Packaging Manager

The Kraft Heinz Company; Nijmegen; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kraft Heinz Company in Nijmegen seeks a Packaging Manager to lead highly complex packaging projects, set technology strategy, and drive long-term innovation across global teams.

You will collaborate with R&D leaders, manage an open innovation pipeline, evaluate new materials and processes, and mentor staff to strengthen capabilities and deliver sustainability, quality, and efficiency gains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in packaging-related field.
• 10+ years of packaging development experience in a complex, matrix organization.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and leading cross-regional initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead highly complex packaging projects, platforms, and technical workstreams.
• Shape packaging technology strategy and contribute to long-term roadmaps.
• Collaborate with global R&D leadership and external technology partners.
• Coach and mentor packaging professionals to strengthen organizational capability.
• Drive sustainability, quality, and efficiency through packaging innovations.

Skills

Packaging engineering

Leadership

Strategic planning

Global collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Packaging/related

Job description

Job Description

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 Responsibilities

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.

Qualifications

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 Competencies

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)

Nijmegen

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes**.**