Role SummaryThe Packaging Sustainability & Compliance Engineer will support the development and execution of global sustainability, regulatory compliance, and package validation initiatives within the Package Engineering organization. This role will serve as a technical packaging resource focused on evaluating new materials and technologies, translating emerging regulatory and licensor requirements into actionable packaging solutions, supporting regional compliance and reporting activities, and helping establish a formal package testing and validation program.
The ideal candidate combines a strong foundation in packaging engineering and materials with technical curiosity, problem-solving skills, and an interest in sustainability and emerging packaging technologies. This is an opportunity to help build new capabilities within a growing Package Engineering function.
Key ResponsibilitiesPackaging Compliance & Regulatory Support- Serve as a packaging technical resource supporting global regulatory and compliance initiatives.
- Monitor emerging packaging regulations and requirements, including EPR, material restrictions, recycled content, recyclability, and assess potential impacts to the packaging portfolio.
- Interpret packaging sustainability requirements from licensors and external partners, identify gaps, and help develop technical solutions for implementation.
- Support regional compliance and reporting activities by establishing and maintaining accurate packaging material classifications, compositions, weights, supplier certifications, and supporting technical data.
- Represent Package Engineering as a technical contributor to broader company sustainability and compliance initiatives.
Packaging Sustainability & Material Development- Identify and execute opportunities for material reduction, increased recycled content, improved recyclability, and alternative packaging technologies.
- Research and evaluate emerging sustainable packaging materials and technologies, from improvements to existing materials to entirely new packaging solutions.
- Partner with material suppliers, converters, and technology providers to source and evaluate potential solutions.
- Plan and execute material trials and qualification activities, evaluating package performance, sustainability impact, cost, consumer experience, and scalability.
- Develop technical recommendations and, where appropriate, supporting business cases for packaging changes.
- Partner with Package Engineers to transition qualified materials and technologies into product-level specifications and maintain supporting qualification documentation.
Package Testing & Validation- Help establish and continuously improve a formal package testing and development validation program.
- Develop standardized test methods based on recognized standards such as ISTA and ASTM, adapting methodologies for internal requirements where appropriate.
- Plan, execute, and document package drop testing and support additional package testing capabilities as they are introduced.
- Partner with Package Engineers to establish test plans and acceptance criteria, analyze failures, identify root causes, and develop and validate corrective solutions.
- Maintain standardized test reports and validation records and translate testing learnings into improved packaging design guidelines and development practices.
- Help integrate package testing and validation as a repeatable stage within the packaging development and commercialization process.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Working knowledge of packaging materials, structures, and package development principles.
- Strong technical problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Ability to plan and execute technical evaluations, trials, and testing.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with attention to technical accuracy and documentation.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, quality, sourcing, suppliers, and other cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications- 2-5 years of experience in packaging engineering, packaging development, materials, sustainability, testing, or a related technical field.
- Experience evaluating or qualifying packaging materials and working with packaging suppliers or converters.
- Familiarity with paperboard, corrugated, flexible packaging, plastics, coatings, adhesives, and other common packaging materials.
- Experience with package testing or familiarity with ISTA, ASTM, or similar industry standards.
- Exposure to sustainable packaging development, recyclable materials, recycled-content initiatives, or material-reduction programs.
- Familiarity with packaging regulations, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), or packaging compliance reporting.
