Materials and Ecommerce Packaging Manager

Materials and Ecommerce Packaging Manager, Research & Innovation (R&I), LIPTON Teas & Infusions

Work Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

WL:  2B/2C

Job Type: Full Time 

Travel required 30% to 50% of time
 
Role Summary
The role entails looking after packaging development and execution globally for new materials and the Ecommerce Value creation plans. The focus is landing key global designs developed from the central team based in Amsterdam in the different regions in the world either directly or via the regional packaging teams. The role reports into the Packaging Director based in the global Research and innovation centre in Amsterdam. This role is part of a global packaging team with global packaging colleagues based in Amsterdam and other key regions such as Europe, AMET, BSPAN AMERICAS and ASIA-PACIFIC. This role is a stepping stone for someone who wants to be at the centre of new packaging design developments for new material technologies and ecommerce packaging. Any decisions made for packaging has to be aligned with the global packaging strategy and local market needs. Communication flow and transfer, between global packaging team and regional business teams is key.

Key Tasks on the role
●    Technical project leader / Packaging workstream leader for key packaging projects
●    Participating and managing packaging discussions in key gatekeeping meetings globally for the Ecommerce VCP
●    Delivering the Value creation plans for global tea segments decided in the global headquarters in Amsterdam 
●    Looking for and sharing inspirational packaging designs and developments to the global packaging team
●    Responsible for adhering to the company targets on packaging sustainability and net zero on a 6 monthly/quarterly basis
●    Developing and designing packaging to the packaging action standards for each packaging material
●    Responsible for the creation, development and completion of packaging specifications and P&Ps (Packaging & Palletisation specs) in the company data system for all key innovations, redesigns or activities for packaging.
●    Managing, coaching and leading the resource of 5 direct reports

Stakeholder Management and key interfaces
●    Daily interactions with the VCP, regional and local business teams:, marketing, procurement, supply chain, finance, sales and customer teams
●    Reporting to the global packaging director
●    Managing key contacts and connections with key packaging suppliers, factories and 3rd party copackers
●    Working closely with the VCP packaging managers and regional packaging managers for managing program resources efficiently and effectively

 Skills and Experience 
•    Experienced packaging engineer/developer/ designer/ manager for 10+ years. 
•    Highly experienced in dealing with different packaging materials particularly paper and board, flexibles and aseptic packaging.
•    Expertise in plastics, glass, metal, other materials ideal
•    Experience of developing and implement new novel materials and technologies 
•    Ecommerce packaging experience preferred
•    Fluent in English, other languages ideal
•    Basic awareness in business acumen e.g. cost of goods, gross margins etc
•    Minimum 10+ years in FMCG/Retail 
•    Minimum Bachelors Degree in packaging materials, engineering, design or equivalent
•    Knowledge of teabag materials and technologies preferable 

Who we are looking for the role
●    Great communicator, able to efficiently manage multiple stakeholders at local, regional and global level. 
●    Problem solving skills, great at troubleshooting various issues 
●    People centric, consumer centric and customer centric – ability to create and maintain relationships organically 
●    Flexible and agile with handling multiple and different kind of projects with fast past changes, for example able to work on a regional project and be fluid 
●    Great leadership skills in coaching key resources both regionally and globally
●    Ability to prioritise and manage multiple projects with excellent time management skills