Innovation Head

Role: Innovation Lead

About Pakka Limited

• At Pakka Ltd, we are committed to sustainable innovation,
• creating eco-friendly packaging solutions that align with the needs of modern
• businesses. With over 40 years of manufacturing excellence and a strong R&D
• foundation, we have been revolutionizing three major segments: Wrap &
• Carry, Food Services and Flexible Packaging. Join us to shape the future of
• packaging and make a meaningful impact.
• Mission of the Role
• Lead Pakka’s Innovation and Business Centre to replace
• plastic at scale while building profitable revenue. Own the centre’s business
• performance, funding, innovation portfolio and strategic partnerships; connect
• scientific innovation with customer adoption, commercial scale-up and
• measurable environmental impact. Advance Pakka’s mission to revolutionise food
• packaging solutions for a cleaner planet.

Key Responsibilities

• 1.Own the centre’s P&L, funding strategy,
• financial planning and commercial performance, ensuring that tonnes of plastic
• replaced grow alongside revenue and profitability.
• 2.Set the innovation and business roadmap across
• rigid food-service packaging, flexible packaging and waste valorisation,
• selecting projects that meet Pakka’s mission filter: home-compostable or
• paper-stream-recyclable solutions.
• 3.Allocate budgets, people and resources across
• the Customer, Science, Commercialization, Proof, Ecosystem and establish clear
• decision rights, project gates, priorities and performance reviews.
• 4.Build and convert anchor customer relationships
• and global partnerships with brands, QSRs, converters, manufacturers and
• technology providers; translate customer needs into viable innovation and
• licensing opportunities.
• 5.Lead commercialisation and licensing strategy,
• including final licence terms, supply partnerships, tiered royalties and cost-down
• pathways that improve competitiveness with conventional plastics.
• 6.Provide strategic technical direction through
• strong understanding of cellulose chemistry, material science, formulations,
• manufacturing processes and application requirements, enabling
• cross-disciplinary problem-solving.
• 7.Drive disciplined innovation lifecycle
• management from concept and minimum viable product through testing, customer
• trials, pilot validation and scale-up; ensure timely delivery, cost control and
• corrective action.
• 8.Use emerging technologies, simulation, data
• analytics and AI-enabled approaches to evaluate options, improve formulations,
• strengthen process performance and reduce ecological impact.
• 9.Build partnerships with research institutes,
• universities, certification bodies, startups and suppliers; protect an open
• research and startup budget of 10–15% of centre income in line with the
• proposed operating guardrails.
• 10.Establish systems for intellectual property
• creation and protection covering formulations, designs and processes; oversee
• external validation, certification and relevant regulatory and sustainability
• requirements.
• 11.Build a high-performing, multidisciplinary team
• and a culture of ownership, independent decisions, experimentation,
• competency-based development and accountability for outcomes.

Materials Science / Fiber

Science / Polymer Science

Chemical Engineering /

Pulp & Paper Technology

Sustainable Packaging /

Industrial Biotechnology / Green Chemistry

• Related disciplines with
• strong R&D focus
• A postgraduate
• qualification in a relevant technical or business discipline is
• advantageous.

Experience

• ·Business Leadership: 15–20 years of
• experience in specialty chemicals, paper, packaging or related industries,
• including 5+ years in business leadership with P&L responsibility,
• financial management and commercialization.
• ·Technical & Innovation Expertise: Strong knowledge of cellulose chemistry, biomaterials, manufacturing processes,
• product development, technology scale-up, IP management and innovation
• strategy.
• ·Global Exposure & Partnerships: Proven experience working with international customers, technology partners and
• research institutions, including participation in global conferences,
• exhibitions and industry events to drive collaborations and business opportunities.
• ·Strategic Thinking: Expertise in
• technology scouting, digital tools, AI applications, data-driven
• decision-making and developing commercially viable sustainable solutions.
• ·Leadership & Collaboration: Proven
• ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage budgets, develop strategic
• partnerships and drive cross-functional innovation programs.

Success Measures

• Tonnes of plastic replaced; profitable revenue and centre
• profitability; number of customers converted; delivery of commercial
• innovations; and progress in cost competitiveness and impact.

Long-Term Outcomes

• (2030 Ambitions in Role Profile)
• ·Create rigid ready-to-eat meal packaging
• solutions supporting sales of over 200,000 tonnes per year.
• ·Build effective flexible packaging solutions for
• snacks and confectionery supporting sales of over 300,000 tonnes per yr
• ·Achieve process excellence with valorisation of
• all solid waste and zero liquid discharge.

What We Offer

• This role offers the opportunity to shape Pakka’s
• sustainable packaging innovation agenda, build a multidisciplinary business and
• science ecosystem, and translate new materials and technologies into measurable
• environmental and commercial impact. The position offers leadership scope,
• collaboration with global partners and opportunities for professional growth.
• Compensation and benefits will be discussed during the hiring process.

To Apply

• If you are passionate about leading innovation that replaces
• plastic at scale while building a sustainable, profitable business, send your
• CV and cover letter to [email protected].
• Join us to shape the future of sustainable packaging!