Roles and Responsibilities:
1. Packaging Innovation & NPD Pipeline (Cross-Category)
- Own the multi-year packaging innovation roadmap across confectionery, gum, and emerging categories — aligned to consumer trends, brand premiumization, and the global PVM innovation agenda.
- Build and drive a strong front-end NPD packaging pipeline with cross-category breadth — formats, structures, delivery systems, on-pack interaction, smart/active packaging.
- Partner with Marketing, Consumer Insights, and Design to convert briefs into commercially viable, shelf-distinctive solutions.
- Continuously scan emerging materials, novel formats, digital print/personalization, and bring credible bets into the pipeline.
2. Packaging Technology & Technology Transfer
- Lead identification, evaluation, and induction of new packaging technologies — machinery, materials, automation, in-line quality systems, printing.
- Own end-to-end technology transfer from concept and pilot to full-scale commercialization across the plants — bridging R&D, Engineering, Operations, and Suppliers.
- Direct the printing technology agenda: structures, inks, gravure/flexo capability development, color management, and print-quality standards.
- Build PVM India's depth in packaging machinery, line configurations, and process windows.
3. Packaging Operations Support & Technical Excellence
- Serve as the technical authority for packaging issues on the lines: machine compatibility, sealing/coding/print defects, line losses, quality escalations.
- Own and maintain the packaging technical standards architecture — specifications, Pack Styles, FMEAs, SOPs, machine settings, and shelf-life / transit / stability protocols.
- Drive OEE improvement and reduction in packaging-related rejections across the three plants.
- Ensure changeovers, new SKU launches, and plant trials run on time, on quality, and on cost.
4. Sustainability & Regulatory Compliance
- Deliver against PVM's global sustainability commitments — recyclability, mono-material structures, PCR integration, downgauging, virgin plastic reduction.
- Ensure full compliance with FSSAI, EPR, plastic waste management rules, and global food-contact regulations.
- Collaborate on data analytics and reporting for EPR & PWM regulatory compliance.
- Lead engagement with regulators, industry forums, and certification agencies.
- Work with Central group sustainability team for data reporting
5. . Global RDQ Collaboration & Two-Way Alignment
- Act as the primary technical interface between PVM India an the Global Packaging /GRDQ team, ensuring India stays current with Global Packaging on issues, supports, solutions, and functional capabilities in pack.
- Effective partnership and seamless two-way collaboration with Global Packaging RDQ in accelerating success in India Innovation program
- Represent PVM India in global packaging forums, technical working groups, sustainability and standardization initiatives.
6. Value/Cost Engineering & Vendor Development
- Develop & Deliver an annual packaging VA/VE pipeline — material substitution, structure optimization, standardization, downgauging — without compromising integrity.
- Lead vendor development: technical audits, qualification of new suppliers, capability building, joint-development partnerships.
- Partner with Procurement on technical inputs to commercial negotiations.
7. Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead a team of 2 direct + 4 dotted-line reports spanning innovation/NPD, printing technology, packaging operations support, and R&D planning.
- Build a future-ready bench through hiring, mentoring, succession planning, and upskilling in simulation tools, polymer science, automation, and digital printing.
- Set the culture of technical rigor, curiosity, and ownership.