The Opportunity: Principal Packaging EngineerThe Principal Packaging Engineer is the senior technical leader of the Packaging Development department, setting technical standards and direction for packaging across all company brands while remaining hands-on in the department's most complex and highest-impact work. Working in partnership with the Director, Packaging Development, who manages the department, this role shapes packaging strategy and the technology roadmap, leads critical cross-functional initiatives, and serves as the customer-facing and supplier-facing technical authority. The Principal Packaging Engineer mentors and develops the engineering team, establishes best practices, and recommends process improvements and investments to department leadership.
What You'll Do:- Serve as the senior technical authority for the packaging engineering team; establish and maintain packaging standards, specification templates, test protocols, and design practices across brands.
- Partner with the Director, Packaging Development to define packaging strategy, the technology roadmap, and departmental priorities; recommend capability, tooling, and resourcing investments.
- Remain hands-on as the technical lead for the department's most complex, highest-risk, and highest-visibility packaging projects, from ideation through first production.
- Lead new item development to include packaging design, vendor sourcing, and initial pricing; in response to manufacturing/sales/customer requirements, develop physical pack outs, bag/box/barrel sizing, palletization reports, and finalized packaging specs.
- Lead cross-functional teams to commercialize packaging/product innovations, aligning Sales, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Engineering on technical approach, timing, and risk.
- Mentor and coach packaging engineers and perform technical peer review to drive right-first-time performance and ensure accuracy of documentation delivered to customers; contribute to onboarding and development of team members.
- Serve as the escalation point for complex packaging defects and failures; lead root cause analysis and corrective action with manufacturing and supplier teams.
- Act as the customer-facing technical expert for a broad product portfolio, representing the company in customer technical reviews and presentations.
- Investigate, evaluate, and qualify new packaging technologies, formats, materials, and systems; lead pilots and trials and develop the business case for adoption.
- Drive automation, cost reduction, value creation, and sustainability initiatives; partner with Procurement to provide estimated costing for packaging components and to shape supplier strategy.
- Build and maintain strong technical relationships with key packaging suppliers; lead supplier technical qualification and performance improvement.
- Work with Engineering and Procurement on the specification, selection, and trialing of new packaging equipment and packaging specifications.
- Collaborate with manufacturing to discover packaging efficiencies and reduce downtime; become an expert in the manufacturing facilities and capabilities on covered brands (supported by travel and plant visits as business needs arise).
- Interpret test results to verify packaging specifications/compliance, and review current packaging specifications, design, and performance to drive continuous improvement.
- Create and standardize product + package assembly guides for internal/external manufacturing teams.
- Manage packaging projects with timely updates shared with other departments, and communicate project status, risks, and recommendations to the Director and department leadership.
What You'll Bring:Education- Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science or a Materials/Design related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience, is required. Master's degree or Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) designation preferred.
Experience - 15+ years' experience in packaging engineering within consumer-packaged goods required, food and beverage highly preferred, including at least 3 years in a senior or technical lead role and a demonstrated record of commercializing packaging from concept through production.
Skills- Subject matter expert in a wide range of packaging forms, including corrugated, injection blow-molded PET, paperboard, and flexible films, and of the converting, filling, and packaging line processes that run them.
- Demonstrated technical leadership, including the ability to mentor engineers and influence cross-functional teams and suppliers without direct authority.
- Deep ability to think critically and apply advanced root cause and complex problem-solving skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including presenting technical topics to customers, suppliers, and senior leadership.
- Self-directed and forward thinking, with sound judgment in making complex decisions that drive business innovation and performance.
- Comfort developing and supporting recommendations, findings, and business cases to the Director and cross-functional leadership.
- Excellent time and project management skills with proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple, concurrent, complex projects.
- Working knowledge of packaging test methods and standards (e.g., ASTM, ISTA) and food-contact regulatory requirements.
- Proficiency in Computer aided packaging development software such as TOPS
WORK ENVIRONMENT- Fast-paced environment that requires organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with hands-on work in lab, plant, and supplier environments as needed.
- Flexibility to perform at levels to meet peak demands in periods of high volume and activity.
