Manager R&D & Product Development

Trivium Packaging is a global sustainability leader in metal packaging with more than 60 locations worldwide, nearly 8,000 employees, and an annual revenue of approximately €3.0 billion. Trivium serves a diverse range of customers in a variety of end markets such as food, seafood, pet food, nutrition, beauty and personal care, household care, and premium beverages.

 

Trivium wants to shape the industry and has embarked on an ambitious transformation journey. In the near term, focus is on building & upskilling the team, deciding where to play & how to win, and increasing financial performance by executing the Trivium Business System (commercial, operational, and supply chain excellence). Sustainability is embedded in our materials and in our actions. Trivium has ambitious sustainability targets and focuses exclusively on products that are infinitely recyclable. Our company sustainability journey has been awarded with a Platinum medal by EcoVadis, the world’s leading rating agent who allocated this award only to the top 1% of the >75000 companies reviewed. Sustainability is embedded in each and every function at Trivium, it‘s in our DNA. The global head office is at Amsterdam Airport; however, many people work in virtual teams from different countries. Our culture is results-driven, entrepreneurial, informal, and highly multicultural. Our people have a high degree of responsibility.

 

 

Job Summary: 

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Senior R&D Manager to lead research and development efforts for our metal food can product lines. This individual will drive innovation in can design, materials, coatings, and manufacturing processes to meet evolving customer, regulatory, and sustainability requirements. The role is central to our mission of delivering high-quality, safe, and cost-effective packaging solutions to the food industry.

 

Job Duties: 

• Lead and manage R&D initiatives focused on the development and optimization of metal food cans, including 2-piece and 3-piece configurations.

• Innovate in areas such as can geometry, metal thinning, coatings, seaming, and double seam integrity.

• Drive improvements in material usage, corrosion resistance, and line efficiency while maintaining food safety compliance.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, quality, commercial, and supply chain to bring concepts from lab to plant and address customer-specific quality requirements based on product type.

• Evaluate and implement new materials (e.g., coatings, laminate) in compliance with food safety regulations (FDA).

• Partner with a technical team of engineers and technicians in lab testing, pilot trials, and data analysis.

• Interface with customers to understand application needs, co-develop custom packaging solutions, and address quality standards to present industry-leading, customized solutions (where applicable).

• Support sustainability goals through lightweighting, recyclability, and reduction of hazardous substances.

• Maintain awareness of industry trends, competitive technologies, and regulatory developments.

• Generate technical documentation, project reports, and support intellectual property efforts.

• Coordinate customer/supplier quality complaints and technical reviews.
• Directs the key departmental top line growth projects through all phases from idea conception to commercialization in line with the annual business plan.
• Support product testing initiatives, both internal and in support of customers.
• Evaluate feasibility of changes to coating and steel in accordance with increasi