The R&D Director, Packaging Research leads the global team responsible for research in the areas of packaging materials and technologies for the Company to support the shorter term and longer term business growth agenda.
The new leader will lead, develop, hire, mentor and motivate a diverse team of world class materials and engineering subject matter experts. They have leadership for identifying and developing transformational new materials & manufacturing technology solutions across the global portfolio that drive our growth, sustainability and business targets while delighting our consumers and providing competitive advantage for our customers.
The leader will partner with Marketing, Business Units, Design, Technical Consumer Research External Technology Acquisition, Bottling Senior Management, Suppliers, Universities and Emerging Technology owners to establish, manage and continuously re-fill global consumer packaging portfolios to enable and support growth of our key categories to meet Company objectives.
Other responsibilities include:
1. Provide both technical and organizational leadership on delivering key global packaging research initiatives and developing strong pipeline of transformational packaging materials and technology solutions.
Work closely with key stakeholders across the Company to identify and shape packaging research opportunities and solutions which support business growth, and build them into the global packaging research pipeline. Communicate and influence system stakeholders to ensure research programs are successfully leveraged across the Company.
Proactively work with marketing and technical to create new packaging concepts, prototypes and solutions enabled by breakthrough, disruptive technologies that provide a competitive advantage. Develop to full scale commercialization meeting business objectives.
Develop key intellectual property positions and fundamental knowledge based on material structure, property and process relationships that support innovation platforms and technologies.
Provide packaging materials & research SME support to key programs across the company.
Build & network with external resources (suppliers, universities, research institutes, innovation agencies, etc.) to drive packaging innovation opportunities which can deliver a competitive advantage to our system.
2. Direct and guide the activities of the Package Research team.
Ensure optimal use of packaging research resources and assets by coordinating the implementation of cross-system and cross-functional project activities.
Proactively manage the processes for packaging research for successful introductions and improvements across the Company.
Continue to develop team capabilities and foster an environment that leads to a highly creative, passionate, learning culture.
Manage packaging research budget.
THE CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate possesses 8-10+ years of experience with a large global or multinational company and/or an organization known for its knowledge and experience in developing world-class business enabling R&D. The candidate will need to bring a unique mix of instant professional credibility and personal power based on knowledge, expertise and existing reputation broadly in the research and development community. The candidate will be a strong strategic thinker and will have led the development of innovative technological business solutions. He/She will have a track record of implementing those theories, concepts, and ideas successfully across a global organization. The ideal candidate is both flexible and adaptable. He/she is able to integrate quickly into an organization, is able to build strong relationships with senior business, marketing and technology leaders, and is able to operate across all areas of a global organization. This candidate will have a strong track record for developing and advancing leaders within their organizations.
The expansive global footprint of the Company creates many issues and opportunities of varying scope and complexity. Strong listening and interpersonal skills are required to balance interests of multiple stakeholders throughout the organization. Designing and implementing solutions across widely dispersed geographies creates varying challenges and opportunities. As such, experience managing in a large, global and diverse organization is required.
MS or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials/Polymer Science, or Mechanical Engineering is expected. Top candidates will have exceptional business acumen, enabling them to operate credibly with senior most operating leaders.
Technical Competencies
Materials/Technology Research: Capability to deliver industry leading packaging material/Technology solutions in compliance with quality and regulatory requirements. Expert knowledge of relevant material physics, structure property relationships, including application/forming technologies and the like. High level of technical curiosity required.
Resource Management: Leverages the full global capability of KO to identify winning solutions globally. Organizes team to have maximum impact on opportunity identification and delivery with the ability to anticipate needs and make plan adjustments in a timely manner. Talent pipeline management is a critical component of this skill.
Planning/Pipeline Development: Capable of effectively positioning technology through all phases of development, from research to development to commercialization with clarity around probability to achieve technical goals.
Supply Chain: Ability to manage and execute strategies across the supply chain to: a) create capabilities for future innovation and b) reduce costs and gain efficiencies in the completion of a quality finished goods. Of high importance is the ability to lead internal R&D programs to create & commercialize disruptive technology that leverage SC, and/or secure advantaged technology from suppliers.
Business Case Development: The ability to establish new projects based defining and effectively communicating a compelling combination of consumer need, technical solutions and business opportunity.
Leadership Behaviors:
DRIVE INNOVATION: Generate new or unique solutions and embrace new ideas that help sustain our business (encompassing everything from continuous improvement to new product and package innovation).
COLLABORATE WITH SYSTEM, CUSTOMERS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS: Develop and leverage relationships with stakeholders to appropriately stretch and impact the System (Company and Bottler).
ACT LIKE AN OWNER: Deliver results, creating value for our brands, our System, our customers and key stakeholders.
INSPIRE OTHERS: Inspire people to deliver our mission and 2020 Vision, demonstrate passion for the business and give people a reason to believe anything is possible.
DEVELOP SELF AND OTHERS: Develop self and support others’ development to achieve full potential.
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