Director - Research & Development

Amcor•Neenah, WI

18h

About The Position

The Director, R&D Operations and Innovation leads the development and execution of differentiated technologies, products, and capabilities that strengthen Amcor’s competitive position and advance its global innovation agenda. The role works across R&D, commercial, marketing, operations, and business teams to identify opportunities, translate market and customer needs into innovation strategies, and guide programs from concept through commercialization. The Director creates alignment across regions, builds organizational capability, and establishes processes, tools, and governance to deliver innovation efficiently and consistently. The position combines strategic leadership, technical expertise, and business acumen to accelerate growth, improve performance, and deliver value for customers worldwide. The role leads the global R&D Operations team, provides matrix leadership across regional and business-group R&D organizations, and participates in the Global R&D extended leadership team. It also manages budgets, resources, and investments to align work with high-value business and innovation priorities. Travel of up to 50% is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Packaging, Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a related technical field.
10+ years of progressive experience in R&D, product development, innovation, engineering, or technical operations within a manufacturing, industrial, packaging, consumer goods, or related environment.
Experience leading global or multi-regional technical teams, including direct team leadership and matrix leadership across functions and business groups.
Demonstrated success developing and commercializing innovative products, technologies, processes, or platforms that deliver measurable business results.
Ability to connect customer, market, and business needs with technical strategies and execution plans.
Experience managing budgets, resource allocation, and investment priorities across multiple initiatives.
Experience collaborating with external partners, including customers, suppliers, universities, research organizations, and technology providers.
Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to travel up to 50%.

Nice To Haves

Advanced technical degree and/or MBA.
Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies; certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner with technical, commercial, and business leaders to define and execute a global R&D operations strategy aligned with growth priorities and customer needs.
Balance short-, medium-, and long-term innovation investments through portfolio management and prioritization.
Establish objectives, resource plans, and operating rhythms that advance innovation and business goals.
Drive continuous improvement across R&D processes, capabilities, and ways of working.
Lead development and commercialization of technologies, materials, products, and platforms that create customer value and support business growth.
Translate customer, consumer, and market insights into technology roadmaps, development priorities, and business cases.
Use existing technologies, best practices, and global expertise to accelerate speed-to-market and improve commercialization success.
Guide innovation programs from concept through launch and support transitions into business ownership and ongoing operations.
Develop and implement processes, tools, metrics, dashboards, and governance frameworks that improve visibility, decision-making, and execution.
Monitor portfolio and project performance to ensure initiatives align with strategic objectives and business outcomes.
Promote data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement across the organization.
Strengthen quality, knowledge-sharing, and feedback mechanisms to improve technical and operational effectiveness.
Partner across marketing, commercial, operations, procurement, and R&D teams.
Collaborate with customers, suppliers, universities, research institutions, and technology partners to identify and advance opportunities.
Represent the organization in customer and partner interactions, addressing technical challenges and supporting business objectives.
Foster collaboration across regions to share expertise, capabilities, and best practices.
Participate in the Global R&D extended leadership team and help shape innovation priorities and long-term capability strategies.
Lead the global R&D Operations team and provide matrix leadership across regional and business-group R&D organizations.
Build high-performing teams by developing talent, encouraging collaboration, and creating opportunities for growth.
Champion innovation, accountability, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing.
Manage budgets, resources, and investments in alignment with high-value business and innovation priorities.
Evaluate trade-offs and allocate resources across innovation, commercialization, operational support, and continuous improvement activities.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans
Flexible time off, starting at 80 hours paid time per year for full-time salaried employees
Company-paid holidays, starting at 8 days per year and varying by location
Wellbeing program and Employee Assistance Program
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
Life insurance, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability, and voluntary benefits
Paid Parental Leave
Retirement Savings Plan with company match
Tuition Reimbursement, dependent upon approval
Discretionary annual bonus program, with initial eligibility dependent upon hire date