Manager, Packaging Development - HAVI

ABOUT THE MARKETING STORE AND HAVI

The Marketing Store is a global customer engagement agency that brings people and brands closer together. Our community of creators, thinkers, inventors and doers deliver award winning work and products that reach over 110 million customers every single day. Our parent company, HAVI, is a global, privately held company that delivers expertise and experience across analytics, packaging, sourcing, supply chain and logistics. They offer data-based insights and services that combine a strategic, long-term view with an unmatched commitment to execution.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2021: GROWTH, OPPORTUNITY, EVOLUTION

It’s an exciting time to join our business as we commence an integration of The Marketing Store and HAVI Sourcing business operations. Alongside award winning promotional agency services, The Marketing Store delivers global category management services to our biggest client - McDonald’s. More specifically to the McDonald’s Happy Meal product business. HAVI Sourcing provides similar category management services to McDonald’s, among other clients, for consumer-facing packaging, uniforms and health and safety requirements. In an effort to maximize numerous sourcing-related opportunities, grow our business and evolve our organizational efficiency, we are integrating our sourcing capabilities and activities into one entity. This enables us to align our skills and expertise, unlock the potential in our shared talent, provide access to a wider range of career opportunities and ultimately better serve our clients and customers.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

As the Manager, Packaging Development you will support all HAVI/TMS customers within the designated North American markets in regards to the development of sustainable and commercially appropriate packaging solutions. You will provide functional (Project Management and Packaging Development) and subject matter expertise in guiding customers though appropriate legislative requirements and in delivering packaging technology solutions & innovation programs inline with the Category Strategy; while building and maintaing supplier relationships to extract best in class solutions for customers, both functionally and commercially.  Additionally, you will work cross functionally within all HAVI/TMS touch points, (ie. Vendor Management, Category, Sustainability, Commercial, Quality Assurance & Graphics); and lead significant, multi-phase packaging development programs with a cross-functional teams including from preliminary concept development, testing and validation thru national commercialization / execution.  Primaryn responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Leading the delivery and project management of appropriate packaging solutions, including cost benefit and risk, piloting and implementation timelines.
• Maintaining a clear understanding of the local and over arching legislative landscape to ensure the most appropriate solutions are applied.
• Co-creation, development and delivery of innovative packaging solutions, in alignment with suppliers and external innovation.
• Establish methodology and reporting metrics to support relevant customer goals, working with independent experts and sharing best practice adopted from other markets and working in collaboration with stakeholders e.g. distribution companies, packaging suppliers, industry experts.

• Horizon scanning, innovation and sharing best practice from other markets and the industry to support the above priorities;
• Communicate in a timely manner to HAVI/TMS company leadership teams, work with other HAVI/TMS departments to ensure effective delivery of milestones and project exercusion.
• Identify and meet customer needs and increase HAVI/TMS value.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the key stakeholders internally and externally.
• Understand and proactively support customer business strategies.
• Constantly seek best packaging solutions to answer the needs of our clients.
• Regularly review and challenge common processes and propose improvements and standardisation of packaging specification.
• Engage with and influence suppliers for effective and timely delivery;
• Keep clear overview of all activities happening and issue regular reports and presentations.
• Manage allocated packaging/sourcing projects and proactively suggest solutions to McDonald’s markets and customers.
• Partner with Cluster Commercial team to ensure execution of the agreed market packaging plans and initiatives with method.
• Through regular meetings with appropriate account stake holders, review and update the objectives and maintain alignment.
• Liaise with internal HAVI/TMS departments based worldwide to achieve clients’ requirements.
• Provide packaging development support and material expertise in-line with the needs and expectations identified by HAVI/TMS customers; solutions should include a balance of innovation on consumer insight, sustainability strategy, risk management and product cost.
• Interface with various customer departments, not limited to operations, menu management, supply chain, and marketing, to identify customer needs and focus on speed-to-market solutions
• Coordinate packaging testing, including those at supplier facilities and at customer facilities, such as test kitchens, in-store testing, and any outside 3rd party test labs, to validate the performance of the package against operational and consumer criteria.

• Fully leverage and develop supplier capabilities and technical specialists that deliver results effectively and in a timely manner. Participate in supplier review meetings to provide feedback on supplier performance.
• Execute commercialization plans to ensure the product meets customer requirements and is transitioned to a continuous supply item with contingency built-in.
• Develop and maintain packaging specifications within the designated specification system.
• Build strong relationships through demonstrated integrity and trust, and display thought leadership with conviction and ability to take managed risks. 

ABOUT YOU

• 7+ years in packaging technology and/or business/packaging strategy development

• Bachelor’s degree in Science/Engineering (packaging, material science, paper science, chemical, or mechanical, polymer science preferred) 

• Project management specialization (preferred)
• Strong technical competencies in packaging science including knowledge of substrates, structural design and manufacturing processes

• Experience with project management tasks and timeline development
• Ability to connect abstract thoughts and ideas and materialize into an actionable long-term packaging strategy
• Experience working with multi-functional teams to formulate objectives and action plans
• Analytical approach to problem solving and decision making
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills
• High level of collaboration and teamwork

• Experience in Foods, QSR, FMCG or Packaging manufacturing / converting industry (preferred)

• Knowledge of packaging forms, coatings & conversion processes (preferred)

TOTAL REWARDS

Our total rewards philosophy integrates programs for compensation, benefits, recognition, learning and development, corporate culture, corporate citizenship and work-life balance. While individual program components may differ by country, some things remain constant:

• our commitment to rewarding results
• opportunities to work with talented and driven individuals at every level of our company who respect each other, treat each other fairly and hold one another accountable for our customers’—and our company’s—success

There's more ...

• inclusive employee resource groups
• generous medical, dental, vision and other great benefits
• paid parental and medical leave programs
• 401(k) with a company match component and profit sharing
• 19 days of paid time off plus 10 company holidays
• flexibility - remote work and summer Fridays
• work-from-home stipend
• tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance