Packaging Director, Food & Beverage
DanoneAbout The Job
The Research & Innovation Director of Food/Beverage Packaging co-leads with the VP of packaging the vision, strategy, and end‑to‑end execution of consumer‑centric, future‑forward packaging that fuels business growth, strengthens competitiveness, and advances our sustainability and productivity commitments. This leader elevates packaging as a strategic lever—driving superior consumer
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experiences, unlocking innovation, improving performance on shelf, and shaping the next generation of materials and technologies.
This leader will bring deep technical rigor, strong design‑to‑scale capabilities, and the ability to influence across the enterprise to deliver packaging that is safe, delightful, efficient, and circular. This Director will be the primary contact for the General Manager of the food/beverage business and partner strongly with cross-functional partners and leverage the expertise internally and externally. The Director will build and inspire a high‑performing team and will serve as a visible champion for packaging excellence within the U.S. and across the global network. The focus of this position will be on our Plant Based & Beverage category.
Key Responsibilities
• Strategic Leadership & Growth
• Serve as an enterprise leader who uses deep packaging expertise to shape a growth‑driving innovation and renovation pipeline.
• Develop and execute a 3–5 year consumer‑ and business‑centric packaging strategy, including innovation, cost transformation, and sustainability roadmaps.
• Elevate packaging as a competitive advantage—improving product superiority, brand equity, speed to market, and cost position.
• Translate business priorities into actionable R&I plans that deliver measurable results.
• Ensure product and pack R&I team, and way so working are cohesive and operating as one.
• Packaging Excellence & Future Capabilities
• Strengthen end‑to‑end packaging capabilities concept creation, design, materials science, prototyping, testing, validation, scale‑up, commercialization, and lifecycle optimization.
• Build future‑ready competencies in areas such as
• advanced materials, biomaterials, barrier science
• circular systems, recyclability, reuse, refill
• intelligent & connected packaging
• automation & digital simulation, including digital twins, rapid prototyping
• consumer experience engineering and spec defining (sensory, usability, ergonomics)
• Create & implement best‑in‑class packaging standards, validation processes & performance KPIs.
• Business Delivery & Accountability
• Increase accountability for business performance through smart portfolio choices, prioritization, risk management, and budget stewardship.
• Lead packaging strategy for new business models and emerging channels.
• Drive speed, rigor, and excellence from lab to large‑scale commercialization.
• Cross‑Functional & Global Influence
• Partner seamlessly with Brand, R&I, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and Sustainability teams to ensure packaging solutions meet consumer needs and operational realities.
• Actively engage in the global packaging network to leverage insights, capabilities, scale, and best practices.
• Build strategic external partnerships with suppliers, startups, universities, and technology organizations to unlock breakthrough innovation in partnership with global.
• Team Leadership & Culture
• Lead and grow a high‑performing team of 5+ packaging engineers and managers, fostering curiosity, accountability, transparency, and collaboration.
• Develop future-ready talent and build an inclusive, inspired and collaborative team culture.
• Coach, mentor, and develop technical and leadership skills to build the next generation of packaging experts and leaders
The salary range for this position is $146,000-210,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a pe