Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation

Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation

Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce 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 would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing 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 works cross-functionally with Research & Innovation (R&I), Marketing and Operations to ensure all 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 Senior Manager Packaging Innovation plays a key role in the investigation and advancement of packaging initiatives by bringing insights and trends into packaging strategy including relevant consumer trends, materials and technologies.

Success in this role 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 provides both oversight and hands-on technical leadership across multiple aspects of packaging innovation, including operational improvements, process optimization, and new packaging evaluation. The Senior Manager Packaging Innovation can be based out of the Acheson, Alberta or Nashville, Tennessee and works closely with internal teams and third-party packaging suppliers.

What a typical day looks like:

• Drive an innovative mindset across all packaging functions, while working with key internal business partners in marketing, and operations to ensure innovative concepts are delivered to market.
• Support the development and delivery of the packaging innovation pipeline
• Help to build and maintain external relationships to support and deliver packaging innovations 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
• Responsible for 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 process, including but not limited to sequence for development, technical packaging approval process and implementation.
• Data entry as required.
• Accurate & efficient planning and management of resources to meet schedules and coordinate departmental functions in the absence of the Managers.
• Demonstration of 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.

What are we looking for?

• Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in related field (Packaging, Engineering, Chemistry, etc.). Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years' experience working on packaging projects, materials, and manufacturing.
• Knowledge of food packaging fundamentals and application to the product development and food processing.
• Technical leadership and strong Project Management, proven for complex initiatives and
• Ability to understand the business strategy and work within sometimes ambiguous
• Experience in interacting with other individuals always demonstrating diplomacy and professionalism.
• Proven ability to drive large scale & complex initiatives, complex packaging programs from
• concept through qualification and to influence without authority.
• Ability to work effectively in cross functional teams and with external suppliers
• Ability to lift 25kg/50lb.
• Detail-oriented, with a good ability to review documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance to SOPs and GMP.
• Uses discretion and judgment in handling confidential, proprietary, or sensitive information.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Computer proficiency with MS Office programs.
• PPE may be required for some locations where this position is regularly required to work.
• Some extended hours and travel may be required.
• Established industry relationships and strong knowledge in the areas of material science

What can you expect from Champion?

• Safety: a strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.
• Earnings: Competitive Wages that give financial peace of mind, RRSP with Company, and donation matching.
• Industry Competitive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision and Employee Assistance Programs to meet your individual or family needs.
• Continuing Education: In House & Online Learning & Development, as well as an Education Assistance Program.
• Quality: a dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.
• Other Perks: Free Bag of Premium Pet Food each month, Free Parking and more!

Join the pack!

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.