Position Overview: We are seeking a dynamic leader to position our team as the industry leader in packaging through our innovation approach. This role involves developing innovative solutions tailored to meet customer demands, resulting in long-term customer loyalty. The team will focus on differentiating our products and processes through customer inspiration and education, packaging development, commercialization and support.
Key Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Strategy, Corporate Development, Manufacturing Operations, and Finance on the technology, design and product roadmap.
• Prepare, monitor, and deliver on business objectives, plans, budgets, and ROI measures.
• Encourage continuous learning, exploration, and innovation of new products and processes.
• Lead long-term technology planning with internal and external teams.
• Partner with strategy and corporate development/M&A for technology scouting and acquisition.
• Track and report on KPIs with innovation leaders and guide the team to evaluate and accelerate business opportunities.
• Develop relationships with internal partners, customers, and industry associations to promote innovation.
Discovery:
• Partner across sales, segments, and market development teams to organize and prioritize projects (desirable, viable, feasible).
Research, Scientific Development, Testing & Technical:
• Focus on new product development, R&D, barrier testing requirements.
• Conduct supply chain audits, cost takeout, and margin analysis.
Commercialization:
• Bring products and designs to market through operations, finance, and commercial channels.
Design & Packaging Engineering:
• Lead a Center of Excellence focused on design innovation to meet customer demands at a local and account level.
Customer Experience:
• Facilitate a different dialogue with all stakeholders through a customer experience center with a clear focus on the customer.
Project Management:
• Implement project management tools to measure progress and drive efficiencies across the portfolio.
• Develop a resourcing model to support business priorities and manage technical resource allocations.
• Consult with and influence management across functions and business units to ensure alignment and drive issue resolution.
• Provide portfolio and project status updates to senior management monthly and drive quarterly project prioritization.
Leadership Skills:
• Coach, mentor, and teach key skills in leadership, stakeholder management, problem-solving, risk management, and budgeting.
• Recruit top talent to the organization.
• Develop technology value propositions to address customer pain points and champion customer needs.
• Build robust business cases to commercialize R&D projects in partnership with marketing and product commercialization teams.
• Foster a culture of creativity and structured problem-solving.
• Influence P&L leaders and decision-makers across functions to drive decisions and issue resolution.
• Oversee the continuous improvement and training of the stage-gate process.
Qualifications:
• Effective communication skills (verbal and written).
• Thought leadership with the ability to craft and articulate a compelling vision for innovation.
• An owner’s mindset with a bias for action and the ability to set clear goals and drive accountability.
• Proven expertise in Portfolio Management with the ability to manage multiple large projects simultaneously.
• Ability to manage and gauge risk while working with ambiguity.
• Experience leading a Project Management Office (PMP or other PM certifications preferred).
• Expertise in driving a cross-functional stage-gate process.
• Prior R&D experience developing and launching new products.
• Change agility with experience driving organizational change acceleration.
• 15+ years of leadership experience in a large multinational industrial or consumer products company.
• 10+ years of Portfolio and Project Management experience managing a diverse portfolio of complex R&D projects.
• Experience managing teams with 10 or more professionals.
• Experience building and managing annual operating budgets.
• Ability to recruit and develop top talent and sponsor professional development to build a robust talent pipeline and succession plan.
Technical Skills:
• Pulp & Paper Manufacturing
• Engineering
• Strategic Planning
• Material Science
• Technical learning (quickly master new knowledge)
Education:
• a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a Masters/PhD preferred
• Preferred: Six Sigma certification, continuous improvement background
If you are a visionary leader with a passion for innovation and a proven track record in the packaging industry, we invite you to apply and join our team in driving excellence and customer satisfaction.