Kraft Heinz

Technical Packaging Expert

Kraft Heinz  •  Nijmegen, NL (Hybrid)  •  10 hours ago
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Job Description

What's on the Menu:

We have an excellent opportunity for a Technical Packaging Expert to make a difference in our R&D organization here at Kraft Heinz! Your role will perform as an essential driver on our Technical Packaging Platform, working alongside passionate packaging professionals striving to achieve ambitious goals. This role combines deep technical and scientific packaging expertise with strategic leadership. You will scout external technologies and materials, build technology pipelines, guide cross‑functional teams, and present recommendations to business leadership. You’ll be reporting to Packaging Development Lead and work alongside cross-functional colleagues and external business partners.

Key Ingredients:

  • Lead independently on global, high‑complexity technology platforms from concept through implementation.

  • Scout and evaluate external ecosystems (materials, processes, technologies) to identify opportunities and risks for the Kraft Heinz portfolio.

  • Build and maintain a technology pipeline that supports strategy and the 10‑year plan in collaboration with Packaging Directors and R&D leadership.

  • Present technical recommendations, risk/IP considerations and business cases to leadership teams.

  • Drive external partnerships and supplier relationships; translate external technology developments into internal plans and scalable solutions.

  • Lead technical validation, cost/benefit analysis and implementation planning for new technologies across Packaging Development, Technology Platforms, Supply Chain and Value Engineering.

  • Coach, train and mentor the global packaging team; promote business best practices and lead by example.

  • Ensure compliance with regulatory, quality and IP requirements; manage technical governance and decision‑making processes.

Recipe for Success: Apply if it sounds like you

  • Degree in Packaging Science, Materials Science, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

  • Significant experience (10+ years) in packaging technology roles (preferably in the food/beverage industry) with increasing responsibility; proven track record leading complex, cross‑functional, global projects.

  • Demonstrated experience scouting and implementing new materials and technologies, including external partnership management.

  • Strong commercial acumen and experience building technology roadmaps, business cases and cost/benefit analyses.

  • Excellent communication and presentation skills with experience briefing senior leadership.

  • Knowledge of IP considerations and regulatory/quality requirements related to packaging.

  • Proven ability to mentor and lead technical teams.

  • Strong in simplifying the complex: able to present complex technical topics to non-technical audience

  • Ability to learn fast and perform in a changing environment

  • Independent worker

  • Understand consumer needs, driver and trends and translate into technical concepts, prototypes and drive towards execution

  • High level of ownership and decision making

  • Team player

  • Fluent in business English (written & verbal)

Work Environment & Schedule

  • Hybrid working model

  • The position sits within the EM&DM R&D Packaging team, based at the R&D Centre in Nijmegen. The role is part of a high performing team, alongside peers always trying to reach the next level.

The function is reporting into the R&D Packaging Lead.

Location(s)

Nijmegen

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes

Kraft Heinz

About Kraft Heinz

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. We’re a globally trusted producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. While Kraft Heinz is co-headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

We spark joy around mealtime with our iconic brands, including Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Heinz, Philadelphia, Lunchables, Velveeta, Maxwell House, Capri Sun, Ore-Ida, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, Primal Kitchen, and Classico, among others.

No matter the brand, we’re united under one vision: To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally. Bringing this vision to life is our team of 37,000+ food lovers, creative thinkers, and high performers worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global partnership with Rise Against Hunger. We also stand committed to responsible, sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we’re transforming the food industry with bold thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion – and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen – there’s only one thing to do: join our table and let’s make life delicious!

Industry
Food & Beverage
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
Chicago, IL
Year Founded
2015
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