R&D Director Product Development, Crosmiéres

Trivium Packaging is a global sustainability leader in metal packaging with more than 60 locations worldwide, nearly 8,000 employees, and an annual revenue of approximately €3.0 billion. Trivium serves a diverse range of customers in a variety of end markets such as food, seafood, pet food, nutrition, beauty and personal care, household care, and premium beverages.

Trivium wants to shape the industry and has embarked on an ambitious transformation journey. In the near term, focus is on building & upskilling the team, deciding where to play & how to win, and increasing financial performance by executing the Trivium Business System (commercial, operational, and supply chain excellence). Sustainability is embedded in our materials and in our actions. Trivium has ambitious sustainability targets and focuses exclusively on products that are infinitely recyclable. Our company sustainability journey has been awarded with a Platinum medal by EcoVadis, the world's leading rating agent who allocated this award only to the top 1% of the >75000 companies reviewed. Sustainability is embedded in each and every function at Trivium, it's in our DNA. The global head office is at Amsterdam Airport; however, many people work in virtual teams from different countries. Our culture is results-driven, entrepreneurial, informal, and highly multicultural. Our people have a high degree of responsibility.

The R&D Director Product Development is leading a highly skilled team of engineering professionals (thirty-six in total) across different countries but mainly based in the R&D center in Crosmiéres France.

The team holds a transversal technical expertise in the technology used in our industry and is instrumental to the development of new products focusing on eco-design.

The director is responsible for leading the team, making decisions on the technology, processes and budgets in a way that best supports our customers through the business teams.

The R&D Director Product Development ensures that the R&D organization:

• Has the right technology solutions to match or exceed client's expectations.
• Has the capability to support the business teams to win customer proposals, to design and prototype solutions.
• Evaluates technical feasibility of different projects/products.
• Protects business critical designs and standards through IP/patent requests.
• Provides technical insight (including claim handling advice) for critical activities related to any of the technologies used.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic implementation of the stage gate process in R&D with the aim to fast-track new product development and Eco-design solutions.

• Lead and improve the implementation of the stage gate process through tools and systems:
• Responsible for correct and timely visualization of projects in the stage gate process.
• Evaluate technical and economic feasibility of suggested projects and advise BUs accordingly.
• Implement and maintain Eco-Design standards and tools in global R&D.
• Lead customer and supplier sustainable innovation sessions with a focus on the Engineering and Prototyping capabilities of Trivium Packaging now and in the future.
• Develop appropriate technology in both engineering & material forming based on project requests and latest world-class techniques.

Responsible for upgrading human capital in Engineering and Prototyping teams.

• Responsible for the budget of the Engineering and Prototyping teams.
• Responsible for developing a 'business partner program' including mentorship of the R&D business partners in their personal development.
• Lead the organization in sharing of R&D knowledge across different BUs and regions.
• Increase the productivity index of the Engineering and Prototyping teams through reducing costs while increasing output through implementation of a correct team structure for the business requests and training/development of the teams.
• Develop standard ways of working for all product design processes.

End responsible for intellectual property protection of Trivium's product developments globally.

• Lead the regular IP discussions with the BUs & legal teams:
• Protecting & defending existing IPs.
• Maintenance of IP portfolio.
• Standardization of JDA/NDA processes.
• Standardization of IP data globally.
• Generate new ideas through global IP reviews in the wider packaging market.
• Be responsible for budget and service of external IP support consultants.
• Participate and speak at conferences around the topics of interest for Trivium Packaging.

Decision Making Authority

• Define the strategy for the implementation stage gate process in R&D.
• Lead the implementation of automation in the Engineering & Product Development functions.
• Define strategy and control costs for Engineering & Product Development.
• Welcome to develop creative and new initiatives to drive continuous improvements in product development.

Education: A master's degree in science or engineering with an excellent academic track record.

• Training: Experience in metallurgical product development is a must.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years' experience in a metallurgical engineering role (e.g., technical product development, managing a team in engineering and/or prototyping or other relevant employment).
• Excellent ability to support cross-functional and regional teams.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills; capable of driving insight to action.
• Experience with one or more advanced reporting tools for example: Power BI, Kanban.
• Fluent in English; ability to speak another language (e.g., Dutch, German, French, Spanish) is an advantage.

Competencies:

• Push to Exceed Expectations:
• Sets continually higher goals that are ambitious but realistic for self and team, geared to organizational objectives.
• Ability to translate R&D project objectives into goals and metrics and create engagement amongst stakeholders.
• Willing and able to encourage colleagues to step out of their comfort zone to drive results beyond expectation.

• Leading Change:
• Demonstrated experience organizing and leading a diverse group of internal contributors and stakeholders to achieve objectives.
• Drive positive change by leading by example.

• Analytic Thinking and Knowledge Development:
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with practical French as an additional language.
• The ability to confidently facilitate working sessions with key stakeholders at all levels.
• This role requires significant stakeholder engagement, project management, strategic planning, and writing skills.
• Shown a passion for product and technical capability development.

Other Personal Characteristics:

• Analytical and structured.
• Team player.
• Positive pace setter.
• Courageous leader by example.
• Entrepreneurial spirit.