Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Posted: 20-Sep-25
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Type: Full-time
Internal Number: 1082263
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 school’s 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 School’s 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
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A documented record of scholarship, leadership, team building, and organizational management;
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Experience in or strong connection to the packaging industry;
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An appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of packaging and its core missions of teaching, research, innovation, and outreach;
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Proven experience in strategic planning and execution to advance organizational goals and institutional reputation;
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Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills;
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A demonstrated ability to promote the MSU SoP and increase its national and international prominence.
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 CANR’s 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: (517) 432-3254 |?aurasraf@msu.edu
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: (517) 432-0704 |?junhkim@msu.edu
Review of Applications Begins On
10/20/2025
Website
www.packaging.msu.edu
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.
About the School of Packaging
The School maintains an enrollment of approximately 500 undergraduate students pursuing a B.Sc. in Packaging Science, 20 on-campus M.S. students (Thesis (17) and non-Thesis (3)), 10 online M.S. students, a newly created M.S. Leadership for Professionals program (with approximately 12 students already enrolled), 24 Ph.D. students, and varying numbers of postdoctoral students and visiting scholars. The SoP supplements on-campus learning with internship and study-abroad programs, providing students with industry-based and international learning experiences. The average placement rate has consistently exceeded 90% over the past five years. The School also provides a variety of outreach activities, including both on-site and off-campus educational programs for packaging professionals. The Packaging Alumni and an Industry Advisory Board actively support the SoP.
As the only university offering a Ph.D. program in packaging, the SoP attracts students from a variety of disciplines around the world. The school is poised for significant growth to meet the rising needs of the packaging industry. Furthermore, the highly collaborative and productive faculty provides a very positive environment for professional growth and program expansion. Recognizing the need to continue to systematically advance the discipline of packaging, a strategic plan developed by the faculty has identified (i) Packaging Distribution and Value Chain, (ii) Packaging Materials and Sustainability, and (iii) Food, Health and Biomedical Packaging as three key strategic platforms that form the basis for its research, teaching and outreach missions forming a solid basis for future growth. The SoP faculty research funding portfolio includes grants from NIH, DOE, EPA, NIH, NSF, USDA-NIFA, industry, and commodities groups.
About the University
Michigan State University (MSU) is the nation’s pioneer land-grant university. It is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, and scientists that provide regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research, excellence in teaching, international engagement, and strong Extension programs that partners with diverse stakeholders to bring science-based responses to food, energy, and the environment.
MSU enjoys a park-like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the state capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of approximately 450,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA, and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual-career families, both within and outside the University. Information about MSU’s dual career support can be found at http://miwin.msu.edu/. Information about WorkLife at MSU can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.