A leading supply chain and logistics company headquartered in Durban, South Africa, is looking for an R&D Packaging Executive to elevate the pivotal role that packaging plays in the company’s growth strategy. The Group R&D Packaging Executive will carry the responsibility, both as business leader and partner, providing strategic leadership and operational stewardship towards delivering the business short-, medium- and long-term agenda. This will be done working collaboratively with Business Leaders cross-functionally in Marketing, Customer Development, Consumer Insight, Supply Chain and Sourcing, Commercial and with Business Unit teams. This role carries leadership responsibility for an experienced Packaging team working across Business Units. Externally, the role has a significant packaging technology business partnering role with packaging suppliers and relevant packaging bodies. DUTIES&RESPONSIBILITIES, NOT LIMITED TO: * REQUIREMENTS D efining and implementing the Group Packaging Innovation and Technology Program in collaboration with marketing, consumer insight, and customer teams and with input from Business Units Establish strategic partnerships with key packaging suppliers, academia, government, and innovation agencies to contribute to the 3 – 5-year Packaging program Leading the development and delivery of short-, medium-, and long-term R&D programs, and aligning with business leaders and packaging teams Driving the execution of the packaging sustainability strategy on responsible packaging, including commitments to extended producer responsibility and collaboration with internal and external partners Overseeing the R&D Packaging Value Engineering Program (VEP), identifying and implementing cost reduction opportunities across business units Engaging with the broader functional R&D Leadership teams, playing a pivotal role in providing input on the execution of business, growth, and R&D strategies Leading and inspiring a team of experienced Packaging Managers and Packaging Technologists, fostering a high-performance culture BSc or MSc Science degree and/or engineering degree, augmented by relevant experience and expertise 8 to 10 years’ experience in R&D, with at least 5 years at a senior R&D managerial level FMCG – preferably Food or Packaging Proven track record in the Development and Execution of R&D programs Strong Strategic Leadership and Business partnership skills to drive strategic business objectives Willingness to travel to various manufacturing sites within Gauteng. Job Type: Full-time #J-18808-Ljbffr