Overview
About 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 sustainability and productivity commitments. This leader elevates packaging as a strategic lever—driving superior consumer experiences, unlocking innovation, improving on-shelf performance, 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. The Director will be the primary contact for the General Manager of the food/beverage business and will partner with cross-functional teams and external experts. The Director will build and inspire a high-performing team and serve as a visible champion for packaging excellence within the U.S. and the global network. We are hiring 2 Packaging Directors: one focused on Yogurt & Happy Family, and one focused on Plant Based & Beverage. Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Growth Serve as an enterprise leader who uses deep packaging expertise to shape a growth-driven 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 teams and ways of working are cohesive and operate 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 with Brand, R&I, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and Sustainability teams to ensure packaging solutions meet consumer needs and operational realities. 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. 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. Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this position is $146,000-210,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including experience, location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America offers a performance-based bonus and a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave. This is a hybrid work environment. About You
You are a transformational packaging leader
with the ability to create, scale, and protect packaging that drives business growth, differentiation, and sustainability. You combine deep technical mastery with strategic enterprise leadership, consistently raising the bar on consumer experience, operational excellence, and competitive advantage. You Bring
A strong track record of holistic, end-to-end packaging leadership, including creation, development, validation, scale-up, and post-launch protection of packaging solutions that are structurally ownable, functional, sustainable, and commercially impactful. Experience delivering packaging that wins with consumers and delivers business impact—from growth acceleration to margin improvement to supply chain efficiency. A Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science (Packaging, Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, etc.); a Master’s preferred. 10–15+ years in packaging, engineering, materials science, or related technical field, ideally in food, beverage, or CPG. Proven leadership of cross-functional teams, partnering with Marketing, Manufacturing, R&I, Procurement, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Design, and external partners. Ability to make smart, timely decisions in ambiguity, using data, consumer insight, and experience. Holistic understanding of products, processes, and manufacturing systems with strong appreciation for plant-floor realities. Forward-looking technical curiosity to explore new materials, technologies, formats, and design possibilities. Strategic mindset to anticipate opportunities and risks, ensuring packaging remains a lever for sustainable competitive advantage. Ability to integrate evolving business context, sustainability regulations, competition, and consumer trends into roadmaps. Strong problem-solving skills; translate complexity into simple solutions. Deep technical credibility in packaging strategy, materials science, sustainability, and transformation. Broad understanding of connected functions including marketing, consumer insights, industrial design, regulatory, manufacturing, supply chain, and channels. Exceptional communication and storytelling skills; able to influence at all levels and inspire teams. Strong business acumen with understanding of R&I value levers including growth, productivity, risk mitigation, quality, and speed. Autonomous operating style with strong judgment and transparency; able to manage up, across, and down. Ability to travel approximately 25% for plant visits, supplier engagements, consumer immersions, and global network collaboration. About Us and Benefits
Life at Danone: With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., our culture offers growth opportunities. Learn more about Life at Danone. Our Brands include Activia, DanActive, Danimals, Dannon, evian, Happy Family Organics, International Delight, Light + Fit, Nutricia, Oikos, Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, STōK Cold Brew Coffee, Too Good & Co., YoCrunch. Our Purpose is to bring health through food and be the world’s largest B Corp. Learn more about our mission. Our Benefits include physical and mental wellbeing programs, a performance-based bonus, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, family care benefits, and more. This is an Equal Opportunity Employer. California Data Privacy Law notice applies.
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About 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 sustainability and productivity commitments. This leader elevates packaging as a strategic lever—driving superior consumer experiences, unlocking innovation, improving on-shelf performance, 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. The Director will be the primary contact for the General Manager of the food/beverage business and will partner with cross-functional teams and external experts. The Director will build and inspire a high-performing team and serve as a visible champion for packaging excellence within the U.S. and the global network. We are hiring 2 Packaging Directors: one focused on Yogurt & Happy Family, and one focused on Plant Based & Beverage. Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Growth Serve as an enterprise leader who uses deep packaging expertise to shape a growth-driven 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 teams and ways of working are cohesive and operate 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 with Brand, R&I, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and Sustainability teams to ensure packaging solutions meet consumer needs and operational realities. 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. 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. Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this position is $146,000-210,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including experience, location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America offers a performance-based bonus and a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave. This is a hybrid work environment. About You
You are a transformational packaging leader
with the ability to create, scale, and protect packaging that drives business growth, differentiation, and sustainability. You combine deep technical mastery with strategic enterprise leadership, consistently raising the bar on consumer experience, operational excellence, and competitive advantage. You Bring
A strong track record of holistic, end-to-end packaging leadership, including creation, development, validation, scale-up, and post-launch protection of packaging solutions that are structurally ownable, functional, sustainable, and commercially impactful. Experience delivering packaging that wins with consumers and delivers business impact—from growth acceleration to margin improvement to supply chain efficiency. A Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science (Packaging, Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, etc.); a Master’s preferred. 10–15+ years in packaging, engineering, materials science, or related technical field, ideally in food, beverage, or CPG. Proven leadership of cross-functional teams, partnering with Marketing, Manufacturing, R&I, Procurement, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Design, and external partners. Ability to make smart, timely decisions in ambiguity, using data, consumer insight, and experience. Holistic understanding of products, processes, and manufacturing systems with strong appreciation for plant-floor realities. Forward-looking technical curiosity to explore new materials, technologies, formats, and design possibilities. Strategic mindset to anticipate opportunities and risks, ensuring packaging remains a lever for sustainable competitive advantage. Ability to integrate evolving business context, sustainability regulations, competition, and consumer trends into roadmaps. Strong problem-solving skills; translate complexity into simple solutions. Deep technical credibility in packaging strategy, materials science, sustainability, and transformation. Broad understanding of connected functions including marketing, consumer insights, industrial design, regulatory, manufacturing, supply chain, and channels. Exceptional communication and storytelling skills; able to influence at all levels and inspire teams. Strong business acumen with understanding of R&I value levers including growth, productivity, risk mitigation, quality, and speed. Autonomous operating style with strong judgment and transparency; able to manage up, across, and down. Ability to travel approximately 25% for plant visits, supplier engagements, consumer immersions, and global network collaboration. About Us and Benefits
Life at Danone: With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., our culture offers growth opportunities. Learn more about Life at Danone. Our Brands include Activia, DanActive, Danimals, Dannon, evian, Happy Family Organics, International Delight, Light + Fit, Nutricia, Oikos, Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, STōK Cold Brew Coffee, Too Good & Co., YoCrunch. Our Purpose is to bring health through food and be the world’s largest B Corp. Learn more about our mission. Our Benefits include physical and mental wellbeing programs, a performance-based bonus, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, family care benefits, and more. This is an Equal Opportunity Employer. California Data Privacy Law notice applies.
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