Supply Chain on the packaging productivity program to improve KDP’s product margins.
• Through Design thinking principles, translates brand strategies and consumer insights into innovative and sustainable packaging across all beverage categories (Carbonated Soft Drinks, Coffee, Juice, Water, Tea, Sauce, Energy, Mixers).
• Provides technical direction and influences strategies with cross-functional leaders in R&D, Marketing, Sustainability, Sales, and Supply Chain.
• Collaborates with Corporate Sustainability, Regulatory, and Legal to identify packaging risks and opportunities, assess impacts, and develop strategies to address them that will advance company growth, performance, and corporate responsibility commitments.
• Leads the development of packaging technology roadmaps across key packaging formats (Bottle, Pod, Carton, Can, Glass, Cup, Pouch).
• Through internal and external partnerships, leads the scoping and development of novel packaging technologies relevant to KDP’s portfolio.
• Inspires, motivates, and develops talent maintaining a forward thinking, agile, and people focused work environment

What We Are Looking For

• A visionary, positive, and energetic leader who can create and sustain a high-performance team culture
• Develop and communicate strategy, goals, and business plans to drive growth while appropriately allocating resources to balance short-term and long-term objectives
• Facilitates a collaborative environment by partnering cross-functionally to ensure business maximizes marketplace opportunities to deliver exceptional business results
• Challenge the status quo and drive prudent risk taking that results in cultivating and executing new ideas and innovation to accelerate business performance

Qualifications

• Functional knowledge and know how in packaging materials and sustainable platforms
• Experience in the food & beverage, consumer products, and related business segments
• Multi-disciplinary experience in R&D, Innovation, Quality, or Supply Chain is a plus
• 15+ years of R&D, Packaging, and Innovation experience with at least 10 years in direct Talent and Organization development roles
• Strong communication skills to partner with senior leadership, stakeholders, and external customers
• Demonstrated success in people and organizational development
• Experience with hot fill, aseptic, cold fill, and retort packaging is a plus.
• Strategic thinker with creative problem-solving skills