R&D Packaging Team Lead - Instant & Liquids CT12/F
R&D Utrecht Full-time Netherlands
Job Description
This role sits within our Global R&D team — a diverse, collaborative group where learning and development are part of the culture.
As our R&D Packaging Category Team Lead, you’ll guide innovation, renovation, quality, and sustainability projects across our packaging portfolio. You’ll lead a team of up to 6 direct reports, and your work will have a real impact on both our products and our value chain.
We’re looking for someone who combines technical expertise with strong people leadership — someone who can inspire, challenge, and support their team to deliver meaningful results.
🛠️ What You’ll Do:
- Lead cross-functional R&D teams and make sure projects are delivered smoothly and on time
- Allocate resources wisely and keep projects focused, technical, and consumer-centric
- Mentor and develop talent, build succession plans, and share best practices
- Oversee end-to-end R&D program execution — from kick-off to rollout
- Partner with internal stakeholders to drive innovation and product improvement
- Take ownership of packaging technologies, from design to commercial launch
Qualifications
We’re after a self-starter who’s not afraid to own their space, speak up, and deliver. Someone with strong technical packaging experience and a track record of leading teams. You value diverse thinking and understand your own strengths (and gaps).
While we focus on the whole person, these are the skills and experience we think will help you hit the ground running:
🎓 What’s Great to Have:
- A degree in a technical/food science-related field
- Strong knowledge of materials, packaging machinery, processes & Six Sigma
- Experience in food safety, packaging development, and commercialization
- Proven ability to manage and grow high-performing teams
- At least 10 years of relevant/similar experience
Additional Information
🤝 Why Join Us?
- Because you’ll do meaningful work with real ownership.
- Because you’ll lead change, not just respond to it.
- And because we take coffee and people seriously — but not ourselves.
Company Description
At JDE Peet's, we believe that a great cup of coffee or tea can be the start of something meaningful — a conversation, a connection, an idea. That mindset drives everything we do.
Our roots go way back to 1753, and today we’re still evolving, growing, and reimagining how coffee and tea can shape the future. From bean to cup, we reach millions of people every day through some of the world’s best-loved brands.
We’re on a mission to build a more sustainable world — responsibly sourcing, reducing our footprint, and bringing people together across cultures and backgrounds.
Whether you’re with us for two years or thirty, you’ll find real opportunities to grow. We invest in our people, offering a strong foundation, a clear path forward, and plenty of support along the way.
Here’s a taste of what’s in the package:
- Learning & development budget
- Career growth support
- Health & life insurance
- Pension plan
- 25 vacation days + 12 ADV days (because balance matters)