Packaging Manufacturing Technology Lead
Job Purpose and Impact
The Packaging Manufacturing Technology Lead will guide a regional team of manufacturing technology professionals supporting all Food EMEA businesses (Edible Oils, Sweeteners and Starches, Cocoa and Chocolate, Protein, META, Russia). This role provides hands-on deep subject matter expertise in packaging manufacturing technology (engineering), with a strong focus on operational excellence in filling, packing, and handling liquid and dry goods.
You will be responsible for building, improving and sustaining packaging manufacturing capabilities, ensuring PPWR compliance, enabling digital transformation, and driving innovation, productivity, and cost competitiveness across our manufacturing sites.
In addition to technical leadership, you will serve as a coach, supporting sites and team members in developing technical mastery, problem solving skills, and standardized ways of working.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead and manage the Packaging Manufacturing Technology Team, setting strategic and operational priorities aligned with MSC (Manufacturing and Supply Chain) and business needs. You will coach, mentor, and support the professional development of team members to build a high impact regional capability focused on packaging manufacturing excellence.
- Define and deploy the regional roadmap for packaging manufacturing technology, including innovation, industry trend monitoring, technology mastery, IP management, and governance of productivity improvement initiatives. Work closely with commercial and business leadership to align technologies with customer and market needs.
- Own 2-3 core packaging technology domains (e.g., liquids filling, rigid packaging, corrugated packaging, fat preparation) and provide hands on technical guidance and coaching in these areas (direct participation in capital projects and performance improvement initiatives).
- Represent packaging manufacturing technology in EMEA leadership forums, bringing operational insights and technical perspectives to strategic discussions.
- Collaborate with global packaging, R&D, regulatory, and commercial teams to ensure alignment and leverage best practices/standards.
- Provide direct technical support to manufacturing plants, acting as a coach and expert. Partner with local teams, SMEs, external specialists, and capital project teams to resolve issues, improve reliability, and optimize packaging lines for both liquid and dry goods.
- Support the deployment of standardized, safe, compliant, and scalable manufacturing technology solutions, ensuring consistency across the region.
- Ensure PPWR compliance and support digitalization initiatives that enhance packaging data transparency and regulatory reporting.
- Travel approximately 50% across Europe/EMEA.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, technical, or related field, or equivalent experience.
- Demonstrated, hands on experience in packaging manufacturing technology is required.
- Direct experience in bottling/liquids filling engineering and operations is mandatory.
- Experience working with manufacturing lines for packing liquid and/or dry goods.
Preferred Qualifications
- Expertise in specific packaging manufacturing technologies or production systems.
- Demonstrated supervisory and coaching experience.
- Experience with capital projects, process optimization, or regulatory compliance.
#LI-CH1
Want more jobs like this?
Get jobs in Mechelen, Belgium delivered to your inbox every week.

Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Short-Term Disability
- HSA With Employer Contribution
- Health Insurance
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability
- FSA
- HSA
- Mental Health Benefits
Parental Benefits
- Fertility Benefits
- Family Support Resources
- Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
- Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Adoption Leave
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Remote Work Opportunities
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Casual Dress
- On-Site Cafeteria
- Holiday Events
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Sabbatical
- Leave of Absence
- Volunteer Time Off
Financial and Retirement
- 401(K) With Company Matching
- Stock Purchase Program
- Performance Bonus
- Relocation Assistance
- Financial Counseling
Professional Development
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Promote From Within
- Mentor Program
- Shadowing Opportunities
- Access to Online Courses
- Lunch and Learns
- Internship Program
- Work Visa Sponsorship
- Leadership Training Program
- Associate or Rotational Training Program
Diversity and Inclusion