Global R&D Healthcare Director

The Global R&D Healthcare Leader is a senior strategic role responsible for shaping Amcor’s global healthcare innovation agenda and ensuring the delivery of safe, compliant, and high-performing packaging solutions for medical, pharmaceutical, and life-science customers worldwide. This role defines and executes a global R&D strategy that integrates advanced material science, regulatory rigor, sustainability, and customer-driven innovation across a multi-site organization spanning 4+ countries.
Reporting to the Global VP, Rigid Packaging Solutions, this leader oversees a diverse global R&D and technical expert team, governing the healthcare innovation portfolio and driving the development of next-generation sterile barrier systems, medical device packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, and other mission-critical solutions. The role ensures full compliance with applicable standards (ISO 11607, ISO 13485, FDA, EU MDR/IVDR) and strengthens Amcor’s position as a trusted partner to top global healthcare brands.
The position serves as a key voice within Amcor’s global R&D leadership team, influencing portfolio decisions, innovation governance, long-term technology investments, customer strategy, and sustainability pathways aligned with Science Based Targets. The leader fosters a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement while championing patient safety and shaping Amcor’s global healthcare R&D capabilities for the future.
About the team:
The Amcor R&D organization is a global network of innovative leaders committed to shaping the future of packaging. The team collaborates across multiple geographies and disciplines to deliver profitable growth, customer-focused solutions, and industry leadership.
Their focus spans three strategic pillars:
1. Sustainability: Lead in sustainable packaging solutions, setting industry benchmarks for circularity and environmental stewardship. Targets for market of application include 30% circular sales by 2030 and GHG net zero by 2050, supported by Science Based Targets initiative-approved goals.
2. Product Innovation: Advance packaging science and design to meet evolving customer needs across the different sectors of application. Focus on driving technology development, lightweighting, and high-barrier solutions.
3. Cost Innovation: Optimize cost structures through material efficiency, process technology, and supporting SKU rationalization lead by PLM —while maintaining agility and performance. Initiatives include pipeline effectiveness reviews and integration between Rigids and Flexibles for efficiency gains.
Key Responsibilities/Accountability:
• Lead the global Healthcare R&D Development and Expert Center, setting strategic direction and ensuring breakthrough, compliant innovation aligned with Amcor’s healthcare roadmap and sustainability ambitions.
• Co-define and govern the One Amcor Healthcare R&D strategy, strengthening global technical excellence and differentiated value across medical and pharmaceutical markets.
• Build executive-level partnerships with key healthcare customers, identifying and driving portfolio-expanding, patient-centric innovation opportunities.
• Sponsor and oversee mission-critical global healthcare programs—including sterile barrier systems and medical/pharma packaging platforms—ensuring timely, high-quality, and regulation-ready delivery.
• Serve as a senior member of the Global R&D Leadership Team, influencing innovation governance, long-term technology investments, and strategic decision-making.
• Activate global collaboration with R&D Global structures, leveraging shared capabilities and advanced material science to accelerate development and scale impact.
• Guide multi-year capability, talent, and organizational development plans, ensuring future-ready expertise, strong succession pipelines, and optimal resource deployment.
• Lead healthcare R&D portfolio execution, including platform creation, material qualifications, and industrial feasibility in regulated medical manufacturing environments.
• Shape business continuity and supply security strategies in partnership with cross-functional and commercial leaders for strategic healthcare customers.
• Represent R&D in high-stakes technical, regulatory, and customer forums, delivering compelling technical insights, validation documentation, and innovation proposals.
Key performance indicators:
• % Strategic R&D Programs Delivered OTIF
• Time-to-Market Reduction for Priority Platforms
• Innovation Revenue % (Products <3 Years)
• Regulatory & Quality Compliance Score (Audit + Validation)
• Healthcare Customer Satisfaction / Innovation NPS
• Portfolio Sustainability Alignment %
• Cost Savings / Margin Impact from R&D
• Employee Engagement & Leadership Effectiveness
• Succession Strength for Critical Technical Roles
• R&D Budget & Resource Efficiency Compliance
Know How:
• Technical/Professional Knowledge: Strong knowledge of industrial processes, technology and qualification principles.
• Proven track record of leading successful R&D projects.
• Industry/Regulatory Knowledge: Experience in Healthcare is essential; Homecare, Food, Beverage, Beauty, or Wellness sectors is highly desirable.
• Interpersonal/Managerial Skills: Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Proven ability to manage high-performing teams. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Lean/CI/Six Sigma/PM Expertise Demonstrated experience managing complex R&D projects (implicit project management capability).
• Education & Experience: Advanced technical degree in a relevant field (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Biotechnology). Minimum of 15 years of experience in R&D, including at least 5 years in managerial role.
About Amcor: Amcor is the global leader in developing and producing responsible consumer packaging and dispensing solutions across a variety of materials for nutrition, health, beauty and wellness categories. Our global product innovation and sustainability expertise enables us to solve packaging challenges around the world every day, producing a range of flexible packaging, rigid packaging, cartons and closures that are more sustainable, functional and appealing for our customers and their consumers. We are guided by our purpose of elevating customers, shaping lives and protecting the future. Supported by a commitment to
safety, over 75,000 people generate $23 billion in annualized sales from operations that span over 400 locations in more than 40 countries. NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC www.amcor.com | LinkedIn | YouTube