Open-Innovation Packaging Sustainability Lead

Mars; South Holland (IL); On-site; USD 101,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five Principles

Mars University

Competitive salary & bonus

Job summary

Mars Food & Nutrition seeks a Sustainability Open Innovation & Technology Lead to identify, develop, and scale next-generation sustainable packaging solutions. You will connect external innovation with internal priorities, translating breakthroughs into tangible impact across the portfolio.

You’ll collaborate with Packaging R&D, Sustainability, Regulatory, Engineering, Quality, and Commercial teams to bring future-ready packaging to life and drive circular economy goals.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Packaging R&D, Sustainability, Open Innovation, or related fields.
• Experience evaluating and implementing packaging innovations, new materials, or emerging technologies.
• Experience managing external innovation partnerships and supplier collaborations.
• Strong understanding of packaging materials, recyclability, circular economy principles, and sustainability trends.
• Experience leading technical projects from concept through implementation.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Identify, assess, and prioritize emerging packaging technologies, materials, suppliers, startups, research organizations, and innovation partners.
• Build and manage an external innovation network across academia, technology providers, industry associations, and sustainability ecosystems.
• Continuously monitor packaging technology trends, regulatory developments, competitive activity, and market innovations.
• Evaluate new technologies and materials against sustainability, technical feasibility, cost, scalability, and business requirements.
• Translate external innovation opportunities into actionable business recommendations and project pipelines.
• Lead the identification and development of innovative packaging solutions that support recyclability, recycled content, material reduction, alternative materials, and circular economy objectives.
• Conduct technical assessments, feasibility studies, and proof-of-concept evaluations for new packaging technologies and materials.
• Support development and implementation of packaging solutions that address current and emerging sustainability requirements.
• Build technology and material roadmaps aligned with business priorities, sustainability targets, and regulatory commitments.
• Identify opportunities to accelerate delivery of sustainability goals through innovation and external collaboration.
• Establish and manage strategic relationships with suppliers, startups, universities, research institutes, and technology providers.
• Facilitate collaboration between internal stakeholders and external partners to accelerate innovation delivery.
• Support evaluation, onboarding, and management of innovation partners and development projects.
• Identify opportunities to leverage capabilities across Mars segments, Corporate and external networks.
• Lead innovation projects from opportunity identification through feasibility, development, pilot validation, and implementation.
• Partner with Packaging R&D, S&T, Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and Sustainability teams to scale new technologies and materials.
• Support technology transfer and implementation across internal manufacturing sites and co-manufacturing partners.
• Identify and proactively manage technical risks, barriers, and implementation challenges.
• Support development of business cases, and stakeholder recommendations for innovation investments.
• Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous improvement.

Job description

Mars Food & Nutrition seeks a Sustainability Open Innovation & Technology Lead to identify, develop, and scale next-generation sustainable packaging solutions. You will connect external innovation with internal priorities, translating breakthroughs into tangible impact across the portfolio.

You’ll collaborate with Packaging R&D, Sustainability, Regulatory, Engineering, Quality, and Commercial teams to bring future-ready packaging to life and drive circular economy goals.