Associate Packaging Engineer

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At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

Lactalis USA, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Associate Packaging Engineer based in Buffalo, New York. Working closely with Marketing, R&D, Plants, Quality, Engineering, and Purchasing teams, the Associate Packaging Engineer is responsible for developing, evaluating, and implementing packaging solutions that support new product launches, business continuity, operational efficiency, and sustainability objectives. The role provides technical expertise in package design, material selection, performance testing, and manufacturing implementation.

The Associate Packaging Engineer collaborates with internal and external partners to standardize packaging systems where appropriate, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure packaging solutions meet business, regulatory, quality, and operational requirements. Frequent travel to manufacturing facilities and supplier locations is required.

• Work on cross-functional teams (Marketing, R&D, Quality, Plants, Engineering and Purchasing) to develop, design, test and make packaging recommendations for new and existing (line extensions) products
• Develop, revise, and maintain packaging die lines, pallet configurations, and related technical documentation to ensure accuracy and manufacturing readiness. May require use of computer systems (AUTOCAD / CAPE / TOPS) to complete the process.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement packaging and process improvements that deliver cost savings while maintaining product quality, performance, and operational efficiency.
• General knowledge of packaging machinery, material handling, and automation that relates to Packaging.
• Lead manufacturing trials, collect data, and provide technical recommendations based on trial results.
• Support manufacturing sites in addressing packaging performance, material, and supply-related challenges to ensure operational efficiency and product quality.
• Source and investigate new innovative ideas throughout the industry to inform Marketing and plants of the newest innovations that may benefit our product lines. This process can be done through publications, shows, networking with Suppliers, product…