Technical Packaging Expert

Job Description

What's on the Menu:

We have an excellent opportunity for a Technical Packaging Expert to make a difference in our R&D organization here at Kraft Heinz! Your role will perform as an essential driver on our Technical Packaging Platform, working alongside passionate packaging professionals striving to achieve ambitious goals. This role combines deep technical and scientific packaging expertise with strategic leadership. You will scout external technologies and materials, build technology pipelines, guide cross‑functional teams, and present recommendations to business leadership. You’ll be reporting to Packaging Development Lead and work alongside cross-functional colleagues and external business partners.

Key Ingredients:

• Lead independently on global, high‑complexity technology platforms from concept through implementation.

• Scout and evaluate external ecosystems (materials, processes, technologies) to identify opportunities and risks for the Kraft Heinz portfolio.

• Build and maintain a technology pipeline that supports strategy and the 10‑year plan in collaboration with Packaging Directors and R&D leadership.

• Present technical recommendations, risk/IP considerations and business cases to leadership teams.

• Drive external partnerships and supplier relationships; translate external technology developments into internal plans and scalable solutions.

• Lead technical validation, cost/benefit analysis and implementation planning for new technologies across Packaging Development, Technology Platforms, Supply Chain and Value Engineering.

• Coach, train and mentor the global packaging team; promote business best practices and lead by example.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory, quality and IP requirements; manage technical governance and decision‑making processes.

Recipe for Success: Apply if it sounds like you

• Degree in Packaging Science, Materials Science, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

• Significant experience (10+ years) in packaging technology roles (preferably in the food/beverage industry) with increasing responsibility; proven track record leading complex, cross‑functional, global projects.

• Demonstrated experience scouting and implementing new materials and technologies, including external partnership management.

• Strong commercial acumen and experience building technology roadmaps, business cases and cost/benefit analyses.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills with experience briefing senior leadership.

• Knowledge of IP considerations and regulatory/quality requirements related to packaging.

• Proven ability to mentor and lead technical teams.

• Strong in simplifying the complex: able to present complex technical topics to non-technical audience

• Ability to learn fast and perform in a changing environment

• Independent worker

• Understand consumer needs, driver and trends and translate into technical concepts, prototypes and drive towards execution

• High level of ownership and decision making

• Team player

• Fluent in business English (written & verbal)

Work Environment & Schedule

• Hybrid working model

• The position sits within the EM&DM R&D Packaging team, based at the R&D Centre in Nijmegen. The role is part of a high performing team, alongside peers always trying to reach the next level.

The function is reporting into the R&D Packaging Lead.

Location(s)

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.