Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation

Overview

Job Description: Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are looking for a Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation to join our rapidly growing company. Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food maker with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. Founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN and ACANA brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry across three major geographic regions.

We are seeking individuals passionate about personal and professional growth who can contribute to our continued success as an award-winning company.

The Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation is responsible for the technical leadership of the packaging innovation program at Champion Petfoods. This role reports to the Global Director, Technical Innovation and Development and collaborates cross-functionally with Research & Innovation (R&I), Marketing and Operations to ensure packaging objectives are achieved. As the departmental subject matter expert for packaging innovation and capability, the Senior Manager Packaging Innovation provides technical leadership, guidance, and expertise across product development and operational teams.

The role advances packaging initiatives by bringing insights and trends into packaging strategy, including consumer trends, materials and technologies. Success is measured by meeting or exceeding packaging performance targets, delivering projects on established timelines, and generating actionable learnings that support scale-up and commercialization of products. This position can be based out of Acheson, Alberta or Nashville, Tennessee and works closely with internal teams and third-party packaging suppliers.

• Drive an innovative mindset across all packaging functions, collaborating with marketing and operations to bring concepts to market.

• Support the development and delivery of the packaging innovation pipeline.

• Build and maintain external relationships with 3rd party packaging suppliers, external co-manufacturers and other packaging organizations as needed.

• Develop packaging risk assessments and lead identification of risks/hazards for each packaging type.

• Oversee packaging specification development and execution across Champion’s product portfolio.

• Manage and execute compliance testing, regulations and documentation for all packaging projects.

• Aid Supply Team in packaging supplier validation and quality management.

• Standardize and integrate critical packaging processes, including the development sequence, technical packaging approval process, and implementation.

• Data entry as required.

• Plan and manage resources to meet schedules and coordinate departmental functions in the absence of the Managers.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the Company’s policies and practices regarding health, safety, and the environment, including commitment to personal compliance with same.

• Perform other tasks as required or assigned.

• Occasional travel required.

• Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in related field (Packaging, Engineering, Chemistry). Advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum of 8 years’ experience working on packaging projects, materials, and manufacturing.

• Knowledge of food packaging fundamentals and application to product development and food processing.

• Technical leadership and strong project management experience, proven for complex initiatives.

• Ability to understand the business strategy and work within sometimes ambiguous environments.

• Experience interacting with others with diplomacy and professionalism.

• Proven ability to drive large-scale and complex initiatives and packaging programs from concept through qualification and influence without authority.

• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and with external suppliers.

• Ability to lift 25 kg / 50 lb.

• Detail-oriented with ability to review documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with SOPs and GMP.

• Uses discretion and judgment in handling confidential, proprietary, or sensitive information.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills; fluent in English.

• Computer proficiency with MS Office programs.

• PPE may be required for some…