EU R&I Packaging Team Lead

Korte Introductie en Over de Functie: *As EU R&I Packaging Team Lead, you will lead a multi-site team of packaging engineers and technicians, and shape the future of packaging innovation across Europe. Combining strategic leadership with strong packaging expertise, you will drive consumer-centric and circular packaging solutions, while ensuring projects are delivered with the right quality, speed and business impact.* **Your key responsibilities:** * Lead, coach and develop a team of packaging engineers and technicians across multiple European locations, building capabilities and fostering collaboration and continuous improvement. * Define and deploy a 3-year vision and capability roadmap for the team, with a strong focus on consumer experience, circularity, technical expertise and efficient ways of working. * Take ownership of the European packaging project portfolio, including prioritization, resources, testing budgets and delivery against timing, quality and cost. * Drive packaging development from initial brief and design through industrial trials, validation and first production, ensuring robust and scalable packaging solutions. * Contribute to the European packaging strategy and innovation roadmap, translating future packaging challenges and opportunities into concrete actions and projects. * Accelerate the transition towards more circular and sustainable packaging solutions, supporting European and local roadmaps on recyclability, reuse and new packaging technologies. * Ensure packaging solutions meet the required standards for consumer experience, functionality, performance, quality and food safety. * Build the packaging innovation, renovation and productivity pipeline in close partnership with R&I, Operations, Procurement, Marketing, Sales, Quality and Supply Chain. * Act as a strategic business partner and key packaging point of contact, connecting European priorities with local business and factory needs. * Build and leverage a strong external ecosystem of suppliers, technology partners and packaging experts to accelerate innovation and access new capabilities. * Continuously challenge existing approaches and identify opportunities to improve the efficiency, creativity and business impact of the European R&I Packaging organization. Over Jou: You are an experienced packaging leader who combines deep technical expertise with strategic vision and strong people leadership. You are comfortable navigating a complex European matrix organization and know how to turn ambitious strategies into pragmatic solutions that deliver tangible business results. **We are looking for someone who brings:** * At least 10 years of experience within FMCG, with significant expertise in packaging development and innovation. * Proven experience working successfully in a complex, international matrix organization. * Strong technical understanding of key packaging materials, including PET, PP, PS, PLA, paper and cardboard. * Solid knowledge of packaging tech