Senior Packaging Engineer - R&D

Overview

Sazerac Company Overview

Build your career at Sazerac! With almost 400 years of rich history, Sazerac Company has thrived as an independent, American family-owned company with operations in the United States and around the world. Since the 2000s, Sazerac has averaged double digit growth every year! Sazerac Company produces and markets the most award-winning bourbons and whiskeys in the world, including Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, and Sazerac Rye.

Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits, including Fireball, Southern Comfort, Seagram’s V.O., Myers’s, Goldschläger, Parrot Bay, 99 Brand, and Platinum Vodka.

We’re proud of our award-winning culture and distilleries. Our Louisville office has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” four times, and our Buffalo Trace Distillery has earned the title of “world’s most award-winning distillery” through the dedication of our craftsmen for well over 200 years. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, Sazerac provides extraordinary opportunities for growth with competitive salaries and benefits in an exciting, entrepreneurial industry.

Job Description/Responsibilities

The Senior Packaging Engineer supports packaging component and assembly processes through design, specification, control, and testing within manufacturing and conversion operations to ensure packaging is fit for purpose. This role serves as a technical expert in field-based materials development testing and leads producer and plant trials prior to product commissioning. The Senior Packaging Engineer independently manages complex projects and provides technical leadership in packaging innovation and optimization.

• Lead and execute field testing activities to ensure successful project outcomes; maintain complete and accurate packaging testing records.
• Perform due diligence on new designs to evaluate packaging fitness for purpose and resilience, including assessment of:
• Graphics and color
• Legal and regulatory compliance
• Mechanical performance
• Functional specifications and approvals
• Ensure adherence to all Personal Safety, Food Safety, Quality, and Environmental policies and practices.
• Complete new and revised packaging structural assessments to meet project timelines.
• Partner with local plant teams to identify and implement design improvements that optimize packaging performance.
• Participate in the design and development of new and revised packaging solutions.
• Develop and maintain packaging and material standards to ensure consistency across operations.
• Ensure clear, thorough, and functional communication of packaging processes and requirements.
• Identify packaging improvements and emerging technologies that reduce both carbon footprint and cost.
• Support Procurement with qualification testing of new packaging materials and suppliers.
• Coordinate testing activities with plant teams.
• Develop and document testing protocols and data management procedures.
• In collaboration with internal Quality teams:
  • Complete assessments and maintain approval records
  • Manage packaging component specifications, application data, and finished goods specifications
• Determine machine setup and tooling requirements for packaging components.
• Support processes to ensure packaging supplies meet FDA and regulatory agency requirements.
• Maintain a digital database of all components that contact the product, including bottles and caps.
• Monitor and evaluate current and future packaging trends and regulatory changes.
• Partner with manager to develop a prioritized Performance Development System (PDS) plan with measurable outcomes.
• Communicate career goals and actively participate in the creation and execution of a career development plan.

Must Have

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and technical problem-solving skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Preferred

• APICS or Six Sigma…