Research Lead, R&D - Rigid Packaging

Job Description Job Purpose    As the   Rigid Packaging Technical Research Lead , you will provide technical leadership to develop and advance rigid packaging material and format solutions for the North American portfolio. The objective of the role is to develop and lead technical strategies and deliver novel, functional, cost-competitive rigid packaging solutions that meet sustainability requirements, while supporting innovation, compliance, and value engineering initiatives. You will partner with Innovation, Process, and Platform packaging teams and cross-functional stakeholders to translate technical and sustainability requirements into commercially manufacturable solutions, including identifying material/polymer/packaging technology solutions and research pathways, leading proof of concept, technology scale-up, and transition to business units.   Essential   Functions &   Responsibilities     ​ ​ Lead and prioritize rigid packaging technical initiatives, balancing technology exploration with proof of concept of novel technologies and building clear business cases for applications that address technical hurdles, drive speed to market, and enable competitive advantage.   ​ Build, coordinate, and manage external partnerships across the value chain (e.g., resin, coating, material suppliers; universities; institutes; start-ups; open innovation networks; scouting partners) to support rigid packaging technology development   and external industry partnerships to influence   recycling standards.   ​ Provide technical leadership and oversight to ensure design decisions align with enterprise standards, manufacturability, sustainability needs, and long-term platform   strategy .   ​ Develop and lead   North American R&D   rigid   packaging   training,   and act as   a technical expert for packaging developers and direct technical problem solving as needed on rigid packaging projects.   ​ Mentor   and   coach project team members and contribute to PMO best practices and templates.   ​ Partner with Legal to build robust IP strategies, including exploration to build an IP portfolio to drive competitive advantage.   ​ Apply Design of Experiments (DoE) and statistics and strong technical problem-solving practices to research, development, and validation work.   ​ Support   prototyping development for consumer testing,   pilot line setup and scale-up to industrial production as required to enable commercialization. ​   People Management Responsibilities   Individual Contributor   Key Outputs & Deliverables    Deliver and execute rigid packaging  technology strategy  and help prioritize a portfolio of complex packaging technology/format initiatives supporting  sustainability, innovation, and value engineering  initiatives.   Lead technical delivery of complex rigid packaging projects from  concept through proof of concept and handover , meeting committed timelines, budgets, and technical performance targets.   Ensure full compliance with evolving  sustainability and regulatory requirements , including:   Minimizing  Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)  fees   Designing solutions that avoid  material bans and regulatory risks   Advancing  recyclable, reusable, and compliant  packaging formats aligned with enterprise sustainability goals and legislative requirements   Deliver packaging designs to  Performance-Based Specifications (PBS)  to meet defined functional, quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance outcomes.   Expected Experience   & Required Skills   BS/MS/PhD  degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering preferred, or related discipline.   Minimum 11   years  of R&D technology development and commercialization experience   with extensive experience in rigid   packaging and project leadership (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred) .     Experience working at converter or upstream resin or technology provider ideal.   Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end development projects, identifying and driving packaging technology initiatives, leading external partnership relationships, and coordinating cross-functional teams.   Strong technical knowledge of  materials  (polymers, barriers   and additives , etc.) and  manufacturing constraints , including converting processes (e.g., filling, labeling, molding , injection molding, extrusion blow molding, thermoforming ), bottle closure and dispensing systems   Proven  project management/PMO skills , including project governance, risk management, budget management, and stakeholder reporting.   Expert knowledge of  design of experiments and statistics  and technical problem solving.   Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; ability to influence at all levels.   Previous experience leading complex, multisite or global packaging or technology launches.   Advanced   knowledge of  sustainable packaging solutions , material/package industry standards and regulations.   Experience with  pilot line setups and scaleup  to industrial production.   Willingness and ability to  travel up to 25%  of the time.   Work Environment & Schedule   This position   operates   primarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center ( Glenview , IL).    Physical   demands   include but   not   limited to   ​ ​ Regular office work   ​ Physical presence at labs and manufacturing sites (internal and external) to perform experimental and validation testing ​   This job description is not designed to cover or contain all duties or responsibilities that are required of the role. Duties or responsibiliti