Team Leader, Fibre & Flexible Packaging - Food

Headhunter: Independent Recruiters

Food

Utrecht - Niederlande

Manager / Team Leader

Hybrid

Experteer Overview

In this role you will lead pioneering packaging development within a life science innovation hub, shaping a sustainable, safe, and market-ready packaging portfolio. You’ll drive a global innovation pipeline, translate consumer insights into high-impact solutions, and oversee end-to-end development from concept to launch. You will build and mentor a high-performing team, collaborate across geographies, and push eco-design and circularity to transform packaging for vulnerable consumers. This is a chance to influence strategy, partnerships, and regulatory compliance while delivering meaningful, scalable innovations.

Compensation / Benefits

competitive salary
yearly bonus
premium free pension
30 days annual leave
discounts on collective health insurance

Responsibilities

Co-create and deliver the global packaging innovation pipeline with focus on quality, timing, and cost
Lead end-to-end packaging development from concept through validation and market implementation
Translate consumer insights and market needs into tangible packaging solutions and prototypes
Drive ideation and prototyping to create testable and scalable packaging innovations
Ensure progress on sustainability commitments and circularity objectives
Strengthen advanced packaging capabilities across the organization
Lead cross-functional collaboration with global teams, markets, and external partners
Provide strategic direction and governance, prioritizing high-value initiatives and stopping non-viable projects early
Partner with IP teams to translate innovations into patents and protect competitive advantage
Present projects to senior stakeholders through clear, impactful presentations and reviews
Build and develop a high-performing team and foster a culture of learning, innovation, and accountability
Create and leverage external ecosystems to access new technologies and maintain competitive edge

Key requirements

University degree in Packaging, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related discipline
10+ years of packaging experience with deep expertise in flexible and fibre packaging technologies
Proven track record leading complex, multi-stakeholder packaging projects in FMCG, food, or healthcare
Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements for packaging in nutrition, infant, or healthcare categories
Subject matter authority in flexible films, laminates, pouches, sachets, and fibre-based packaging
Ability to embed eco-design principles (lightweighting, mono-materials, recyclability, renewable fibres) and drive improvements in performance, cost, and sustainability
5+ years of experience leading teams (ideally 5+ people)
Strategic direction setting, resource allocation, and coaching of technical experts
Experience building high-performing, resilient teams balancing innovation with compliance and business continuity
Strong cross-functional, global collaboration and knowledge sharing

Strategic thinker Stakeholder management and persuasion Risk management Flexible and fibre packaging technologies Eco-design principles (lightweighting, mono-materials, recyclability)Regulatory compliance for nutrition/infant/healthcare packaging

Description

In this role you will lead pioneering packaging development within a life science innovation hub, shaping a sustainable, safe, and market-re…

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