Responsible for overseeing and guiding specialized teams within a specific technical discipline. This position ensures the effective application of best practices, standards, and methodologies to enhance project outcomes and operational efficiency. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, the role aims to develop team capabilities, drive continuous improvement, and maintain compliance with industry regulations and safety standards.

Purpose:

To drive the PX mission of creating ‘remarkable and responsible experiences for all’ through the end-to-end technical and creative delivery of packaging solutions. Operating as a blended role across Packaging Innovation and Packaging Engineering, this position independently manages the development of packaging for our innovation pipeline (NPDs) while leading complex business protection initiatives. The role requires in-depth technical expertise to balance consumer desirability, technical feasibility, and business viability, delivering high-impact outcomes within agile 90-day work cycles.

Scope:

Flow to priorities: Lead and execute packaging innovation and engineering tasks for top business priorities. The role operates with a flexible mindset, flowing to 90-day cycle priorities across brands, regions, and manufacturing sites as defined by the business.

Key Outcomes & Outputs:

Delivers robust packaging solutions across Innovation and Business Protection, acting as a proactive practitioner who drives technical excellence and cross-functional alignment.

Innovation & Sustainability:

• Innovation Pipeline (NPDs): Assume end-to-end responsibility for pipeline innovations and design renovations. Create ownable, intuitive, and engaging packaging solutions that deliver notable commercial impact.

• Packaging Development: Independently design, develop, and specify primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging components, ensuring on-time and in-full delivery of project success factors.

• Sustainability (GAIA): Drive the identification, evaluation, and implementation of new, viable packaging materials and technologies that deliver on our environmental goals and regulatory requirements.

Technical Execution & Business Protection:

• Strategic Programs: Lead the technical execution of Bayer's strategic Octopus programs, specifically Squeeze (cost savings) and Skyfall (network optimization), identifying meaningful improvements and operational efficiencies.

• Business Continuity: Manage complex Packaging Business Protection activities, including product transfers, line extensions, and material changes, ensuring efficient production and best-in-class quality.

• Technical Transfer & Supplier Partnership: Act as the key technical lead for the effective transfer of specifications to internal factories and external Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs). Identify and develop key external partnerships (with Procurement) to ensure innovative supplier selection and adherence to cost targets.

Key Working Relations:

• Reporting: PX Capability Home Lead + Packaging Innovation Work Leads.

• PX Community: Close collaboration within Packaging Innovation and Engineering, Product Research, Brand/Product Design, and Graphic Management.

• Science Home Community: Product Development, Regulatory, Medical, and Product Maintenance.

• Cross-Functional Partners: Supply Chain (PS), Procurement, Marketing, Project Management.

• External Partners: Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), Packaging Material Suppliers, and Innovation Agencies.

Qualifications, Skills & Behaviors:

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Packaging, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering (or equivalent) with 6+ years of experience, or a Master's Degree with 3+ years of experience. A proven track record in managing end-to-end packaging development (both innovation and business protection) within FMCG or Consumer Healthcare.

• DSO Mindset: Strong alignment with agile/DSO principles. Operates with a 'creative mindset'-favoring possibility and partnership over rigid conformity. Thrives in 90-day cycles, embraces peer feedback via retrospectives, and continuously drives personal and technical development.

• Stakeholder Management: Engages openly across diverse internal and external stakeholders (e.g., CMOs, Procurement, R&D) to build trust, ensure clarity, and create collective ownership of shared outcomes.

• Dealing with Ambiguity: Operates effectively when situations are unclear or changing. Takes calm, decisive action to maintain momentum and facilitates the resolution of complex problems during the development process.

• Technical Realization (Core Craft): In-depth expertise in packaging materials, manufacturing, and testing protocols. Applies strong project management discipline to translate complex design concepts into scalable, high-quality, and compliant commercial products, ensuring manufacturing operations are functional, cost-efficient, and delivered on time.

• Innovation & Sustainable Design: Proactively turns novel ideas into tangible solutions. Drives informed design trade-offs to minimize our environmental footprint while delivering remarkable consumer experiences.

• Advanced level of English required minimum proficiency C1 level or higher