Packaging Engineer

Packaging Engineer

Our client, a leading consumer products company, is looking for a Packaging Engineer to support its growing R&D Innovation team. This individual will be responsible for driving packaging development projects from concept through validation and commercial implementation, ensuring packaging solutions meet technical, functional, quality, legal, and customer requirements. The Packaging Engineer will partner closely with internal stakeholders across R&D, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Operations, as well as external suppliers, to deliver innovative, cost-effective, and high-performing packaging solutions. This is a newly created, growth-driven contract opportunity through 2027, with budgeted approval for a permanent hire in 2028. Reporting to the global VP of Packaging and R&D Innovation, this role requires a self-motivated professional who can independently manage projects and build strong cross-functional relationships.

Packaging Engineer Responsibilities:

• Lead the technical project management and delivery of assigned packaging development projects in alignment with the packaging roadmap and innovation strategy.
• Drive continuous improvement (CI), value engineering, and cost optimization initiatives to improve packaging performance and efficiency.
• Research emerging packaging technologies, materials, and market trends to identify opportunities for innovation and support the overall packaging strategy.
• Translate customer, consumer, and internal stakeholder requirements into effective packaging designs, technical specifications, and measurable quality attributes.
• Develop, maintain, and validate packaging specifications that meet performance requirements and are suitable for volume manufacturing.
• Collaborate proactively with packaging suppliers to optimize performance, resolve technical issues, and prevent recurring problems with existing packaging solutions.
• Develop design validation plans and coordinate testing, trials, and validation activities with cross-functional partners and suppliers.
• Support the introduction and commercialization of new packaging products, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Provide technical expertise in packaging materials, data analysis, troubleshooting, and problem-solving to support the broader organization.
• Analyze statistical and technical data to evaluate packaging and process performance, identify trends, and inform technical decisions.
• Partner with R&D, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, and third-party manufacturing partners to execute projects successfully.
• Interpret technical drawings and collaborate on packaging design development, leveraging CAD tools and other relevant design software as needed.
• Balance technical feasibility, packaging quality, consumer expectations, and commercial objectives throughout the development process.
• Manage projects through structured stage-gate product development processes, ensuring milestones, validation requirements, and deliverables are achieved.

Packaging Engineer Requirements:

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Packaging Technology, Materials Science, Engineering, Product Design, Food Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Proven experience in packaging development and technical project management within a food, pharmaceutical, or consumer goods environment.
• Demonstrated experience introducing, testing, and validating new packaging products and manufacturing processes.
• Strong working knowledge of rigid and flexible packaging formats, including tubs, pots, fiber-based packaging, films, and associated materials and manufacturing processes.
• Experience managing packaging projects through development, validation, production trials, and commercial implementation.
• Ability to develop and maintain technical packaging specifications suitable for manufacturing and volume production.
• Experience working through structured stage-gate product development processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and deliver complex technical projects involving cross-functional teams and external suppliers.
• Strong understanding of continuous improvement, value engineering, cost optimization, and packaging performance improvement.
• Experience using statistical data analysis tools to assess product and process performance and support data-driven decisions.
• Ability to interpret and create technical drawings; 3D CAD experience or familiarity with packaging design software is preferred.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify, investigate, and resolve technical packaging issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across internal teams, suppliers, and external manufacturing partners.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance technical requirements, customer needs, quality standards, and business objectives.
• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently, taking ownership of projects, and driving deliverables in a globally distributed organization.
• Ability to stay current on packaging trends, new technologies, and evolving customer and consumer needs.