Principal Scientist, R&D Product Dev

Principal Scientist R&D Packaging Dev

Job Overview:

This position offers an excellent opportunity toidentify drivecommercializeand lead growth and innovation in packaging technology within the MCCS (Meat/Cheese/Coffee/Snacking) platform with a specific focus on Lunchables and Adult Snacking. The role serves as the Packaging point of contact working directly with Core Innovation and Club Mkt and is instrumental in delivering novel competitive and cost-advantaged solutions.

Responsibilities include identifying research pathwaysdemonstratingproof of conceptscaling uptechnology and supporting commercialization. The ideal candidate brings strong technical skills and the ability to connect technologies to real-world applications along with intellectual curiosity problem-solving ability leadership the confidence to champion ideas and solid project management skills. A collaborative mindset and a commitment to applying innovative solutions are essential.

Job Duties:

• Work with internal teams and cross-functional partners to understandportfolio and strategyopportunities and build solid plans with defined timing and deliverables.

• Identifyand quantifygrowth spaces(e.g. new usage occasions formats channel needs like Club).

• Buildbusiness casesfor innovation bets (value creation cost risk timing resource asks) and present to leadership.

• Translate consumer insights into packaging design requirements (ease-of-use freshnessperception portability convenience).

• Lead end-to-end packaging commercializationon key platform projects-owning scale-up trials qualification/validation launch execution and post-launch stabilization-todeliver high-qualitypackaging toon time and at target cost.

• Partner with Brand/Insights to define and interpretpackaging-focused consumer tests(what to test success criteria).

• Ability toideatenovel ideas for new product solutions.

• Lead multiple/large initiatives with complex scopes and/orcross enterpriseplatforms concurrently.

• Act as technical/commercialization expert for junior developers and flex onto projects requiring problem solving.

• Execute research plans including patent/literature reviews tech documentation prototyping lab testing consumer testing qualification on pilot and/or production equipment provide solutions to hurdles and provide next steps with updates to leadership.

• Strong data analysis experience (understanding and processing of complex data systems).

• Build and coordinate relationships with suppliers technology and industry partners to drive technology pathways.

• Translate research findings into meaningful recommendations communicating results and drivingdecisionsand technology adoption.

• Lead and drive functional training and process improvements for the pkg organization.

• Havea high degree of autonomy.

Qualifications:

• Bachelorsin Packaging Mechanical Materials ChemicalEngineeringor relateddegreeplus minimum7years of relevant experience or masters degree plus minimum6years of relevant experience or PhD degree plus5years of relevant experience.

• Expert understanding of packaging materials their barrier propertiesfunctionalitystandard test methodsqualification and commercialization of multiple packaging formats design ofexperimentsand ability to coach others in these areas.

• Excellent proven communication (presentations to global teams senior leadership cross functional collaboration) influencing project/platformmanagementand problem-solving skills.

• Strong ability to lead coach and motivate others.

• Understanding or risks as well as ability to provide multiple solutions to business as options for path forward.

• Manage multiple assignments/tasks concurrently with the ability to prioritize work for self and others.

• Influence across packaging valuechainexternally.

• Willingness to travel 30%