R&D Packaging & Project Leader Manager

Responsibilities

• PACKAGING LEADERSHIP - 60%
• Lead the Packaging R&D agenda for Mexico across innovation, renovation, savings, and compliance projects.
• Deliver unmissably superior packaging solutions ensuring quality, safety, cost, manufacturability, and sustainability.
• Partner closely with Marketing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Global R&D teams.
• Lead sustainability initiatives including PCR integration, material reduction, and circularity projects.
• Act as local reference for packaging standards, best practices, and supplier engagement.
• TECHNICAL PROJECT LEADERSHIP (TPL) - 40%
• Act as TPL for low to mid-complexity Hair and Skin Care projects in Mexico.
• Lead projects from scoping and feasibility through implementation and market delivery.
• Ensure first-time-right execution through strong risk assessment and troubleshooting.
• Translate product performance criteria into robust technical and validation plans.
• Support R&D capability building and agile ways of working.
• REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Packaging, Chemistry, or related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in Packaging and/or R&D project delivery within FMCG.
• Proven track record delivering innovation, renovation, or savings projects.
• Strong knowledge of product quality, GMP, product safety, and manufacturing principles.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Candidate must be fully operational in the following skill areas:
• Program and portfolio management and keen prioritization skills.
• Project Management Excellence - specifically the tools, techniques and processes required to ensure First Time Right delivery.
• Technical project leadership (Scoping, Feasibility, Design & Implementation).
• Team leadership: Experience in a combined global and local team dynamic across all functions
• Communication: Proactive, clear, and impactful communication to drive informed decisions and actions.
• Stakeholder influencing and management.
• Ability to navigate uncertainty.
• Motivator of people: team deliver with real passion, growing and learning from each other whilst delivering quick wins.
• CULTURE FOR GROWTH
• A strong dot connector integrating consumers, technology, and business needs.
• A problem solver with a challenger mindset and passion for execution.
• A role model of high performance, accountability, and speed.
• An inclusive collaborator who builds trust and grows others

Benefits

Additional Information

R&D Packaging & Project Leader Manager Function: R&D Manager - Beauty & Wellbeing Reports to: R&D Manager B&W Mexico Location: Mexico - Cuernavaca (Hybrid) Scope: Mexico - Hair Care & Skin Care JOB PURPOSE This role plays a critical part in delivering the R&D agenda for Beauty & Wellbeing in Mexico, combining strong Packaging leadership (60%) with Technical Project Leadership (40%) for low to mid-complexity innovation, renovation, savings, and compliance projects across Hair and Skin Care categories.

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