Director,R&D – Packaging E2E Execution Job Glenview area,Illinois USA,Management

Define and execute portfolio strategy across Packaging Complex Projects and Productivity, optimizing for business impact, technical feasibility, and resource allocation
Own the development, prioritization, and health of the Productivity pipeline to consistently deliver >$7-$10MM in annual cost savings
Drive delivery of packaging projects with >$750MM NSV impact, ensuring >95% Right-First-Time success through rigorous stage-gate and risk management processes
Partner with senior leadership across R&D, Operations, Procurement, and Business Units to shape packaging investment priorities and enterprise packaging strategy
Establish and steward technical standards, governance frameworks, and best practices for complex packaging development and Productivity execution
Champion Right-First-Time delivery through robust design-for-manufacturability principles, supplier qualification, and cross-functional risk management
Drive sustainability integration across the packaging portfolio in alignment with corporate ESG commitments and evolving regulatory requirements
Lead strategic supplier engagement to unlock innovation, cost competitiveness, and supply chain resilience
Collaborate with Packaging Innovation and Procurement to build and manage a best-in-class supplier partnership ecosystem
Lead, develop, and inspire two high-performing technical teams (25-30 total) with a strong culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Design clear roles, career pathways, and succession plans; build organizational capability for long-term growth
Establish effective interfaces and ways of working with Platform teams, Business Units, and key external partner.
Provide strategic leadership and direction for both Complex Projects and Productivity teams, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities and business unit objectives
Team (salaried): 8-10 direct reports, 25-30 total team responsibility Complex Projects team: 4 direct reports, 12 total Productivity team: 4-6 direct reports, 13-18 total
Bachelor's required; master's preferred in Packaging Science/Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
15+ years of progressive R&D and commercialization experience in packaging, with demonstrated expertise across materials, processes, and manufacturing
7+ years leading technical teams, including experience managing managers and building multi-team organizations
Proven track record delivering complex, cross-functional packaging projects at scale and driving significant cost savings through Productivity or similar initiatives
Experience managing substantial project portfolios and budgets with strong business and financial acumen
Technical depth in packaging substrates, structural design, manufacturing processes, and supplier landscapes
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business objectives into executable technical roadmaps
Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills - comfortable influencing at all levels
Strong organizational design instincts; experience building high-performing technical teams in complex matrix environments
Collaborative, solutions-oriented leadership style with a bias for accountability and execution

Director, R&D – Packaging E2E Execution