VP Innovation

VP Innovation & Technology page is loaded VP Innovation & Technology Apply remote type #LI-Hybrid locations Leeuwarden Espoo La Rochelle Czeladz Nules time type Full time posted on Posted 19 Days Ago job requisition id R033595

Inspired to grow with your experience, learn and share with new colleagues?

 

Huhtamaki is a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions for consumers around the world, enabling wellbeing and convenience. Our innovative products protect on-the-go and on-the-shelf food and beverages, ensuring hygiene and safety, and help prevent food waste.

We are committed to protecting food, people and the planet and are on the lookout for passionate and consummate professionals to join our growing team to help us deliver on our ambitious 2030 Strategy. We look for colleagues who Care, Dare and Deliver.

Fiber Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania (EAO) business segment offers high quality molded fiber and paperboard packaging for fresh food and beverages across Europe, Asia, Oceania, Middle East and Africa. We serve quick service and fast casual restaurants, coffee shops and vending operators as well as egg, fruit and vegetable producers. The segment has a turnover of €1.4 billion (2023). The business has about 6,100 employees and 31 manufacturing sites across Europe, Asia, Oceania, Middle East and Africa.

VICE PRESIDENT, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY, FIBER FOODSERVICE EAO

Are you passionate about exploring and developing new sustainable packaging solutions?

Huhtamaki are looking for an experienced Vice President, Innovation and Technology to create the new and the different within our Fiber Foodservice segment. The role is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of innovation strategies, sustainable products, and technology solutions within the Fiber Foodservice segment. 

Reporting in to the President, Fiber Foodservice, the successful candidate will lead a team of innovation and R&D professionals to drive innovative product and technology development and enhance customer experiences.

In addition, the role will work across the business together with Regions and Functions (including global commercial categories, operations, sustainability) in the segment and across the Group, and with customers. It will also lead our cross-segment fiber program together with Fiber Foodservice and North America segments at Huhtamaki.

Ideally the successful candidate will be based in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, Espoo, Finland, or Valencia, Spain - though, other locations in Europe will be considered.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities of the Vice President of Innovation and Technology include:

1. Developing and executing technology strategies that align with business goals and objectives.

• Prioritization, road mapping and oversight for the segment of initiatives contributing to plastic substitution strategy to 2030.

• Coordination and communication across internal stakeholders to ensure an effective and successful execution and implementation (e.g. Commercial, Technology, Operations and Regions)

2. Leading the development of new products, services, and solutions that meet customer needs and drive revenue growth.

• Design and development of new packaging solutions required for global and regional customer’s needs, trends, markets & legislations requirements for the various categories.

• New Product Development (NPD) planning for the category, based on the identified needs, and management of key customers’ and general development projects. 

• Ownership of key NPD capabilities and continued development of those

• Ensuring means, resourcing and infrastructure for project prototyping and trialing in cooperation with relevant Market Units and Functions

• Managing the innovation pipeline and ensuring that all projects are delivered on time and within budget.

3. Working together with the venturing team to screen start-up companies with innovative technologies that could be used to accelerate the development of Huhtamaki’s innovation projects.

• Identifying which start-ups have most potential for Huhtamaki’s innovation efforts.

• Identifying internal project leaders for each collaboration with a start-up.

• Ensuring that open innovation projects are delivered on time and within budget.

• Identifying potential start-up companies that offer commercial alignment to Huhtamaki (collaboration, license, offtake agreement, etc) and that Huhtamaki could invest in (minority stakes) to ensure better alignment with Huhtamaki innovation objectives.

4. Conducting market research and analysis to identify emerging technologies and trends that can be leveraged to improve business operations.

• Scouting solutions following or anticipating trends in the market, regulation and availability of new materials, applications and features, and abstraction of customer’s requests.

• Impact assessment (risks and opportunities) for expanding and/or protecting current business and intellectual property.

• Mapping ecosystems and potential partnerships to tackle risks and opportunities in the domain of materials, applications, and features.

5. IP management

• Managing the IP portfolio and new applications in new products and solutions for the segment.

• Following IP development within the critical fields of interest for the segment.

• Advise and guide the development teams in identification of IP possibilities during the development process.

• Support the creation of IP Strategic roadmap together with Group IP/Legal function.

• Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards, including data privacy and security.

6. Leadership 

• Direct leadership of central front-end and back-end innovation and R&D teams.

• Ownership of innovation community in the segment to gain alignment in goals and ways of working.

• Driving cross-segment fiber program with North America colleagues.

• Building a culture of innovation within the organization and fostering a collaborative and entrepreneurial mindset.

• Managing and mentoring a team of technology professionals, including developers, engineers, and project managers.

• Collaborating with other departments, including marketing, sales, and operations, to ensure seamless integration of technology solutions.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• A degree in a related field, such as engineering, tech or marketing, is required.

• A proven track record in a product and technology innovation leadership role within relevant industries (packaging, foodservice, FMCG etc)

• Demonstrable experience in leading teams and developing technology strategies.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills

• The ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels

• Strong commercial acumen and project management skills.

• A curious, continuous improvement mindset with the ability to drive projects through to completion.

• Values and passion align with Huhtamaki - caring about food, people, and the planet.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

The opportunity to transform businesses with new sustainable solutions. You will get to work with experienced, high-quality colleagues and stakeholders, in an international environment.

Please apply via the link, attaching your CV prior to the deadline of 13th June. Applications may be reviewed and responded to prior to the deadline.

Join us to shape the future together

We are global specialists in packaging for food and drink, dedicated to making every consumer experience enjoyable, consistent, and safe. We understand that packaging is about so much more than just what goes round a product. It's about building brands, protecting reputation, and opening up new opportunities in new markets. We have 78 manufacturing units in 34 countries with approximately 18,000 employees dedicated to supporting our customers' growth.