At Lindt, we are a global fast-growing consumer goods company, enchanting the world with premium chocolate. We are driven by our passion for excellence and go the extra mile ensuring that every Lindt experience is nothing short of exceptional. Our collective efforts are geared towards making a positive impact, not only in the world of premium chocolate but also in the lives of our employees, customers, and communities. Our company embraces a culture defined by the core values of Excellence, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Responsibility, and Collaboration, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment where these principles drive our success.

Position Purpose:

This individual is accountable for leading the team to deliver packaging development projects of high quality, consumer relevant packaging formats that contribute to sustainable and profitable sales growth. Responsibilities include providing consumer-based solutions relative to packaging and merchandising that build upon Lindt brand equity. This position leads packaging development activities from concept through commercialization, including trend and capability investigation, initial product design, costing and packaging trials and testing. A critical focus of this job will be strong cross-functional team collaboration, development and execution of strategic vision for packaging and management to accomplish key milestones for each new project.

Team Management

• Lead the Packaging Research & Development to deliver best-in-class results across different areas of the company- design, development, production and product-package interaction with a consumer-centric mindset.
• Direct and manage the workflow of Packaging Development team within the scope of assigned projects, ensure plans adhere to agreed upon timelines and meet strategic, quality and cost targets based on brief expectations.
• Identify and implement process changes to drive continuous improvement within the company.
• Accountable for the short and long term initiatives of the Packaging Development team.
• Develop and improve departmental procedures following ISO guidelines.
• Provide leadership by aligning all packaging activity to Lindt's strategic priorities, company values and global sustainability initiative.
• Provide coaching, guidance and performance feedback to Engineers, Designers and Developers
• Establish and oversee team KPI's and performance objectives to ensure business goals are met and surpassed.

Packaging Development

• Guide the team's cross functional efforts to develop new packaging designs that are innovative and still meet aggressive cost and timing objectives.
• Identify and lead the team's implementation of cost reduction opportunities in packaging materials and operational productivity improvements.

• Identify and resolve technical, operational and organizational issues.
• Lead the team in building value analysis into every new packaging development project ensuring the construction and design provides the most cost-effective way to achieve design criteria but also provides the best function and quality.
• Lead exploration and transition to sustainable packaging in accordance with global packaging sustainability vision.
• Ensure packaging is industrialized for production and the successful completion of all trials and testing in accordance with internal quality standards.
• Implement and continuously update all packaging test plans to ensure in market success for all new packaging development projects.
• Lead technical, innovation and sustainability reviews with priority packaging suppliers.
• Represent Lindt USA on Global Packaging Council.
• Stay abreast of current packaging trends as it relates to sustainable materials, innovative designs, technologies and systems through market research, trade show visits, and external partnerships.

Technical Project Management

• Lead complex Tier 1 & 2 New Product Development projects.
• Implement and manage resource planning and project management tools.
• Monitor and evaluate project and department progress and results.
• Ensure all packaging projects are completed on time and meet the intended design, quality, cost, functionality, and manufacturability objectives.