R&D Manager - Packaging Innovation

Description

Want to take an idea and see how far it can go? As R&D Manager - Packaging Innovation at Reckitt, you’ll have the freedom to find new ways for our consumers to engage with our brands. 
 
R&D Manager - Packaging Innovation 
Montvale, NJ 
Competitive Salary & excellent benefits package 

Joining a global team and working with leading brands, you’ll be responsible for managing all packaging development. You’ll:
•    Develop design ideas into innovative packaging
•    Protect our products, optimise costs, raise quality and ensure we meet regulatory standards
•    Help launch new products and enhance existing brands using new packaging technologies 
•    Make our packaging more sustainable and our products more desirable. 
 
 

You’ll succeed because… 
…you’re creative, with a passion for product development. A packaging engineer or product designer, you:
•    Have product or project management experience within packaging or similar
•    Understand manufacturing technology and processes (both for the packaging itself and filling / packing)
•    Thrive in a fast-paced international environment
•    Are innovative, constantly looking for new ideas and ways packaging can support and enhance the brand. 

You’ll love it because… 
…you’ll get to make an impact like never before. The products you help us get out there will make people’s lives better. Our iconic brands will provide an incredible platform for you. And our dynamic, ownership-driven culture will help bring the very best out of you, every day. 
 

Overview

TPL’s are part of the R&D Engineering; R&D Innovation Packaging group. They are responsible for leading strategically identified NPD or EPD projects from feasibility brief to 6 months post launch, ensuring delivery of technically feasible solutions that fulfill the product concept, delivering projects on time, within budget and to the agreed quality and COG’s.

Accountabilities / Responsibilities

•    Drive packaging innovations; developing solutions from initial quantitative concept qualification, through the development and execution phases with the goal of launching impactful packaging innovations in to our key markets.
•    Ensure packaging developments adhere to and deliver on business operating model milestone requirements.
•    Contribute to development briefs, specifically in the preparation of technical content and constraints.
•    Ensure core project team members are in place with clearly aligned Roles & Responsibilities.
•    Manage the inputs and work effectively with key stakeholders; Marketing, Trade Marketing, R&D, Global Design, Supply, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement and External Partners.
•    Ensure all projects effectively consider the fundamental; consumer, brand, cost, technical and quality success criteria.
•    Determine viability of projects within feasibility and development phases, proposing to terminate where not fulfilling project Success Criteria.
•    Ensure appropriate product development approach, enabling concept intent to be effectively transferred in to mass production.
•    Seek and protect technical invention via patenting whenever possible.
•    Lead the definition and selection of appropriate manufacturing processes and assembly operations.
•    Lead initial cost evaluations, and assist in the preparation of final COGS and Capex / SER.
•    Assume ultimate responsibility for the composition and ongoing management of key project material:
    –    Success Criteria.  Define Success Criteria in collaboration with key stakeholders, ensuring minimum requirements are determined at project start, and delivery to mandatory criteria is achieved for launch.
    –    Project Timeline.  Define realistic project timelines with key stakeholders, monitor progress and adherence to the timeline through to launch.
    –    Design Approval Test Protocol (DATP).  Determine critical test protocol and lead the qualification of the final solution, verifying adherence to targets and confirming functionality is ‘fit for purpose’.
–    Technical Product Specifications. Ensure technical product specs are appropriately documented.
•    Manage production start-up and post launch phase with Supply.
•    Ensure products are launched on time, and that operating efficiencies, quality and scrap rates are within pre-defined limits.
•    As required the TPL shall be supported by the R&D CGD and/or the Area SVP Supply, so that road-blocks can be quickly removed. 
•    Manage direct reporting of Associate(s)
•    Live the company core values.

Qualifications

•    Proven track record in managing and delivering successful 3D product development initiatives (ideally structural packaging within FMCG / CPG industry).
•    Outstanding technical capability with a proven track record of project management and delivery.
•    Detailed understanding of the 3D product development process, from concept to mass production.
•    Strong knowledge of Injection Moulding, Blow Moulding, and other material forming technologies with a clear understanding of the key cost drivers in part and tool design..
•    Minimum 5 years product development experience, relevant to Health, Hygiene and Home.
•    Consumer savvy with previous experience in delivering consumer led developments.
•    Strong understanding of influencing factors for project financials (COGs, Capex, SER).
•    Basic understanding of quality tools including AQL’s, CPK analysis and SPC. 
•    Ability to work under pressure, set clear priorities and meet deadlines.
•    Good negotiating and influencing skills with the ability to align the different interests of internal parties.
•    Strong communication and presentation skills, both written and oral.
•    Proven track record in effective multifunctional team management within product development function.
•    Outstanding creative problem solving and multitasking skills.
•    Can distill complex data into useful information and conclusions.
•    Global mindset, ability to think across functional boundaries and to develop a commercial understanding of corporate and operational business issues
•    Results-oriented and self-motivating.
•    Flexible to travel both domestically and internationally.

Equality

At Reckitt, we recognise that in real life, great people don’t always ‘tick all the boxes’. That’s why we hire for potential as well as experience. Even if you don’t meet every point on the job description, if this role and our company feels like a good fit for you, we still want to hear from you. Come and join a team whose purpose is to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner and healthier world.

All qualified applicants to Reckitt will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, disability or medical condition; colour, ethnicity, race, citizenship, and national origin; religion, faith; pregnancy, family status and caring responsibilities; sexual orientation; sex, gender identity, gender expression, and transgender identity; protected veteran status; size or any other basis protected by appropriate law.