Job Purpose
As theR&DManagerofPackaging Performance Specifications, you will lead the development, deployment, and governance of Performance-Based Specifications(PBS)for packaging across theKraft Heinz North Americaportfolio. Theobjectiveof the role is to ensure packaging solutions are specified and delivered against defined functional, quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance outcomes (rather than prescriptive designs). You will partner with Packaging R&D, Innovation, Process and Platform packaging teams, Quality, Operations, Procurement, and external partners to translate requirements into clear, testable, and compliant performance specifications that enable scalable commercialization and consistent execution.This role includes building andmaintainingspecification templates and standards, enabling strong cross-functional ways of working, and ensuring specification discipline supports innovation, value engineering, and compliance with evolving sustainability and regulatory needs. Your team will support you in these efforts and will lead packaging sustainability complianceforExtended Producer Responsibility legislation.
EssentialFunctions &Responsibilities
Own and evolve thePBSframework for packaging, including definition, structure,requiredcontent, and linkage to performance outcomes (functional, quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, manufacturing performance).
Lead development and rollout of enterprisePBStemplates and best practices, including guidance for writing measurable requirements and acceptance criteria.
Translate cross-functional requirements intoPBS by partnering with Packaging R&D, Innovation, Process/Platform teams, Quality, Operations, and other stakeholders to ensure specifications are complete, testable, and fit for manufacturing.
Establish and run specification governance, including review cadence,approvalworkflows, escalation paths, and go/no-go readiness requirements related to specification completeness and risk.
Ensure specifications enable manufacturable solutions, aligning performance requirements with converting processes and manufacturing constraints (e.g., filling, web handling, labeling, molding, printing, closures/dispensing where applicable).
Drive consistency and compliance by ensuring specifications reflect relevant sustainability and regulatory considerations and aremaintainedas requirements evolve.
Build tools and processes forspecificationlifecycle management, including version control, change management, and communication of updates toimpactedfunctions and sites.
Define and align testing/validation expectations tied toPBS, including performance verification criteria and documentation needed to support proof of concept, scale-up, and handover.
Enable training and adoption by developing training materials and coaching teams onPBSthinking, writing high-quality requirements, and applying enterprise packaging standards.
MeasurePBSeffectiveness using quality and execution metrics (e.g., right-first-time specifications, reduction in rework, fewer late-stage changes, improved launch readiness).
People Management Responsibilities
Team (salaried):targeting 2direct reports
Key Outputs & Deliverables
EnterprisePBSframework and templates that standardize how packaging performance requirements are defined and documented.
A governedPBSlibrary (maintainedspecifications, version control, change management, clear ownership).
Project-readyPBSdeliverables that enable teams to deliver packaging designs to Performance-Based Specifications—meeting defined functional, quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance outcomes.
Specificationreadiness criteria embedded in project governance to supporttimely, high-quality handover from concept through proof of concept, scale-up, and commercialization.
Training andenablementmaterials to drive consistent application ofPBSand enterprise packaging standards.
Expected Experience& Required Skills
BS/MS/PhD degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering preferred, or related discipline.
6+ years of R&D packaging development,commercializationexperienceand project leadership experience (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred).
Strong technical knowledge of packaging materials,formatsand manufacturing/converting constraints.
Demonstrated experience in building performance specificationsas well aspackaging development and commercialization and cross-functional project leadership.
Strong ability to translate business, technical, and consumer needs into clear, measurable performance requirements.
Proven capability with project governance, risk management, and stakeholder reporting.
Working knowledge of design of experiments andstatistics and technical problem solving.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; abi
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