Packaging Director, Food & Beverage

Onsite in Louisville, CO.

About the role

As the Packaging Director for Food & Beverage R&D at Danone North America, you will lead the strategic development and execution of packaging innovation, sustainability, and technical excellence across our portfolio of brands. This role partners closely with R&D, Marketing, Operations, Procurement, and external suppliers to deliver packaging solutions that align with business objectives, consumer needs, and sustainability commitments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the packaging innovation roadmap for Danone North America’s food and beverage categories, ensuring alignment with business strategy and sustainability goals.
• Lead cross-functional teams to drive packaging projects from concept to commercialization, including material selection, design, testing, and scale-up.
• Collaborate with R&D, Marketing, and Operations to identify and prioritize packaging opportunities that enhance product performance, consumer experience, and cost efficiency.
• Drive sustainability initiatives, including reduction of plastic use, increased recyclability, and integration of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, in line with Danone’s global commitments.
• Partner with Procurement and external suppliers to secure high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable packaging materials and technologies.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, food safety standards, and industry best practices for packaging in the food and beverage sector.
• Monitor industry trends, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
• Lead and mentor a team of packaging engineers and specialists, fostering a culture of collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Manage packaging budgets, timelines, and resources to deliver projects on time and within scope.
• Represent Danone North America in industry forums, conferences, and partnerships related to packaging innovation and sustainability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in packaging development, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within the food and beverage industry.
• Proven track record of leading packaging innovation, including material selection, design, and commercialization.
• Deep expertise in sustainable packaging solutions, including recyclability, PCR materials, and reduction of environmental impact.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements and food safety standards for packaging in the food and beverage sector.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with external suppliers and partners.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Passion for sustainability and driving positive impact through packaging innovation.

Skills

• Packaging material science and engineering
• Sustainable packaging design and innovation
• Project management and cross-functional leadership
• Regulatory compliance and food safety standards
• Supplier and stakeholder management
• Budget and resource management
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Technical communication and presentation