Packaging Director (Circularity & Capabilities)

Research & Innovation at Danone Nutricia Research

Danone Nutricia Research builds bridges between science and food. Our Research Centre for Specialized Nutrition, located in the Utrecht Science Park in the Netherlands, is a state-of-the-art Life Science innovation center for the development of new product concepts and the ongoing improvement of our existing range for Specialized Nutrition (SN). We create formulas that provide clinically substantiated health benefits to vulnerable consumers - infants, toddlers, elderly, and patients. By bringing together employees from different backgrounds, with complementary scientific and technological expertise, we have been able to build a creative, high-spirit powerhouse to spur our innovation. With over 600 employees, the Utrecht R&I centre delivers evidence-based specialised nutrition to infants, pregnant women, patients, and the elderly.

Define and drive the SN R&I Packaging sustainability strategy and develop the physical and digital and data capabilities to underpin the growth agenda of the category. Leverage sustainability as a competitive edge, ensuring delivery of Design 4 Recycling, CO2 & Plastic reduction targets against the Danone 2030 commitments.

Build capabilities in Industrial design to deliver the next generation pack formats.

Ensure the relevancy of current packaging portfolio with legislation and the brand and regional roadmaps.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Strategy/Vision: Functional Strategy

Define and drive the SN R&I Packaging sustainability strategy and develop the physical and digital and data capabilities to underpin the growth agenda of the category.

Leverage sustainability as a competitive edge, ensuring delivery of Design 4 Recycling, CO2 & Plastic reduction targets against the Danone 2030 commitments.

Impact on Business Results:

• Packaging is the #1 Environmental Concern of consumers
• Delivery of the 2030 Danone Impact Journey Roadmap and tools.
• Design & Build of digital and data capabilities to optimise Taxation and ensure compliance.
• Acceleration of key projects through design and prototyping capabilities. Increased IP through Design & Discovery exploration.

Process & Projects

• Design 4 Recycling, carbon reduction, Plastic reduction, Evergreen, Falcon, Packaging explorations.

Managerial Complexity:

• Align packaging sustainability initiatives with the overall business strategy and growth objectives.
• Lead cross-functional teams to drive sustainability projects and initiatives.
• Engage stakeholders and senior leadership around sustainability topic and navigate conflicting requirements.
• Influencing beyond immediate scope both functionally and cross functionally
• Integrates both the development of their area of specialism activity at global and the other factors relevant to their domain

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Define SN R&I Packaging strategy & Investment plans on category & implement
• Acquire, build and leverage existing packaging expertise, synergize & share experience to level packaging ambition for the category
• Design and deliver project portfolio in line with consumers and business needs while leveraging sustainability as a competitive edge
• Ensure the relevancy of current packaging portfolio to meet consumer’s needs, regulatory requirements by proposing relevant renovation adjustments

KEY METRICS

• Secure License to Operate Current (Pack) and Future (carbon costs)
• Ensure Investment and realization of packaging plans
• Protect and Shape hospital tenders via pack transfo (Recyclability & Weight)
• CO2 & Plastic reduction targets against the Danone 2030 commitments
• Pack Tax Avoidance

About you

• Experiences/Expertise
• Master packaging competencies to innovate and adapt to SN specificities.
• Strong collaborative and partnering mindset & Business savviness
• Forward and strategic thinker to influence user centric design
• Proven track record of developing and implementing sustainability strategies.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, technologies, and sustainability trends
• Masters Packaging Engineering, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in packaging, sustainability, or a related field within the FMCG industry

About Danone

Working here you’ll need to enjoy a fast-pace, complexity and it can get a little challenging. But it’s packed with opportunities. You’ll work with some of the best-known brands in the world, such as Evian, Nutricia, Activia and Nutrilon and we absolutely guarantee that you can just be yourself. Be innovative and entrepreneurial and the impact you could make might just amaze you. Join our movement for a healthier world. One Planet One Health BY YOU.

We are proud to be an equal employer. We are convinced our differences make the difference and that an inclusive working environment will drive our growth as a business, as teams and as individuals. We will therefore consider all applicants for employment* fostering an inclusive working culture that is accessible for all

Job details

Dedicated to bringing health through food to as many people as possible, we are a leading global food & beverage company built on four businesses: Essential Dairy and Plant-Based Products, Waters, Early Life Nutrition and Medical Nutrition.