Packaging Innovation Engineer

This position will play an important role in supporting packaging innovation, new product development, sustainability, and commercialization initiatives within a global consumer products organization. The engineer will partner with cross-functional teams throughout the product development lifecycle, with an emphasis on packaging updates, new components, artwork changes, labeling, and broader packaging modernization initiatives.

The role will also collaborate closely with packaging suppliers, internal manufacturing teams, and contract manufacturing partners to support the development, testing, validation, and successful commercialization of packaging solutions.

Strong attention to detail is essential, particularly when managing packaging specifications, bills of materials (BOMs), drawings, testing documentation, and other technical records throughout the development process.

Key Responsibilities

• Support packaging innovation and modernization projects through the design, testing, validation, and commercialization of new and updated packaging solutions.

• Provide technical input on primary and secondary packaging designs, materials, and components, with consideration for performance, manufacturability, cost, and sustainability.

• Coordinate project schedules, deliverables, and costs to help ensure packaging initiatives are completed on time and within budget.

• Develop and maintain packaging specifications, BOMs, drawings, and supporting technical documentation.

• Partner with internal manufacturing sites, external manufacturers, and suppliers to execute packaging trials, pilot runs, first-production runs, testing, and validation activities.

• Coordinate packaging samples, supplier quotations, technical specifications, and other documentation for primary and secondary packaging components.

• Contribute to packaging sustainability initiatives, including evaluating materials and improvements related to environmental objectives and regulatory requirements.

• Develop and execute packaging test protocols, conduct component and material testing, document results, and support manufacturing trials.

• Collaborate across functions including R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Procurement, Marketing, and external suppliers to support successful product launches.

• Perform additional packaging engineering and project-related responsibilities as required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Approximately 4-7 years of progressively responsible Packaging Engineering experience.

• Experience supporting new product development, packaging innovation, commercialization, and product launches, ideally within consumer goods, food, nutrition, or dietary supplement environments.

• Working knowledge of packaging materials and formats, including rigid and flexible plastics, corrugated packaging, labels, and paperboard, as well as their associated manufacturing processes.

• Understanding of sustainable packaging principles and material-selection considerations.

• Strong project management and organizational abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple development projects simultaneously.

• Detail-oriented approach with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering preferred.

• A Bachelor's degree in another Engineering discipline combined with relevant packaging industry experience may also be considered.