Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to support the Global R&D Packaging team in implementing a cohesive sustainability strategy across all product lines. You will manage the distribution and adherence to central policies, ensuring that local packaging teams have the technical guidance needed to meet corporate commitments. Key responsibilities include leading specific projects focused on waste reduction and recycling efficiency. This involves auditing current packaging materials—such as glass, paper, and aluminum—to ensure they meet 'Design for Recycling' (D4R) standards and providing the technical dossiers necessary to support environmental marketing claims. Additionally, you will scout and coordinate external collaborations and partnerships. By representing the company in industry working groups, you will bring external innovations back to the R&D department to keep the product portfolio ahead of evolving global regulations.

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

Working within a global leader offers deep exposure to large-scale FMCG manufacturing and the complex logistics of sustainable packaging. You will develop advanced skills in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies, particularly using tools like SimaPro to quantify environmental impacts. There is significant potential to learn about the circular economy from a technical perspective, including sorting technologies and recycling infrastructure across different regions. You will also gain experience in corporate governance by supporting the Central Sustainability Team with data required for global manifestos.

Q: How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate holds a degree in Engineering or another scientific discipline and has several years of experience specifically within packaging sustainability. Deep technical knowledge of materials like plastics and paper is essential, as is a data-driven mindset for interpreting complex environmental metrics. Soft skills are equally important; the role requires someone who can communicate technical concepts clearly to non-specialists in Marketing or Institutional Affairs. Proficiency in English and Italian is essential for navigating the global and local dimensions of the group. Familiarity with SAP and advanced Excel is highly valued for managing the vast datasets associated with global packaging inventories. Candidates who have previously worked in international consultancies will find their background particularly relevant.

Q: Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your technical expertise in specific materials and your ability to apply design-for-recycling principles to real-world industrial products. Ferrero values its family heritage and reputation, so demonstrating an alignment with long-term, high-quality standards is more effective than focusing solely on short-term gains. Prepare to discuss how you have previously used data to influence stakeholders and drive change. Since this role bridges the gap between R&D and corporate communication, showing that you can provide 'claim-supporting dossiers' that are both scientifically rigorous and commercially viable will be a major advantage.

Q: What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is central to the company's circularity and waste reduction goals. You will focus heavily on improving the recyclability of secondary and primary packaging, ensuring that materials discarded by consumers can successfully re-enter the value chain. There is also a strong focus on Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) through LCA studies. This data helps the company track its progress toward its 2030 climate goals, specifically regarding Scope 3 emissions related to the procurement and processing of packaging materials.

Q: What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the biggest challenges will be harmonizing sustainability guidelines across diverse global markets with varying recycling infrastructures. What is recyclable in one country may not be in another, requiring a high degree of adaptability in technical strategy. Maintaining the balance between sustainability and functionality is also critical. Packaging must protect the quality and safety of confectionery products while being eco-friendly, which often creates complex technical trade-offs that require innovative problem-solving.

Q: How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a technical review of packaging materials for a new product launch, followed by a meeting with the Marketing team to validate the sustainability claims for a global campaign. You might spend the afternoon on data analysis in SimaPro , calculating the carbon footprint of a packaging change, or attending an industry webinar to stay updated on new plastic taxes. The day often concludes with coordinating with local plant teams to test new, more sustainable materials on the production line.

Q: What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

The role provides a platform for long-term career development within a global R&D organization. High performers may move into more senior management positions within the Sustainability or Packaging departments, potentially overseeing entire regions. Given the group's global expanse, there are also opportunities to participate in integrating new brands into the corporate sustainability framework, providing high visibility through complex, high-impact projects that reach the executive level.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internally, you will interact closely with Area Packaging Specialists , the Global R&D Packaging head, and the Central Sustainability Team. You will also serve as a technical consultant for Marketing and Corporate Communication departments. Externally, you will represent the company in industry associations and working groups . You will also collaborate with suppliers, recycling organizations, and waste management entities to explore new technologies.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission is to support the Global R&D Packaging team in implementing a cohesive sustainability strategy across all product lines. You will manage the distribution and adherence to central policies, ensuring that local packaging teams have the technical guidance needed to meet corporate commitments. Key responsibilities include leading specific projects focused on waste reduction and recycling efficiency. This involves auditing current packaging materials—such as glass, paper, and aluminum—to ensure they meet 'Design for Recycling' (D4R) standards and providing the technical dossiers necessary to support environmental marketing claims. Additionally, you will scout and coordinate external collaborations and partnerships. By representing the company in industry working groups, you will bring external innovations back to the R&D department to keep the product portfolio ahead of evolving global regulations.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

