School Director-Management

Position Summary

Job Responsibilities

The Director of the School of Packaging provides facilitative leadership to the School in all teaching research and outreach programs and is expected to maintain and enhance a creative and productive environment for faculty staff and students. The Director serves as the principal representative of the School with authority and responsibility for administrative decisions. The Director reports directly to the Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and interacts with the leadership of other disciplinary units on campus.

Key responsibilities of the Director include:

Provide transformational leadership while sustaining an environment of high performance scholarship and innovation to meet societal scientific and industry needs and promote national and international prominence of the School;

Collaborate with faculty academic partners industry and alumni to identify existing and emerging global opportunities and develop strategic short- and long-term plans for schools enhancement;

Recruit outstanding diverse faculty staff and students assign responsibilities evaluate performance and promote faculty student and staff development;

Execute exemplary leadership philosophy to instill a sense of community wherein each member will thrive by fostering a culture of inclusion creativity collaboration achievement and mentoring;

Manage and enhance fiscal physical and human resources to meet unit goals and objectives;

The Director will leverage their career experiences to enhance the ongoing capital campaign to create funding opportunities for new faculty to join the School and update the Schools teaching and research facilities under the Packaging 2.0 expansion initiative;

Create foster and enhance current and new stakeholder relationships including alumni industry governmental agencies NGOs around the world as well as disciplinary and interdisciplinary groups to continue to advance the mission and vision of the school;

Effectively communicate with media about issues relevant to the packaging industry and market the importance of packaging education and research programs to stakeholders.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin citizenship age disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Packaging Engineering Food Science Business

Minimum Requirements

A doctorate in packaging or a closely related discipline (e.g. engineering material science natural sciences food science business or education)

Desired Qualifications

Required Application Materials

Applicants for the position of Director are requested to submit:

1) a cover letter outlining your interest in the position and your motivation to lead the SoP highlighting your relevant experience leadership philosophy and commitment to inclusive decision-making

2) an up-to-date CV

3) a one-page statement that describes of how you will contribute to CANRs positive culture fair access to resources and creating a sense of belonging

4) ) a one-page statement that describes your strategic approach to leading the SoP for the next five years including your leadership philosophy

5) names and contact information of three references who are familiar with your work experience and leadership skills.

Special Instructions

Review of the applications will begin October 20 2025 and the search will remain open until the position is filled. The position is a full-time 12-month appointment. The expected start date is March 2026 or as negotiated.

For more information on this position please contact the Search Committee Co-Chairs:

Rafael Auras Ph.D. (he/him/his)

Professor Amcor Endowed Chair in Packaging Sustainability

School of Packaging

Michigan State University

448 Wilson Rd. Room 157 East Lansing MI USA 48824

O:

Jun-Hyun Kim Ph.D. ASLA (he/him/his)

Professor and Director

School of Planning Design & Construction

Michigan State University

552 W Circle Dr. Rm 101B East Lansing MI 48824

O:

Review of Applications Begins On

10/20/2025

Website

Department Statement

Packaging the third-largest global industry is expected to reach $1.42 trillion by 2028. The impact of this market on the global economy continues to demand highly trained professionals and scientific research that produce innovative and sustainable solutions to support economic growth worldwide. The School of Packaging (SoP) at Michigan State University (MSU) rated #1 by College Factual in 2025 has been creating knowledge and awarding degrees in the science and technology of packaging since 1952. As the pioneer of the packaging discipline and the sole packaging Ph.D. degree-granting institution in the United States the MSU SoP has been preparing educational leaders for the packaging discipline worldwide resulting in an uncontestable reputation and the creation of a community for excellent research and education for all. Packaging is an interdisciplinary field integrating science engineering technology and management to protect and identify products for distribution storage sale and use. It encompasses the process of design evaluation and production of packages. It is a system integral to the value chain that impacts product quality user satisfaction distribution efficiencies and safety. The MSU SoP through its educational research and outreach programs contributes to the economic development and quality of life of citizens within the State of Michigan and globally through highly relevant educational experiences and cutting-edge research. Looking ahead the School plans to strategically invest in growth by adding faculty and beginning to draw on the approved Century Bond funding to support key academic and infrastructure initiatives. To continue leading the packaging industry and academic fields the MSU SoP invites applications and nominations for the position of Director.

Required Experience:

Director