Packaging Design & Discovery Team Lead - R&D

Are you ready to take the helm as a Packaging Design & Discovery Team Lead? We’re on the lookout for someone special to join the dynamic team at Utrecht. 

In this exciting role, you will mentor a diverse group, nurturing a culture of excellence and fresh ideas. Imagine collaborating with top-notch external partners, gathering insights to elevate the packaging portfolio to new heights!

But that’s not all; you'll also play a crucial role in shaping the intellectual property strategy, working hand-in-hand with the legal team to ensure our innovative designs are protected and documented like the valuable assets they are.

As you align the packaging design strategies with the business goals, you'll oversee the entire design process—from that first spark of an idea to the finished product- all while maintaining our high-quality standards. 

This isn’t just a job; it’s your chance to shape the future of packaging in one of the world’s leading food organizations. If you’re looking to make a real impact and contribute to meaningful growth, we want to hear from you!

So, are you ready to take the next step? Apply now!

Beschrijving

Responsibilities : Packaging Design & Discovery Team Lead - R&D

This role offers the opportunity to shape packaging design and innovation while ensuring alignment with business goals and external advancement . Your will be reporting 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.

Requirements

Requirements : Packaging Design & Discovery Team Lead - R&D

• 8+ years of experience in product design, with at least 3+ years in a leadership or management role within a complex organisation;
• 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.

Salaris

The Offer : Packaging Design & Discovery Team Lead - R&D

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

What will happen when you apply? Within four working days, we will let you know whether you are qualified for the position. If you do we will schedule an interview (digital or live). In this interview, we will inform you about the vacancy, the company, and the procedure. If we both agree this is a fitting opportunity we will introduce you to our client and continue to guide you through the whole application process. The Independent Recruiters Group has a large team of specialized recruitment consultants. Every recruiter has a strong focus regarding his/her field of expertise. This makes them the ideal sparring partner for both you, as the candidate, and the client.