R&D Packaging Director

R&D Packaging Director

Join our team! Global Foods Packaging Equipment and Applications Development

The Director of Global Foods Packaging Equipment and Applications Development will be responsible for development of future breakthrough packaging applications and systems by integrating materials, machinery, modeling, prototyping and validation. This role is critical to enabling PepsiCo Foods sustainable packaging commitments, portfolio of the future innovation and breakthrough productivity targets. This role must provide thought leadership that is a key component of the Foods Packaging Science and Technology agenda.

The candidate must provide critical input for Horizon 2 / 3 strategy development planning while maintaining focus on immediate program deliverables. This leader must build and maintain relationship with internal and external partners and suppliers to develop and enable breakthrough technology.

Responsibilities

• Lead experienced packaging engineering team to design, develop and deploy breakthrough packaging machinery capabilities and applications to drive PepsiCo Foods strategic sustainability, portfolio innovation, and productivity agendas
• Lead R&D development and commercialization of new primary packaging technologies and applications for alternative food packaging formats such as rigids, composite canister, and flexible formats
• Oversee execution of commercialization activities : from lab based trials to full scale production via robust CQV processes
• Create robust business case analysis supporting program justification and program sell in to senior leadership teams
• Develop, nurture and sustain technology partnerships & partnership ecosystem(s) to enable breakthrough and advantaged joint technology development
• Explore, identify and validate novel packaging applications compatible with PepsiCo capital assets and infrastructure
• Create and execute project timelines including managing packaging resources and budgets
• Selection and management of key vendor relationships to deliver successful programs
• Packaging lead to cross-functional project teams, coordinate with Engineering / Operations / Marketing partners through various project stages
• Periodically update Senior Management with program progress
• Build strong relationships with internal and external cross functional partners
• Scope capability needs of projects to allocate resources, budget and headcount based on category priorities
• Serve as Packaging SME to provide input for technical feasibility / readiness assessments for not only R&D programs / projects but also Engineering and Op programs / projects.
• Attract and build a diverse, high-performing team with capabilities needed to achieve current and future business objectives

Compensation and Benefits

Qualifications