Packaging Engineer

Packaging Engineer

This role focuses on developing, qualifying, and optimizing food packaging solutions that balance sustainability, performance, and cost while supporting large-scale consumer packaged goods operations. The Packaging Engineer leads material qualifications, supports packaging equipment and process optimization, and ensures that packaging designs meet technical, regulatory, and quality requirements from concept through commercialization. The position works closely with cross-functional teams to deliver packaging initiatives that improve transit efficiency, protect product quality, and enhance consumer experience across a broad portfolio of brands.

Responsibilities:

• Lead material qualification activities for flexible films, semi-rigid polymer trays, closures, paperboard, corrugate, and related packaging substrates.
• Develop and optimize food packaging materials with a focus on sustainability, mechanical strength, coefficient of friction, additives, certifications, and barrier properties.
• Support and optimize food packaging equipment, including horizontal flow wrappers, vertical baggers, denesters, conveyors, cartoners, and case packing systems.
• Design packaging for efficient transit and distribution, ensuring product protection, palletization efficiency, and cost-effective logistics.
• Plan and execute design of experiments, sampling plans, and statistical analyses to evaluate packaging performance and process capability.
• Develop and implement transit testing protocols and interpret results to refine packaging designs and specifications.
• Create, manage, and execute technical plant trial protocols at pilot plants, OEM facilities, and manufacturing sites, including preparation, on-site leadership, and post-trial reporting.
• Prepare clear technical documentation, including trial reports, specifications, and packaging standards, and ensure all documentation is complete and up to date.
• Obtain, organize, and maintain information in product lifecycle management systems to eliminate gaps in packaging documentation.
• Manage graphics approval processes using appropriate software tools, ensuring accuracy of artwork, die lines, and packaging layouts.
• Use product lifecycle management software such as SAP PLM or similar systems to manage packaging data, specifications, and change control.
• Collaborate effectively on cross-functional teams, partnering with R&D, operations, procurement, quality, marketing, and supply chain to deliver packaging initiatives.
• Work independently under the guidance of a manager to plan, prioritize, and deliver multiple projects and tasks within agreed timelines.
• Communicate effectively in verbal and written form, including technical reports, specifications, and non-technical business communications for stakeholders at all levels.
• Influence senior and cross-functional stakeholders by presenting data-driven recommendations and clear technical rationales.
• Apply critical thinking to proactively identify packaging-related issues, develop practical solutions, and drive implementation.
• Interpret and analyze experimental and operational data using fundamental technical principles to reach clear, actionable conclusions.
• Support the development, trials, and commercialization of new and existing packaging initiatives from concept through launch.
• Manage projects within cross-functional teams, including planning, scheduling, risk assessment, and progress tracking.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of packaging processes, specifications, and tools, including specification management systems such as SAP, PLM, or CAPE Pack.

Essential

Skills:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Packaging Science, Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• 4+ years of experience in consumer packaged goods (CPG) packaging, with a strong preference for experience in food packaging.
• Hands-on experience with flexible, rigid, paperboard, and corrugated packaging materials.
• Demonstrated experience in development, trials, and commercialization of packaging initiatives in a manufacturing or CPG environment.
• Proficiency in material qualification for packaging, including flexible films, semi-rigid trays, closures, and related substrates.
• Knowledge of food packaging materials, including sustainability considerations, strength, coefficient of friction, additives, certifications, and barrier properties.
• Experience working with food packaging equipment such as horizontal flow wrappers, vertical baggers, denesters, conveyors, cartoners, and case packing equipment.
• Experience with technical scoping of packaging projects and defining clear requirements and success criteria.
• Proficiency with specification management systems such as SAP, PLM platforms, or CAPE Pack.
• Experience creating and managing technical specifications, including die lines, artwork processes, and mockups.
• Strong planning and project management abilities, including managing multiple priorities and timelines.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills applied to packaging materials, equipment,…