Packaging Engineering Manager

Manager, Packaging Engineering

Our client is seeking a Manager, Packaging Engineering to lead and develop a team of Packaging Engineers while driving the design, development, testing, and commercialization of packaging solutions across a diverse confection and fruit snack portfolio. This role provides strategic and technical leadership across packaging innovation, sustainability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, partnering closely with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Marketing, and external suppliers. The ideal candidate is a strong technical and people leader with experience in packaging engineering, packaging development, or a related field within food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or a similar fast-paced environment. This individual should be comfortable balancing team leadership and strategic planning with hands-on technical problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Packaging Engineers, fostering a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Set team priorities, manage workloads, and provide strategic direction for packaging development and commercialization activities.
• Oversee the design, testing, qualification, and implementation of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions.
• Partner cross-functionally with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Marketing, and external suppliers to support new product launches and packaging innovation.
• Drive packaging innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and consumer experience.
• Identify and evaluate new packaging technologies, materials, and supplier capabilities to support business objectives.
• Provide technical expertise and recommendations to leadership and key stakeholders on packaging-related opportunities and challenges.
• Support packaging development and commercialization activities from concept through implementation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve packaging-related technical and manufacturing challenges.
• Ensure packaging solutions meet consumer, business, quality, and manufacturing requirements.
• Utilize SAP and PLM systems to support packaging development and commercialization activities.
• Manage team performance, development, and resource allocation to ensure successful execution of packaging initiatives.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in packaging engineering, packaging development, or a related field.
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing technical teams.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, testing methods, and commercialization activities.
• Experience working in a food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or similar fast-paced environment preferred.
• Experience with SAP and PLM systems.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Strong technical problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and effectively communicate recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of packaging innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement principles.

Work Environment:

• Primarily onsite in Chicago, IL, due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of the role.
• In-person attendance is expected for most of the workweek, generally 3 or more days per week, to support effective communication, team supervision, real-time problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration.

Compensation: $102,075-$142,905 annually Bonus: Eligible to earn an annual bonus based on company performance Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and financial wellness benefits and paid time off (PTO)

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