Job title: Packaging Manager
Location: Glendale Heights, IL *must be based in IL, within a 1-2 hr drive to/from Glendale Heights*
Reports to: VP of Development
Job type: Full-time
Overview:
NSI is a growing leader in the organic and sustainable food industry, specializing in sourcing, developing, and supplying high-quality food products for private-label retailers. NSI is looking for a hands-on, commercially minded Packaging Manager to own and elevate our packaging function from development through commercialization and ongoing supply. The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, highly organized, comfortable working with both products and data, and driven to make an immediate impact.
Mission:
The Packaging Manager will become NSI's internal packaging expert, partnering closely with Product Development, Quality, Procurement, Operations, suppliers, and co-packers to develop packaging solutions that are high-quality, cost-effective, sustainable, manufacturable, and delivered quickly.
Key responsibilities:
Packaging Design:
- Own the end-to-end packaging development process from concept and specifications through samples, testing, trials, and commercialization.
- Develop and maintain packaging specifications, approved samples, testing requirements, and packaging documentation.
- Support packaging development primarily across flexible packaging (~60%), corrugate/boxes (~30%), and rigid packaging (~10%).
- Evaluate packaging materials, structures, barriers, dimensions, and performance requirements to ensure products are protected and suitable for production.
- Work closely with co-packers and manufacturing partners to ensure packaging is compatible with VFFS, HFFS, filling, sealing, cartoning, and other equipment.
- Lead packaging supplier relationships, including sourcing, pricing, terms, performance, and backup supplier development.
- Proactively identify and resolve packaging issues before they impact product launches, customers, or supply.
Pricing strategy and execution:
- Lead supplier negotiations and identify cost-reduction opportunities through specification optimization, standardization, volume consolidation, alternative materials, and sourcing strategies.
- Identify and execute packaging cost savings, with an initial target of approximately $500K based on current volumes.
- Manage packaging data, quotes, projections, cost analyses, specifications, and supplier information with a high level of accuracy and organization.
Regulatory, sustainability and reporting:
- Partner with Operations, Procurement and Quality to ensure packaging meets applicable regulatory and sustainability requirements, including EPR, e-Halo, PFAS, recyclability, and circularity considerations.
- Identify and validate more sustainable packaging solutions while balancing product protection, quality, manufacturability, cost, and regulatory requirements.
The ideal candidate will have:
- 5+ years of experience in packaging development, packaging management, or a related role, within the food or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry.
- Strong knowledge of flexible film packaging, particularly stand-up pouches and related structures.
- Working knowledge of corrugated packaging, including generic and printed boxes.
- Comfortable working with Excel, projections, cost analysis, and packaging data.
- Commercially comfortable with the ability to negotiate and influence suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Hands-on and comfortable working directly with packaging samples, mock-ups, and products.
- Highly driven, results-oriented, and motivated to make an impact.
- Able to work frequently on-site in the Chicago area and in the office.
Work environment:
- Illinois-based remote role. Candidates must reside in Illinois and be able to work remotely (local office available as an option).
- Travel is required to visit NSI's office, visit co-packing/co-manufacturing partners, and for other business needs.
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