Packaging Group Leader - NA R&D

Job Description
Are You Ready to Make It Happen at Mondelēz International?
Join our Mission to Lead the Future of Snacking. Make It With Pride.
This is a Packaging Development R&D position in the NA Business Unit responsible for delivering against the Productivity, Sustainability, Waste and Quality agendas, physically located in East Hanover, NJ. The individual must possess experience in managing people, package development, technical expertise in flexible films, rigid plastic trays, paperboard cartons and corrugate boxes and plant trial execution in the commercialization process in a fast-paced environment.
How you will contribute
The individual must possess technical skills, the ability to learn on the fly and execute independently by leveraging their expertise and experience. This candidate must demonstrate the ability to be a strong team leader representing our technical organization. Must be able to find technical or process solutions when problems are identified during the qualification of packaging on our production lines, with timely and effective communication to key stakeholders like local BD, Engineering, Manufacturing and Quality, as well as the cross functional team including Procurement, Marketing, PCDM, CS&L, Product and Process Development.
Productivity, Waste & Quality Responsibilities
The scope of this position is a Packaging Group Leader managing a small group of Junior Engineers, as well as a Project Lead executing against programs in the Sustainability and Productivity agendas.

• The candidate will lead the Productivity and Sustainability Group and be the project lead for significant Packaging Development Initiatives in support of key NA Regional packaging programs. Reporting into this role are Packaging Engineers commercializing productivity and sustainability programs. As the project lead, you will be accountable for delivering programs from concept to commercialization. The candidate will work closely with the Packaging and Procurement teams, operations, business teams as well as other internal and external partners. As the project Lead, the candidate will need a strong skill set in project management, influencing, drive for results, communication and leadership, as well as owning the accountability of executing programs and delivering productivity savings.
• Packaging Development Leader for a Packaging Team, having interaction with a cross functional team managing the timeline, providing timely communication and updates to Management, outlining issues, risks and contingency plans, driving to and executing commercialization on Productivity and Commercialization Packaging driven initiatives.
• Properly document and communicate project progress and findings to all key peer and Senior Leadership stakeholders.
• Focus on developing Junior Engineers technical expertise, improve their strengths and development needs, as well as provide career guidance.
• Responsible for the Packaging Team that will conduct and coordinate functional testing including plant trials, lab testing, shelf-life studies and material vendor evaluations, including analysis of data, results and follow up recommendations and action plans. The direct reports are responsible, and the candidate will be accountable for project deliverables.
• Working knowledge of the specification system and others to support role, as well as develop written packaging specifications and completes thorough plant trial reports.

What you will bring
A desire to drive your future and accelerate your career and the following experience and knowledge:

• Execute Productivity programs with high demand activities across the NA manufacturing network in Mexico, US and Canada, covering all products including Biscuits, Chocolate and Candy. Support programs from concept initiation through commercialization. Help develop/ lead timeline development, risk assessment and contingency plans to ensure execution on projects.
• A technical understanding of Packaging Specifications is required for commercializing robust performance-based specs and improving the quality of the spec content. Assess the spec portfolio and find productivity through optimization or harmonization. Knowledge is required of paperboard cartons, flexible films, corrugate cases and rigid plastic trays.
• Follow the I2M process (commercialization) for assigned projects and keep communication with key stakeholders for implementation. This includes participating in project update meetings led by PCM and key cross functional team members or critical updates to senior leadership. Provide accurate status updates with sufficient technical knowledge in a timely manner to avoid potential delays on project deliverables.
• Lead plant trials for packaging materials, working with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Procurement, Business Development, Production, Supply Chain and Quality). Properly plan, coordinate and report each trial, provide appropriate level of technical support and troubleshooting to execute trial objectives and ensure proper documentation of each activity.
• Design, plan and conduct analytical testing, line trials and package performance testing.
• Build and maintain relationships with key pack material vendors on the development of new concepts, materials, and quality improvements. Leverage and challenge suppliers and partners to develop new technologies and cost advantage packaging formats and materials to achieve business goals.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges that arise from package development, line trials and commercialization.

More about this role
What you need to know about this position:
What extra ingredients you will bring:

• Packaging Materials: apply technical material knowledge to current projects; provide technical based solutions. Must have experience with flexible films (as well as thermoforming rigid plastic trays, paperboard and corrugate).
• Packaging Equipment: apply knowledge of equipment, operation, capacities, limitations, and potential mechanical shortfalls.
• Packaging Evaluation: apply knowledge of test methodologies for packaging materials specification development. Identify gaps within internal testing capabilities. Be able to recommend additional critical parameters as well as be able to outline procedures and work with quality teams.
• Product Packaging interactions: apply knowledge of product, process, and package interactions along with modes of failure to make material recommendations and narrow down variables during development process.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all levels of the organization.
• Written and oral communication skills; able to effectively communicate to all levels within the organization.
• Ability to get results through working with a diverse team.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage complexity.
• Executional excellence, time management and problem-solving competencies.

Education / Certifications:
Bachelor of Science degree in Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
Job specific requirements:

• Minimum of 8- 10 year in a packaging development R&D role, preferred food experience.
• Experience managing and developing Engineers, as well as achieving results through others.
• Experience working in a Research & Development function.
• Experience managing and conducting Packaging material plant trials
• Planning and project management abilities.
• Experience in package development processes.
• Analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience in development, trials and commercialization of packaging initiatives.
• Technical material skill set, ability to develop productivity ideas and commercialize.

Travel requirements:
Ability to travel up to 20% of the time for vendor/ manufacturing trials.
Work schedule:
Onsite role based in East Hanover, NJ.
Salary and Benefits:
The base salary range for this position is $109,000 to $149,875; the exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education and location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results. In addition, Mondelez International offers the following benefits: health insurance, wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education related programs, paid holidays and vacation time. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.
No Relocation support available
Business Unit Summary
The United States is the largest market in the Mondelēz International family with a significant employee and manufacturing footprint. Here, weproduce our well-loved household favorites to provide our consumers with the right snack, at the right moment, made the right way. We have corporate offices, sales, manufacturing and distribution locations throughout the U.S. to ensure our iconic brands-including Oreo and Chips Ahoy! cookies, Ritz, Wheat Thins and Triscuit crackers, and Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids confectionery products -are close at hand for our consumers across the country.
Mondelēz Global LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require accommodation to participate in the job application process may contact 847-943-5460 for assistance.
For more information about your Federal rights, please see eeopost.pdf; EEO is the Law Poster Supplement; Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision; Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
Job Type
Regular
Packaging Development & Engineering
Science & Engineering