Fibre & Flexible Packaging Team Leader

Independent Recruiters; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Yearly bonus

Premium pension

30 days leave

Health insurance discounts

Job summary

Independent Recruiters is seeking a visionary packaging leader to guide a global innovation pipeline in flexible and fibre packaging for Life Science products. You will lead end-to-end development from concept to market, balancing breakthrough ideas with regulatory compliance, safety, and sustainability to deliver market-ready solutions.

You will build and mentor a high-performing team, collaborate across geographies, and communicate strategic progress to senior stakeholders while advancing

Qualifications

• University degree in Packaging, Materials Science, Engineering.
• 10+ years of packaging experience in flexible and fibre packaging.
• Regulatory knowledge for nutrition, infant, or healthcare packaging.

Responsibilities

• Co-create and deliver the global SN packaging innovation pipeline.
• Lead end-to-end packaging development from concept through validation.
• Translate consumer insights and market demands into packaging solutions.
• Drive ideation and prototyping for scalable packaging innovations.
• Ensure progress on packaging sustainability commitments and circularity.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with global teams and external partners.
• Provide strategic direction and governance, prioritizing high-value initiatives.
• Partner with IP teams to translate innovations into patents.
• Represent projects to senior stakeholders with clear presentations.
• Build and develop a high-performing team with a culture of learning.
• Create external ecosystems to access new technologies and maintain edge.

Skills

Packaging expertise

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership experience

Stakeholder mgmt

Agile innovation

English fluency

Education

University degree in Packaging, Materials Science, Engineering

Job description

Are you a visionary leader in fiber and flexible packaging, passionate about driving innovation and shaping the future of sustainable solutions? Do you excel at nurturing high-performing teams and bringing groundbreaking ideas to life?

You’ll be at the forefront of pioneering packaging development within a world-class Life Science innovation hub, renowned for creating advanced product concepts that truly benefit vulnerable consumers, from infants to patients.

In this pivotal role, you will champion a future-forward packaging strategy that seamlessly blends cutting‑edge innovation with robust operational excellence. Ensure packaging solutions are not only safe, compliant, and market‑ready but also contribute to a more sustainable and circular portfolio for tomorrow. Collaborate globally to define the packaging pipeline, translating profound consumer insights and market demands into high‑performing, cost‑effective, and environmentally conscious packaging solutions. Lead the end‑to‑end development process, from initial concept through to successful launch.

If you're ready to make a significant impact and lead a team that's revolutionizing packaging,

Responsibilities

• Co-create and deliver the global SN packaging innovation pipeline, ensuring excellence on quality, timing, and cost;
• Lead end‑to‑end packaging development from concept through validation, qualification, and market implementation;
• Translate consumer insights, market trends, and business needs into tangible packaging solutions and prototypes;
• Drive ideation and prototyping, turning concepts into testable and scalable packaging innovations;
• Ensure progress on packaging sustainability commitments and circularity objectives;
• Build and strengthen advanced packaging capabilities that benefit the wider organization;
• Lead cross‑functional collaboration with global teams, markets, and external partners to deliver impactful solutions;
• Provide strategic direction and governance, prioritizing high‑value initiatives and stopping non‑viable projects early;
• Partner with IP teams to translate innovations into patents and protect competitive advantage;
• Represent projects to senior stakeholders through clear, impactful presentations and technical reviews;
• Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing team, fostering a culture of learning, innovation, and accountability;
• Create and leverage external ecosystems to access new technologies and maintain a competitive edge.

Requirements

• University degree in Packaging, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related discipline;
• 10+ years of packaging experience, with deep expertise in flexible and fibre packaging technologies;
• Proven track record in leading complex, multi‑stakeholder packaging projects within FMCG, food, or healthcare;
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements for packaging in nutrition, infant, or healthcare categories;
• Subject matter authority in flexible films, laminates, pouches, sachets, and fibre‑based packaging;
• Ability to embed eco‑design principles (lightweighting, mono‑materials, recyclability, renewable fibres) and drive continuous improvements in performance, cost, and sustainability.

Leadership & People Management

• 5+ years of experience leading teams (ideally 5+ people);
• Skilled in setting strategic direction, allocating resources, and coaching technical experts;
• Experienced in building high‑performing, resilient teams that combine innovation with compliance and business continuity;
• Strong ability to connect across functions and geographies, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Strategic thinker able to translate vision into execution;
• Strong stakeholder management, persuasion, and risk management skills;
• Passionate about packaging, sustainability, and innovation, with proven success in global environments;
• Skilled in agile innovation tools and techniques;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present to both technical and non‑technical audiences;
• Fluent in English; other languages are a plus.

The Offer

• competitive primary salary
• a yearly bonus
• premium free pension
• 30 days annual leave
• several discounts on a collective health insurance