Department: Global Development and Innovation

Reporting To: Director / Sr. Director, Packaging GDI

Role Overview:

The Manager, Packaging Development at The Coca-Cola Company is a pivotal role focused on identifying and creating new packaging solutions. This involves leveraging relevant packaging and consumer trends, technical research, and system capabilities to develop innovative packaging. The role includes re-applying ideas from the Coca-Cola Global Packaging network and working with external resources such as design agencies, consultants, universities, and suppliers. The scope of a typical project entails idea generation, proof of concept, design, development, pilot, and trial activities. Candidates must have demonstrated success in developing and commercializing packages and possess the ability to lead cross-functional teams, fostering excellent working relationships across various functional areas.

This role demands a unique combination of technical expertise, visionary thinking, and leadership skills. The ideal candidate will have a robust background in packaging technologies, a proven track record in project management, and a deep commitment to sustainability. You will lead a dynamic team, working closely with cross-functional teams, including Research to Experimentation Team, Operating Unit brand marketing teams, suppliers, bottlers and other stakeholders across the organization, driving innovation that aligns with our sustainability goals and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Expertise: Builds and Manages the Package RDI Pipeline for a given Category in alignment with the strategic objectives of the Operating Unit. Ability to manage large budgets, broad scopes, multiple suppliers and/or team members from partner companies. Imports and exports best in class packaging ideas from other Operating Units or external partners. Knowledge of packaging materials and the related production processes. This includes knowledge of design development, material compatibility, material – machine interface, conversion processes with involved engineering, supplier processes, standards and specifications. Ability to scale new technology into a viable commercial proposition, bench to plant.
End to end knowledge of the packaging industry from raw materials, conversion, printing, application and through distribution network.
Material, product and machine interface optimization with a focus on driving costs and waste out of the system.
Project Management: Manage priorities and guide planning processes to achieve desired outcomes. Create and manage overall project schedules by working with internal and external cross functional team members including bottling partners.
Technical Communication for Business Effectiveness: Disseminate key facts and present complex information in a concise and easily understood manner. Effectively document and communicate routine technical data within R&I and business teams.
Building a Business Case: Leverage influence and negotiation skills, paired with compelling scientific, consumer, and economic data, to create persuasive business cases for new packaging projects. Lead the technical portion of the business case development for routine projects.
Bringing Innovation to Market: Generate and translate innovative ideas into feasible, practical, and cost-effective packaging solutions. Utilize general technology and supply base knowledge to successfully bring innovations to market from inception to implementation using known technologies. Lead pilot and trial activities to validate new packaging concepts and ensure successful market introduction.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Material Science, or a related field; a post-graduate degree is preferred.
5-7 years of previous experience in Packaging Development within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, preferably with experience in the beverage sector.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely. Knowledge of packaging trends, consumer trends, and technical research methodologies.
Ability to work with external resources, including design agencies, consultants, universities, and suppliers, to drive innovation.
Strong problem-solving skills and a creative mindset to identify and develop innovative packaging solutions.

Skills:

Experience working in a global packaging network and familiarity with the re-application of ideas within a large organization.
Change management
Problem Solving
Continuous improvement
Experience with sustainable packaging solutions and an understanding of environmental impacts.

Skills:
Continual Improvement Process; Research and Development Operations; Design of Experiments (DOE); Key Performance Indicators (KPI); Food Processing; Experimenting (Inactive); Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP); Food Production; Project Budgeting; Construction Projects; Waterfall Model; Six Sigma; Process Engineering; Group Problem Solving; Communication; Long Term Planning; Cost Estimates; Data Compilation; Change Management; Technical Documents; Production Processes