Packaging Engineer-Food & Beverage

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, 401K, Life Insurance, Health Savings Account, Costco Membership Reimbursement and 40% off Employee Discount

About San Francisco Bay Coffee:

Established in 1979, San Francisco Bay Coffee is a third-generation, family-owned company dedicated to producing exceptional coffee with a strong focus on sustainability and quality. Roasting over 30 million pounds annually, San Francisco Bay Coffee believes that everyone involved in the coffee journey, from farmers to coffee drinkers, should benefit from the process. With a global network of more than 32,000 farmers, San Francisco Bay Coffee sources specialty-grade Arabica beans from around the world to offer a wide variety of products, including its signature OneCup pods and multiple bag sizes across various roast levels. Its products are available at leading retail locations, including club stores, regional and national grocery chains, and online. Since its inception, the company has prioritized eco-friendly farming and responsible sourcing, investing directly in the communities it partners with to preserve tradition, uplift livelihoods, and maintain its reputation for quality and expertise in the coffee industry.

Job Summary:

The Packaging Engineer will be responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing packaging solutions for roasted, ground and flavored coffee products in multiple package formats to ensure quality, freshness, and sustainability. This role involves working closely with Marketing, R&D, and Operations including production, quality assurance, and supply chain teams to design packaging solutions, solve technical packaging issues, improve packaging processes, reduce costs, and maintain compliance with food safety standards. Additionally, the role will lead and guide the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program across all participating states ensuring compliance at the lowest possible costs.

Responsibilities:

Packaging Design, Development and Testing

• Develop innovative packaging solutions that preserve coffee freshness and meet brand standards
• Design package structures for various package types including flexible films, cartons, cases, pallets and shippers
• Select appropriate materials and technologies for coffee packaging (bags, boxes, labels etc)
• Conduct package testing including ship tests to validate integrity and performance of package solutions
• Create, manage and maintain packaging specifications including materials, dimensions, die lines and performance measures
• Develop and evolve packaging program to comply with various EPR state laws

Supplier and External Partner Management

• Develop technical and operational relationships with material and package suppliers
• Work with suppliers’ R&D, technical and operational departments to develop and implement solutions to packaging issues
• Work with internal procurement, operations and suppliers on cost savings initiatives
• Track advancements in packaging/material technologies to provide innovative solutions

Process Optimization

• Improve packaging line efficiency and reduce waste.
• Implement automation and ergonomic solutions to enhance productivity
• Troubleshoot and identify root causes of packing, machinery, and efficiency issues, implementing long term corrective actions

Quality and Compliance

• Ensure packaging meets food safety regulations (FDA, FSMA) and sustainability goals
• Conduct packaging testing for durability, shelf life, and barrier properties

Cost Management

• Analyze packaging costs and identify opportunities for savings without compromising quality

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Work with marketing on packaging aesthetics and branding
• Work with R&D to support new product development Presenting technical information

Project Management

• Coordinate with supply chain for material sourcing and innovation
• Ensures compliance of company policies, procedures, and objectives regarding processes, initiatives, and projects
• Other duties may be assigned

Comply with all company policies and procedures, demonstrating a strong commitment to Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in support of product integrity, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• Strong knowledge of Food Safety Regulations
• Established project management skills
• 5+ years of experience in packaging engineering, preferably in food or beverage industry.
• Knowledge of packaging materials (films, laminates, corrugated) and machinery
• Familiarity with sustainability practices and food safety standards
• Familiarity with EPR compliance across various states
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills

Experience Requirements:

• Experience with coffee packaging technologies (degassing valves, vacuum sealing0
• Proficiency in CAD software and packaging simulation tools
• Understanding of automation and robotics in packaging lines
• Knowledge of distribution channels and designing to customer requirements
• Experience in strategic planning and execution
• Knowledge of contracting, negotiating and change management
• Travel up to 10%
• System engineering
• Manufacturing methods and procedures
• Manufacturing environments experience a must
• Deep understanding of packaging materials and systems
• Willingness to work flexible schedule
• Ability to motivate teams to produce quality work and simultaneously manage several projects
• Hardware specifications Manufacturing quality

Location: Lincoln, CA (Onsite)

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Fair Chance Act

San Francisco Bay Coffee will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if San Francisco Bay Coffee is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Right's Department Fair Chance Act | CRD (ca.gov) webpage.