Working within a global leader offers deep exposure to large-scale FMCG manufacturing and the complex logistics of sustainable packaging. You will develop advanced skills in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies, particularly using tools like SimaPro to quantify environmental impacts. There is significant potential to learn about the circular economy from a technical perspective, including sorting technologies and recycling infrastructure across different regions. You will also gain experience in corporate governance by supporting the Central Sustainability Team with data required for global manifestos.

Question 3

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate holds a degree in Engineering or another scientific discipline and has several years of experience specifically within packaging sustainability. Deep technical knowledge of materials like plastics and paper is essential, as is a data-driven mindset for interpreting complex environmental metrics. Soft skills are equally important; the role requires someone who can communicate technical concepts clearly to non-specialists in Marketing or Institutional Affairs. Proficiency in English and Italian is essential for navigating the global and local dimensions of the group. Familiarity with SAP and advanced Excel is highly valued for managing the vast datasets associated with global packaging inventories. Candidates who have previously worked in international consultancies will find their background particularly relevant.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, emphasize your technical expertise in specific materials and your ability to apply design-for-recycling principles to real-world industrial products. Ferrero values its family heritage and reputation, so demonstrating an alignment with long-term, high-quality standards is more effective than focusing solely on short-term gains. Prepare to discuss how you have previously used data to influence stakeholders and drive change. Since this role bridges the gap between R&D and corporate communication, showing that you can provide 'claim-supporting dossiers' that are both scientifically rigorous and commercially viable will be a major advantage.

Question 5

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

Accepted Answer

This role is central to the company's circularity and waste reduction goals. You will focus heavily on improving the recyclability of secondary and primary packaging, ensuring that materials discarded by consumers can successfully re-enter the value chain. There is also a strong focus on Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) through LCA studies. This data helps the company track its progress toward its 2030 climate goals, specifically regarding Scope 3 emissions related to the procurement and processing of packaging materials.

Question 6

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

Accepted Answer

One of the biggest challenges will be harmonizing sustainability guidelines across diverse global markets with varying recycling infrastructures. What is recyclable in one country may not be in another, requiring a high degree of adaptability in technical strategy. Maintaining the balance between sustainability and functionality is also critical. Packaging must protect the quality and safety of confectionery products while being eco-friendly, which often creates complex technical trade-offs that require innovative problem-solving.

Question 7

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with a technical review of packaging materials for a new product launch, followed by a meeting with the Marketing team to validate the sustainability claims for a global campaign. You might spend the afternoon on data analysis in SimaPro, calculating the carbon footprint of a packaging change, or attending an industry webinar to stay updated on new plastic taxes. The day often concludes with coordinating with local plant teams to test new, more sustainable materials on the production line.

Question 8

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Accepted Answer

The role provides a platform for long-term career development within a global R&D organization. High performers may move into more senior management positions within the Sustainability or Packaging departments, potentially overseeing entire regions. Given the group's global expanse, there are also opportunities to participate in integrating new brands into the corporate sustainability framework, providing high visibility through complex, high-impact projects that reach the executive level.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

Internally, you will interact closely with Area Packaging Specialists, the Global R&D Packaging head, and the Central Sustainability Team. You will also serve as a technical consultant for Marketing and Corporate Communication departments. Externally, you will represent the company in industry associations and working groups. You will also collaborate with suppliers, recycling organizations, and waste management entities to explore new technologies.

R&D Group Packaging Sustainability Specialist

Job-FAQs

Verpasse nie wieder die nächste Chance

Möchtest du passendere Stellenangebote erhalten?

Alles erledigt!