Senior Manager, Materials and Packaging

Overview

The Materials Center of Excellence (COE) Senior Manager leads the execution and advancement of material strategies that enable innovative, sustainable, and compliant products and packaging across the organization.

This role acts as a central materials expert, partnering cross-functionally with Product Development, Sourcing, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, and Sustainability teams to standardize material selection, improve performance, and support responsible material sourcing. You will identify opportunities for better materials, work with supplier partners to test and approve solutions for food and non‑food consumer goods applications, and train product teams to incorporate recyclability as a default outcome.

• Energy and passion for environmental sustainability.
• A technical perspective on packaging and plastics in manufacturing, and knowledge of how packaging is collected, sorted, and recycled.
• A natural curiosity to learn new things, and a mind for simplifying complex ideas.
• An ability to share knowledge and coach technical peers.

• Develop and maintain an understanding of global objectives for material circularity, and global definitions for recyclability.
• Support vendors in self‑identifying where conversions are required, and review proposed solutions for approval.
• Lead training for the broader Product Development and Food Safety Team on packaging and plastics content.
• Review packaging specifications for accuracy and completeness, and help suppliers enter correct data into our systems.
• Evaluate and recommend current packaging innovations and support pilot projects to test new concepts.
• Support development and implementation of enterprise material strategies and standards.
• Maintain approved material libraries, specifications, and best‑practice guidelines.
• Evaluate material selections across projects to ensure alignment with performance, cost, and sustainability goals.
• Execute material initiatives aligned with ESG and circularity targets (recyclability, waste reduction, responsible sourcing).
• Partner with regulatory and quality teams to ensure materials meet evolving compliance requirements.
• Support environmental impact tracking and reporting related to material use.
• Monitor industry and regulatory trends impacting materials and packaging.
• Research and assess new materials, technologies, and supplier innovations.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert supporting product commercialization projects.
• Work with suppliers to evaluate material capabilities and innovation opportunities.
• Maintain centralized material documentation and data accuracy.
• Track KPIs related to material adoption, sustainability outcomes, and risk mitigation.

• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in a technical packaging role.
• Experience working across multiple packaging materials.
• Post‑secondary university degree (Industrial Design or similar).
• Strong technical skills (e.g., AutoCAD).
• Advanced understanding of packaging engineering and plastics manufacturing.
• Advanced knowledge of the Golden Design Rules.
• Basic knowledge of applicable government regulations.
• Some North American recycling industry knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and relationship management.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as a team member.
• Excellent analytical skills, highly organized, and able to prioritize projects and tasks.
• Ability to influence and interact effectively with all levels at retail/distribution, vendor, and office locations.
• Creative problem‑solving skills.
• Results‑oriented mindset.

• We are committed to creating accessible environments for colleagues, candidates and customers.
• Requests for accommodation due to a disability (visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment.
• We encourage candidates to share accommodation needs to provide equitable opportunities.

Candidates 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.

Hiring Range: $ – $ per year.