Packaging Design and Discovery Team Lead - R&D

Step Up to Lead the Future of Packaging Design at a Fortune 500 Company!

Are you ready to steer the ship as Packaging Design & Discovery Team Lead? We're on the hunt for an extraordinary talent to join the dynamic team in the vibrant city of Utrecht!

In this exciting role, you'll mentor a diverse group, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. Picture yourself collaborating with top-tier external partners, gathering insights to elevate the packaging portfolio to dazzling new heights!

But wait, there's more! You'll also play a pivotal role in crafting the intellectual property strategy, partnering closely with our legal team to safeguard our innovative designs, treating them like the valuable assets they are.

This global leader in the food and beverage industry is recognized for its strong commitment to health, nutrition, and sustainability. With a diverse portfolio spanning dairy products, plant-based alternatives, early life nutrition, and specialized medical nutrition, the company has built a reputation for balancing consumer needs with social responsibility.

This role offers the opportunity to shape packaging design and innovation while ensuring alignment with business goals and external advancement. Your will be reported to the Global R&D SN Director Packaging.

• Mentor and manage the design team, fostering innovation and professional growth in line with business and product goals;
• Leverage external research and trends to enhance product development and build partnerships with innovative organizations;
• Organize design workshops and hackathons;
• Define and execute an IP strategy with legal teams, ensuring proper documentation and protection of innovations;
• Work with internal and external partners to drive user-centric design strategies;
• Align design efforts with company goals and emerging trends;
• Lead the full design process, from idealization to implementation;
• Advocate for design excellence and user experience;
• Align design efforts with product teams and external partners;
• Present strategies to leadership and stakeholders;
• Introduce new methodologies and stay updated on industry trends.

• 15+ years of experience in product design, with at least 3+ years in a leadership or management role within a complex organization;
• Proven experience in building and maintaining strategic partnerships with startups, universities, and research institutions;
• Strong portfolio showcasing successful design leadership, particularly in collaborating with external organizations to drive innovation;
• A Master's degree in Design, HCI, or a related field;
• Experience in creating and managing co-design or innovation labs with universities or startups;
• Experience in drafting and negotiating IP-related agreements, such as non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and joint venture contracts;
• Understanding of Agile development methodologies and their integration into design processes;
• Advanced knowledge of motion design, animation, or other specialized design techniques;
• Expertise in design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, and prototyping tools (InVision, Marvel, etc.);
• In-depth understanding of user experience (UX) principles, interaction design, visual design, and accessibility standards;
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to foster collaboration between internal teams and external partners;
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and academic researchers;
• Knowledge of the startup ecosystem, emerging technologies, and academic research, with experience applying these insights to product design;
• Experience in collaborating with legal teams to protect intellectual property, secure patents, and manage the documentation and filing process.

The company offers a complete package of benefits, with a competitive primary salary of €150K and an annual bonus, but also benefits like a premium free pension, 30 days annual leave and several discounts on a collective health insurance.