EU R&I Packaging Engineer

OVER DE FUNCTIE Shape the future of sustainable packaging in Europe As an EU R&I Packaging Engineer, you will join the European One Packaging Team and play a key role in developing innovative, sustainable and consumer-centric packaging solutions across Danone's European portfolio. You will manage packaging projects from concept to launch, working closely with R&I, Marketing, Operations, Quality, Procurement and external suppliers across multiple European countries. Your mission is to deliver packaging that creates an outstanding consumer experience while supporting our ambitions around circularity, sustainability, food safety and cost competitiveness. This is a highly collaborative role where you will combine technical expertise, project management and innovation to help shape the future of packaging within a fast-moving FMCG environment. Your key responsibilities Lead packaging innovation, renovation and productivity projects from idea to market launch. Develop primary, secondary and tertiary packaging solutions aligned with consumer, business and sustainability objectives. Translate marketing and business needs into clear packaging concepts and technical solutions. Ensure packaging designs meet requirements related to circularity, recyclability, food safety, quality and performance. Coordinate packaging development activities with internal stakeholders, manufacturing sites and external suppliers. Plan and execute packaging trials in collaboration with factories and production teams. Manage project timelines, budgets, risks and priorities to ensure successful delivery. Validate packaging solutions through testing and industrial trials before market introduction. Create and maintain packaging documentation, technical specifications and approval dossiers. Contribute to the packaging innovation pipeline by identifying new technologies, materials and opportunities. Support the implementation of Danone's sustainability and circular packaging roadmap across Europe. Collaborate with European and local R&I teams to share best practices and accelerate innovation. OVER JOU What you'll bring You are a curious and hands-on packaging professional who enjoys working in a dynamic international environment. You combine strong technical knowledge with project management skills and thrive when collaborating with different stakeholders. Must-haves Bachelor's or Master's degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering or a related field. Minimum 2 years of experience in packaging development within FMCG, food, beverage or consumer goods. Experience managing technical projects in a cross-functional or matrix organization. Strong knowledge of packaging materials such as plastics, paper and cardboard. Good understanding of packaging manufacturing technologies and production processes. Knowledge of food packaging regulations and food safety requirements. Strong project management and prioritization skills. Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders across countries and functions. Fluent English communication skills. Nice-to-haves Experience with sustainable packaging and circular economy principles. Knowledge of packaging recyclability regulations and evolving EU legislation. Familiarity with consumer experience methodologies and packaging design tools. Experience working with co-manufacturers and external suppliers. Knowledge of PLM or packaging development systems. Key competencies Proactive and solution-oriented mindset. Strong ownership and accountability. Innovation-driven and continuously looking for improvements. Excellent stakeholder management skills. Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving capabilities. Team player who enjoys collaboration and knowledge sharing. Ability to balance consumer needs, sustainability requirements and business realities. Why join us? At Danone, you'll have the opportunity to work on packaging solutions that reach millions of consumers across Europe. In