Pernod Ricard India | AGM Packaging Development | gurugram

PROFILE OVERVIEW & JOB SUMMARY:

The Head of Packaging Development will lead our packaging function at a strategic level, driving transformative innovation, renovation, troubleshooting, and advanced technical support across our portfolio. This senior role requires a visionary approach to packaging development, combining creativity, technical acumen, and sustainability insights to set new standards in functional, aesthetic, and eco-conscious packaging solutions with passion for team and organizational progress.

Lead the Packaging Development function with a focus on strategic innovation, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration to create world-class packaging solutions that align with company objectives. This role emphasizes sustainable development, cost efficiency, quality assurance, and brand integrity across all packaging initiatives globally.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Packaging Development

• Develop Long-Term Strategies : Shape and execute a forward-looking packaging strategy in alignment with business objectives and market trends, ensuring adherence to the highest quality and regulatory standards.
• Comprehensive Project Oversight : Drive packaging development across new product launches (NPDs), limited editions, new SKUs, and value-added products (VAPs), ensuring impactful, efficient, and consumer-centric packaging solutions.
• Strategic Brand Support : Collaborate closely with brand and product teams, offering packaging expertise for all restage and line extension projects, including adjacent categories like water, non-alcoholic beverages, and other extensions.
• Innovative Solution Repository: Build and maintain a dynamic portfolio of cost-effective, premium, and brand-secure packaging solutions, ready for agile deployment across projects.

Technical & Quality Oversight

• Standards and Specifications: Lead the development and ongoing refinement of technical specifications and manuals for all packaging materials, supporting operational excellence and global compliance.
• Quality Assurance : Oversee quality control protocols for all new and existing packaging, ensuring rigorous adherence to standards and regulatory requirements.
• Vendor Management and Empanelment: Collaborate with procurement to assess, select, and manage a diverse pool of suppliers, prioritizing capabilities, innovation potential, and infrastructure to deliver on the organization’s packaging vision.
• Standardization and SOP Issuance: Ensure all packaging materials have up-to-date specifications and SOPs, facilitating seamless integration and continuous improvement across the organization.

Sustainability and Cost Management

• Drive Sustainable Packaging : Champion initiatives for sustainable packaging development, including projects to minimize carbon footprint and fulfill extended producer responsibility (EPR) commitments.
• Efficiency and Consumer Insight : Continuously monitor consumer feedback and market dynamics to drive packaging improvements that meet cost efficiency and sustainability targets.
• Materials and Process Innovation : Lead the exploration and implementation of new materials, processes, and technologies that reduce costs and enhance the sustainability and efficiency of packaging.

Open Innovation, Cross-functional, Global and Industry Collaboration

• Foster Open Innovation : Leverage external partnerships to incorporate advanced packaging technologies, enhancing product aesthetics, functionality, security, and sustainability.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Partner with teams in Marketing, Operations, and Sales to evaluate and execute packaging initiatives for new products and restages.
• Global Alignment and Industry Engagement : Build synergies with global teams and industry partners, aligning on packaging standards and best practices. Actively participate in industry forums to stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies.

External Engagement: Maintain strategic relationships with design, development, and technology partners, suppliers, consultancies, and academic institutions to support ongoing innovation and compliance.

KPIs (Measures of Success for this role):

Time to Market – Meeting deadlines for packaging launches.

Innovation Quality & Funnel – Volume and quality of new ideas in the innovation pipeline.

Cost Efficiency – Achievement of cost-saving targets.

Sustainability Progress – Advancement in sustainable packaging solutions.

Quality and Compliance – Adherence to global quality and regulatory standards.

Consumer Satisfaction – Positive feedback on packaging experience.

Impact and Success of Packaging Solutions – Demonstrable brand and product success tied to packaging initiatives.

Internal Stakeholders:

• Integrated Operations: R&D, Procurement, Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain
• Commercial & Planning: Marketing & Consumer Insights, Sales
• Other Functions: Finance, Legal & Regulatory, IT, HR
• Global Brand Companies & Technical Headquarters

External Stakeholders:

Innovation Partners : Design and Technology providers

Suppliers and Manufacturers Laboratories, Consultancies, Agencies Academic Institutions & Industry Bodies

PROFILE DETAILS:

QUALIFICATION

Essential Criteria

Post-Graduation in Packaging from IIP from reputed University in India or abroad. Engineering/Food Technology/Material Science at graduation would be advantageous.

Desirable Criteria

• Additional certifications in Packaging Design Software, Digital Packaging workflows, Sustainability tools will be beneficial.
• Advanced packaging courses like Simulation models from AGR, GPI, GMIC, WPO, IPI or equivalent will be preferred

EXPERIENCE (Please specify in case there are any preferred industries) :

Essential Criteria

• A minimum of 15+ years of experience in packaging development specifically within the beverage industry or closely related FMCG sectors.Prior experience in working in R&D/Technical development with proven track record of developing new packaging, formats and improving existing packaging, showcasing creativity and technical proficiency from concept through to commercialization.
• Experience in Packaging Supply Chain/ Procurement will be advantageous.

Desirable Criteria

Glass packaging

• Experience in development of various Packaging materials like glass, PET, closures, metal cans and labels.
• Understanding of plant equipment like blowing machines, filling and capping machines will be an added advantage.

PRI LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Growth Mindset; Deliver through Collaboration; Bold & Agile

Consumer Centric; Grow Diverse Teams; Open & Authentic

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

Packaging Design and Innovation

Material Science Knowledge

Technical Proficiency in Packaging Technologies

Regulatory Compliance and Safety Standards

Sustainability Practices & tools

Quality Control and Assurance

Vendor Management and Negotiation

Data Analysis and Technical Reporting

Project Management and Coordination

Financial acumen

BEHAVIORAL SKILLS

Drive for business results

Innovation and Creativity

Problem Solving and Analytical Thinking

Willing to travel

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Team Collaboration & Proactive Leadership

Stakeholder Management & Resourcefulness

Adaptability and Flexibility