Packaging Manager North America – Rigids, PCR & Global Molds SME

Earlier this year, Unilever announced an agreement to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Company, creating a scaled global flavor powerhouse. The proposed combination would bring together iconic Foods brands, including Hellmann’s and Knorr, with McCormick’s portfolio to create a global leader across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by strong retail and foodservice platforms. McCormick brings more than 135 years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion estimated for mid-2027. 

Job Title Packaging Manager North America – Rigids, PCR & Global Molds SME 

Function Procurement 

Work Level and Grade WL2C 

Reports to Packaging Director – North America & Global Rigids Lead, WL3X 

Scope North America & Global 

Country Location and Worksite Details Hoboken US HQ 

JOB PURPOSE

This role leads procurement for the North America rigid-packaging portfolio and PCR agenda, translating business, portfolio, regulatory and sustainability priorities into a multi-year commercial roadmap across approximately €110+ million managed spend. The role also serves as the Global Molds subject-matter expert, establishing sourcing standards, supplier strategies, should-cost models, asset governance and lifecycle-value approaches across injection and blow-molding applications. In close partnership with R&D, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, Legal, Sustainability, global portfolio teams and markets, the role delivers competitive sourcing, verified recycled-material supply, mold investment and health, innovation, supplier transitions and on-time industrialization. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, develop and empower the North America Rigids, PCR and Global Molds Procurement team of two FTEs, including this Manager role, with one Assistant Manager reporting directly, responsible for approximately €110+ million managed spend. 

• Own the North America rigid-packaging, PCR and Global Molds procurement portfolio, translating business, growth, regulatory and sustainability priorities into a multi-year category strategy and value-creation roadmap. 

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies informed by resin and feedstock dynamics, conversion economics, should-cost models, supplier capability, regional demand, technology developments and regulatory requirements. 

• Lead supplier selection, negotiation, contracting and performance governance, delivering competitiveness, cash, working capital, innovation, quality, service and resilient supplier capacity. 

• Own the North America PCR sourcing and supplier-development roadmap, securing competitive and scalable recycled-material supply with robust chain-of-custody, certification, traceability, food-contact compliance, quality controls and performance standards. 

• Act as the Global Molds subject-matter expert, setting sourcing and ownership standards, supplier strategies, cost models and governance across mold design, build, qualification, maintenance, health, capacity, refurbishment, replacement and decommissioning. 

• Build strategic partnerships with resin suppliers, converters, recyclers and mold makers to unlock value engineering, specification optimization, technology adoption, cycle-time improvement, circularity and speed to market. 

• Partner with R&D, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, Legal, Sustainability, global portfolio teams and markets to govern mold investment, support innovation and trials, manage supplier transitions and deliver on-time industrialization and launches. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree with 7–10 years of relevant experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, Packaging or Engineering within an international FMCG or manufacturing environment, including strategic sourcing responsibility. 

• Demonstrated success leading regional packaging procurement strategies and complex sourcing programs, with experience operating at comparable spend and organizational scale. 

• Deep knowledge of rigid-packaging value chains, injection and blow molding, resins, PCR materials, packaging technologies, recycled-content compliance and circular-economy opportunities. 

• Strong technical and commercial understanding of mold design, manufacture, ownership models, qualification, maintenance, validation, capacity, cost drivers and lifecycle management. 

• Strong strategic-sourcing, negotiation and contracting capability, supported by financial acumen, should-cost modelling, market analysis, price forecasting and supplier-performance management. 

• Enterprise leadership mindset, with the ability to set clear priorities, lead through ambiguity and packaging-market change, balance strategic thinking with execution, build trusted senior stakeholder relationships and develop the Assistant Manager while contributing to broader procurement capability development. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant technical, engineering, packaging or commercial postgraduate qualification. 

• Experience developing PCR supply markets, including certification, chain-of-custody, food-contact, regulatory, traceability, quality and supplier-performance requirements. 

• Experience leading global mold programs, tooling governance, supplier transitions, innovation or change programs across functions and geographies. 

We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.  

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner.

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At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

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Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.

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