Senior Packaging Technical Project Lead

About your role

As our Senior Packaging Technical Project Lead, you will take ownership of complex packaging projects across Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. From packaging innovation and renovation to sustainability, business continuity and new manufacturing lines, you will help turn ambitious plans into solutions that work in practice.
This is not a purely technical role. Your technical or quality background will give you credibility, but your success will depend just as much on how you think, communicate and bring people together. You will work across R&D, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, Marketing and Operations, as well as with external bottlers and packaging suppliers. With no direct reports, you will lead through expertise, judgement and influence.  
The environment is fast-moving, international and not always neatly defined. Priorities may shift and scopes may evolve, so we are looking for someone who is comfortable creating clarity out of ambiguity, asking the difficult questions and keeping projects moving without losing sight of quality.

What You'll Do

•    Lead packaging projects covering innovation, renovation, business continuity, design-to-value, sustainability and the introduction or transfer of manufacturing lines.
•    Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, balancing quality, cost, timing, sustainability and operational feasibility.
•    Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders across R&D, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, Marketing and Operations to support successful product launches.
•    Work closely with external bottlers, contract manufacturers, packaging suppliers, machine vendors and laboratories.
•    Contribute technical packaging expertise, particularly across PET, glass and metal packaging.
•    Apply a quality-first mindset, using root cause analysis, risk assessment and structured problem-solving to identify sustainable solutions.
•    Lead packaging validation and risk-matrix activities for production-line transfers and other significant changes.
•    Challenge suppliers and internal stakeholders constructively when quality, technical standards or project outcomes are at risk.
•    Maintain alignment with packaging standards and processes while building trusted, collaborative relationships.
•    Support packaging sustainability plans, including recycled-content targets, regulatory compliance and eco-design considerations.
•    Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, cost savings and more effective ways of working.
•    Promote Kaizen and practical problem-solving approaches, helping teams and markets overcome technical and operational challenges. 

What's in it for you

You will join a role with genuine international reach and the opportunity to influence packaging decisions across diverse markets. You will work on a broad portfolio of projects and collaborate with colleagues and partners across Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. 
You will have the space to apply both your technical expertise and your leadership skills, becoming a trusted partner who helps teams make well-balanced decisions. Because the role leads through influence rather than hierarchy, you will have significant exposure across functions and the opportunity to strengthen your profile as a packaging and project leadership expert.
The role can also create future development opportunities towards Packaging Management, senior R&D leadership or cross-functional project leadership positions within Supply Chain or Quality. 
Most importantly, you will join an environment where teamwork matters. We believe in achieving better outcomes together, sharing different perspectives and approaching challenges with curiosity, pragmatism and a willingness to learn

What You need to be successful

We are looking for an experienced professional who combines technical credibility with strong judgement, resilience and stakeholder leadership.
You will ideally bring:
•    A bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, food science, technology, packaging or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
•    Solid experience within packaging, R&D, engineering, quality, process, supplier management or QEHS in an FMCG environment, preferably beverages.
•    Experience with PET, glass or metal packaging. Broad experience across all three would be valuable, but it is not essential if you bring strong learning agility and relevant technical foundations.
•    Strong project-management experience, including responsibility for several complex projects at the same time.
•    A quality-first way of thinking, with experience in root cause analysis, risk management and structured problem-solving.
•    The ability to operate effectively when information is incomplete, priorities change or the route forward is not immediately clear.
•    Confidence to lead critical conversations, challenge decisions and uphold essential standards without damaging relationships.
•    A collaborative, team-first approach and the ability to work across functions, countries and organizational boundaries.
•    Strong influencing skills and the ability to create progress without relying on formal authority.
•    A pragmatic mindset. You respect processes and standards, but you also understand how to apply them in a way that supports the business and brings people with you.
•    Fluency in English. Additional languages would be an advantage.
•    Experience with packaging regulations, sustainability frameworks, PLM systems, lean manufacturing or Kaizen would be beneficial. 
Above all, you should enjoy working in an energetic environment where things can occasionally feel a little chaotic. You do not need every detail to be perfectly defined before taking action, but you do need the maturity to create structure, manage risk and keep people aligned.

Our DEI Commitment

At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, or differing abilities, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.

Who We Are

About SBFE
At Suntory Beverage & Food Europe, we create some of Europe's most loved soft drinks brands such as Schweppes, Orangina, Oasis and many more!  As part of the global Suntory Group, we're driven by our purpose of inspiring the brilliance of life and committed to creating positive impact for our consumers, customers, communities and the environment.

About EECM BNL
Our Market, EECM BNL, is responsible for growing Suntory's business across a diverse portfolio of markets spanning Europe, as well as selected countries in Africa and the Caribbean. Bringing together different cultures, customers and ways of working, our teams operate in a truly international environment where collaboration, agility and commercial ambition go hand in hand.

We work closely with distributors, retailers and partners to bring our iconic brands to consumers, creating opportunities to make an impact across multiple markets while developing broad international experience.