Packaging Development Americas Sr Manager

Jun 4, 2026

Packaging Development Americas Sr Manager

About Barilla

At Barilla, we believe that every great journey begins with passion and a bold vision. From our humble beginnings in 1877 in a small shop in Parma, Italy, we’ve blossomed into a global leader in the food industry, guided by our commitment to progress and excellence.

Today, Barilla is an international group present in more than 100 countries and we are proud to be recognized as the world’s top food company by reputation. With 22 beloved brands in our portfolio, we are world leader for pasta, the number one choice for ready-made sauces in Europe, leader for bakery products in Italy, and for crispbread across Scandinavia with Wasa.

Our success story is written by a passionate team of almost 9,000 dedicated employees across 30 plants and offices worldwide, all united by a shared mission to nourish the future with purpose and passion.

Are you ready to add your unique flavor to our journey?

Job Purpose

To lead the development and implementation of Region Americas packaging (cross-categories), delivering the best packaging experience to our consumers, while achieving the optimal balance among superior quality, environmental responsibility, and operational efficiency inside the perimeter of competence.

This is a hybrid role based out of Northbrook, IL.

Key Accountabilities

People management

• Lead, mentor, motivate and direct his/her two reports fostering a collaborative and result-driven work environment.
• Define and lead the Americas packaging development strategies building the necessary technical and managerial know-how, optimizing workplace productivity, and promoting professional growth.
• Set clear objectives, delegate tasks while providing the needed managerial and technical support and regular feedback.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination within packaging team and other relevant departments, working in close collaboration with other leaders.
  
  

New packaging development and industrialization

• Lead the development and industrialization of new packaging solutions (Consumer, Trade and Handling Units), based on existing and/or available technologies, for the Region Americas Masterplan projects, starting from consumers and customers’ needs understanding and applying a Shopper/ Consumer/ Customer’s Design driven approach.
• Guarantee that the developed packaging solutions ensure recipe’s protection all along the product’s shelf life, while matching logistic and distribution channels key requirements both for primary (shelf) and secondary (out of shelf) placement, enhancing packaging sustainability.
• Work in close partnership with project leaders and the heads of other relevant departments to ensure the projects are delivered according to the expected quality and industrial standards and in line with the defined costs and timing.
  
  

Existing portfolio management

• Packaging ESG strategy: to influence the Region Americas in the implementation of the ESG strategy, ensuring long term goals achievement, always guaranteeing superior quality experience for our consumers and full alignment with the future business needs of the category.
• Designed-quality continuous improvement: based on deep consumer’s understanding, to define the strategy both to significantly improve the consumer experience and to give actual value to the business.
• Design to Value and PCM projects: define the strategy to make Region Americas packaging system more competitive, while ensuring to deliver to our consumers the best packaging experience.
• Supply security: partner with Purchasing and QFS directors in order to co-design an effective packaging purchasing strategy aiming to protect the Region Americas against business interruption and quality incidents risks.
  
  

Systems and processes

• To set clear guidelines for the managed team and to design the needed processes in order to guarantee efficient and effective management of the Packaging technical specs, artworks and Packaging process standards.
• Packaging materials and drawings: to manage the Region Americas packaging specs system. Focus on properly agreeing with the involved suppliers all the technical aspects and perfectly communicate with internal stakeholders, according to the Company’s procedure and systems.
• Packaging Artworks: lead the artwork process for the technical and graphical packaging part, according to the Company’s procedure and system, in strong collaboration with internal stakeholders and leading external providers stakeholders for a perfect graphical execution.
• Packaging process standards: to define the relevant process parameters for the existing and new packaging operations within the assigned projects.
  
  

Desired Skills And Background

• Minimum of 7 year in packaging within FMCG brand owners
• Bachelor’s degree in: Food/Packaging Science-technology, Engineering, Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry or related fields
• Experience with the use of AutoCAD or drawing software.
• Communication, negotiation, assertiveness, international team player, planning results oriented.
• Essential skills: analytical, communication, negotiation, strategic thinker, team builder
  
  

As of the date of this posting, the estimated pay range for this role is $120K-$140K plus eligibility to participate in the annual discretionary bonus plan. The actual pay for the position will be determined by various factors, including but not limited to job-related experience, skills, education, location, and internal equity. This range may be subject to change over time.

Barilla strives to provide you and your family with a wide range of benefit options to support your overall health and financial well-being needs. This position qualifies for benefits that include medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, a 401(K) plan with company match, life and disability plans, and an employee assistance program.

Barilla is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Barilla America strives to make https://jobs.barillagroup.com/ accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance complete the application process, please contact accommodations@barilla.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Research & Development

United States

Northbrook, IL

Permanent