Sustainability Open Innovation & Technology Leader

Segment: Mars Food & Nutrition

Location: Oud-Beijerland, South Holland, Netherlands

Type of contract: permanent, full-time

Drive the Future of Sustainable Packaging Innovation

At Mars Food & Nutrition, we're reimagining packaging to help create a more sustainable future. From advancing circularity and recyclability to exploring breakthrough materials and technologies, innovation is at the heart of delivering our sustainability commitments.

We're looking for a Sustainability Open Innovation & Technology Leader to identify, develop, and scale the next generation of sustainable packaging solutions. This is a highly visible role where you'll connect external innovation ecosystems with internal business priorities, translating emerging technologies into real-world impact across our portfolio.

You'll build strategic partnerships with startups, suppliers, universities, research institutes, and industry leaders while working cross-functionally with Packaging R&D, Sustainability, Regulatory, Engineering, Quality, and Commercial teams to bring future-ready packaging solutions to life.

What are your Key Responsibilities?

Open Innovation & Technology Scouting

• 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.

Packaging Sustainability Innovation

• 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.

Partnership Development & 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.

Technology Development & Implementation

• 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.

What are we looking for?

• Degree in Packaging Science, Materials Science, Engineering, Sustainability, Food Science, or a related technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience in Packaging R&D, Sustainability, Open Innovation, Materials Development, Packaging Technology, or related functions.
• 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 (M.Sc./Ph.D. projects in relevant areas are welcome).
• Experience leading technical projects from concept through implementation.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus

Ready to unlock the next generation of sustainable packaging?

If you're excited by emerging technologies, external innovation, and building partnerships that accelerate sustainability, this could be your opportunity to make a lasting impact at Mars.