Description
Diageo is seeking a Packaging Technical Leader to join their Supply Chain & Manufacturing team. The successful candidate will lead packaging technical development and commercialization for strategic, complex, and high-priority innovation, renovation, and supply optimization projects.
Responsibilities:
- Lead packaging technical development and commercialization for assigned strategic and complex projects from concept through commercialization and post-launch
- Serve as a senior technical leader within Packaging, translating project and brand requirements into packaging solutions and providing technical direction throughout the commercialization lifecycle
- Coach and develop early-career Packaging Engineers, building their technical capability, commercialization expertise, and confidence to independently lead packaging workstreams
- Partner cross-functionally with Commercialization, Innovation/R&D, Procurement, Quality, Manufacturing, Brand, and external suppliers to identify technical requirements, resolve packaging challenges, and enable successful commercialization
- Ensure appropriate technical rigor and documentation throughout commercialization governance
- Drive continuous improvement across Packaging Commercialization, strengthening technical standards, ways of working, and organizational capability while improving speed to market and first-time-right execution
Requirements:
- BS in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field
- 5+ years of packaging development, packaging engineering, or technical commercialization experience in CPG, beverage, food, pharmaceutical, or a related manufacturing environment
- Demonstrated experience leading complex packaging development and commercialization projects from concept through production
- Strong technical understanding of packaging materials, component development, manufacturing processes, testing methodologies, and qualification requirements
- Experience translating consumer, brand, and business requirements into technically feasible and scalable packaging solutions
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot packaging and manufacturing challenges, identify root causes, and develop technically sound solutions
- Experience partnering with manufacturing sites and external packaging suppliers to execute trials, qualifications, and commercial launches
- Strong cross-functional leadership, communication, and influencing skills
- Experience coaching, mentoring, or managing technical talent; direct people-management experience preferred
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound technical decisions in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment
- Working knowledge of packaging specifications, technical documentation, and stage-gate commercialization processes
- Experience with SAP and portfolio/reporting tools such as PowerBI is a plus
- Periodic travel required, up to 20%