Section Manager, R&D Packaging Innovation 

Working at Abbott

Our nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, and Glucerna® – to help them get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest lives.

**Please note there is no relocation assistance being offered**

 Primary Function 

The Section Manager, R&D Packaging Innovation leads a team of packaging engineers through the full innovation lifecycle—from ideation and feasibility through NPD execution, qualification, and commercial launch—across Abbott Nutrition’s powder and liquid nutrition portfolio. This role operates at the intersection of technical depth and organizational leadership: translating strategic direction into executable plans, developing team capability, and ensuring packaging programs advance with the rigor and pace the business requires. 

Major Responsibilities 

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of packaging engineers setting expectations, managing performance, and building capability across materials, process, and program disciplines. 

• Partner with leadership on workforce planning and talent acquisition to ensure the section is staffed against current and future program demands. 

• Own engineering execution across the packaging innovation and NPD portfolio from pre-NPD feasibility through commercial qualification, spanning powder, liquid, retort, aseptic, and ambient platforms. 

• Lead feasibility and design development activities, ensuring programs advance with well-defined scope, clear success criteria, and sound technical risk management. 

• Direct external supplier and engineering partner engagements SOW development, technical governance, and deliverable accountability. 

• Bring forward clear go/no-go recommendations at program gates, supported by data, cost estimates, and risk assessment. 

• Serve as the primary R&D Packaging interface for Manufacturing, Procurement, Sterilization, Quality, and Regulatory Affairs. 

• Represent the packaging engineering function in senior program reviews, capital planning discussions, and cross-divisional forums. 

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline required; Master’s preferred. 

Experience 

• 10+ years of progressive R&D packaging experience across materials, structures, and manufacturing processes in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or nutritional products. 

• 3+ years of direct people management or engineering team leadership. 

• Demonstrated track record managing packaging programs from concept through commercial qualification in a regulated environment. 

Accountability, Scope & Competencies 

This role operates with significant autonomy receiving direction as objectives, not methods. The Section Manager develops execution plans, navigates ambiguity, and escalates decisions with strategic, regulatory, or capital significance. Core accountabilities span technical quality and compliance of team deliverables, portfolio execution, capital estimate integrity, and section talent development. 

Successful candidates will bring: 

• Deep knowledge of packaging materials and structures (rigid plastics, flexible packaging, closure systems) and processing-specific requirements (retort, aseptic, hot-fill). 

• Working knowledge of molding technologies (injection, EBM/ISBM), tooling, and packaging line qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) in regulated manufacturing. 

• Analytical capability: DOE, SPC, and process capability analysis applied to packaging development decisions. 

• Proven leadership in a matrixed organization able to manage a complex program portfolio, make sound decisions under uncertainty, and hold a team accountable. 

• Credible at all levels: translates technical complexity into business-relevant insight for senior leadership and cross-functional partners; builds trust inside and outside the organization.