Packaging Group Leader - NA R&D

Mondelēz International•East Hanover, NJ

12d•$109,000 - $149,875•Onsite

About The Position

This is a Packaging Development R&D position in the NA Business Unit responsible for delivering against the Productivity, Sustainability, Waste and Quality agendas, physically located in East Hanover, NJ. The individual must possess experience in managing people, package development, technical expertise in flexible films, rigid plastic trays, paperboard cartons and corrugate boxes and plant trial execution in the commercialization process in a fast-paced environment. The individual must possess technical skills, the ability to learn on the fly and execute independently by leveraging their expertise and experience. This candidate must demonstrate the ability to be a strong team leader representing our technical organization. Must be able to find technical or process solutions when problems are identified during the qualification of packaging on our production lines, with timely and effective communication to key stakeholders like local BD, Engineering, Manufacturing and Quality, as well as the cross functional team including Procurement, Marketing, PCDM, CS&L, Product and Process Development.

Requirements

Minimum of 8- 10 year in a packaging development R&D role, preferred food experience.
Experience managing and developing Engineers, as well as achieving results through others.
Experience working in a Research & Development function.
Experience managing and conducting Packaging material plant trials
Planning and project management abilities.
Experience in package development processes.
Analytical and troubleshooting skills.
Experience in development, trials and commercialization of packaging initiatives.
Technical material skill set, ability to develop productivity ideas and commercialize.
Bachelor of Science degree in Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
Must have experience with flexible films (as well as thermoforming rigid plastic trays, paperboard and corrugate).
Demonstrated ability to work with all levels of the organization.
Written and oral communication skills; able to effectively communicate to all levels within the organization.
Ability to get results through working with a diverse team.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage complexity.
Executional excellence, time management and problem-solving competencies.

Nice To Haves

preferred food experience

Responsibilities

Manage a small group of Junior Engineers.
Execute against programs in the Sustainability and Productivity agendas.
Lead the Productivity and Sustainability Group and be the project lead for significant Packaging Development Initiatives in support of key NA Regional packaging programs.
Accountable for delivering programs from concept to commercialization.
Work closely with the Packaging and Procurement teams, operations, business teams as well as other internal and external partners.
Manage the timeline, providing timely communication and updates to Management, outlining issues, risks and contingency plans, driving to and executing commercialization on Productivity and Commercialization Packaging driven initiatives.
Properly document and communicate project progress and findings to all key peer and Senior Leadership stakeholders.
Focus on developing Junior Engineers technical expertise, improve their strengths and development needs, as well as provide career guidance.
Responsible for the Packaging Team that will conduct and coordinate functional testing including plant trials, lab testing, shelf-life studies and material vendor evaluations, including analysis of data, results and follow up recommendations and action plans.
Develop written packaging specifications and completes thorough plant trial reports.
Execute Productivity programs with high demand activities across the NA manufacturing network in Mexico, US and Canada, covering all products including Biscuits, Chocolate and Candy.
Support programs from concept initiation through commercialization.
Help develop/ lead timeline development, risk assessment and contingency plans to ensure execution on projects.
Assess the spec portfolio and find productivity through optimization or harmonization.
Follow the I2M process (commercialization) for assigned projects and keep communication with key stakeholders for implementation.
Provide accurate status updates with sufficient technical knowledge in a timely manner to avoid potential delays on project deliverables.
Lead plant trials for packaging materials, working with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Procurement, Business Development, Production, Supply Chain and Quality).
Properly plan, coordinate and report each trial, provide appropriate level of technical support and troubleshooting to execute trial objectives and ensure proper documentation of each activity.
Design, plan and conduct analytical testing, line trials and package performance testing.
Build and maintain relationships with key pack material vendors on the development of new concepts, materials, and quality improvements.
Leverage and challenge suppliers and partners to develop new technologies and cost advantage packaging formats and materials to achieve business goals.
Troubleshoot technical challenges that arise from package development, line trials and commercialization.
Apply technical material knowledge to current projects; provide technical based solutions.
Apply knowledge of equipment, operation, capacities, limitations, and potential mechanical shortfalls.
Apply knowledge of test methodologies for packaging materials specification development.
Identify gaps within internal testing capabilities.
Be able to recommend additional critical parameters as well as be able to outline procedures and work with quality teams.
Apply knowledge of product, process, and package interactions along with modes of failure to make material recommendations and narrow down variables during development process.