Packaging Engineer

FoodScience is seeking a Packaging Engineer to lead the development, standardization, and optimization of packaging systems across our portfolio of health and wellness brands. This is a highly cross-functional, hands-on role responsible for improving packaging performance, reducing cost of goods sold (COGS), and enabling efficient manufacturing, sourcing, and distribution.

FoodScience offers 9 paid holidays per year, including your birthday! One paid week off during our yearly plant shutdown, and a competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) program that starts to accrue immediately. Our benefits include health insurance with options for a Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), life insurance, dental, vision, and a variety of other additional insurance options to fit your needs. Other perks include employee discounts and professional development. You’ll work with a supportive, experienced team that wants to see you succeed.

This role serves as the primary packaging engineering owner across multiple brands, responsible for material selection, performance validation, specification management, and packaging standardization. Success in this role requires strong technical expertise in packaging materials and barrier design, hands-on manufacturing experience, and the ability to translate product and brand needs into scalable, cost-effective packaging solutions.

This is a high-impact role with direct influence on product quality, operational efficiency, sustainability, and cost structure.

What You’ll Own

Packaging Strategy & Standardization

• Develop andmaintaina “Preferred Packaging Program” including standardized specifications, dimensions, and approved bills of materials (BOMs) across product families
• Lead packaging portfolio rationalization to reduce complexity, enable part sharing, and improve sourcing leverage
• Drive right-sizing initiatives tooptimizepackaging performance, reduce waste, and lower cost

Material Selection & Performance Validation

• Selectoptimalpackaging materials and barrier structures based on product requirements, including OTR, MVTR, and protection from light, oxygen, and moisture
• Evaluate migration risk and product compatibility across packaging formats
• Validate packaging performance through ISTA/ASTM testing and shelf-life or stability studies asrequired
• Ensure packaging protects product integrity, quality, and shelf life whilemaintainingbrand aesthetics

Specifications, Systems & Documentation

• Author, release, andmaintainpackaging specifications within PLM/ERP systems
• Create and manage packaging drawings,dielines, and work instructions (SOPs/COPs)
• Support labeling and artwork development processes in partnership with cross-functional teams

Operational Efficiency & Manufacturing Support

• Partner with Operations to improve pack-out processes, reduce scrap, and minimize changeover time
• Support manufacturing line trials, validations, and troubleshooting of packaging-related issues
• Optimizecase configuration and palletization to improve cubeutilizationand distribution efficiency

Sourcing, Supplier Qualification & Cost Optimization

• Partner with Procurement to qualify packaging suppliers, including dual-sourcing strategies for critical materials
• Support factory acceptance testing (FAT) and on-site validation activities
• Drive cost savings through standardization, vendor consolidation, and material optimization
• Influence supplier negotiations related to MOQ, lead times, and pricing through packaging strategy

Sustainability & Responsible Sourcing

• Lead packaging sustainability initiatives including recycled content (PCR), recyclability, and lightweighting
• Evaluate FSC chain-of-custody options and responsible sourcing practices
• Balance sustainability goals with product protection, performance, and cost requirements

Required Experience

• 3–7 years of packaging development experience within CPG, nutrition, pharma, or related industries
• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science/Engineering, Materials, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Hands-on experience supporting manufacturing environments, including line trials and packaging validation
• Strong understanding of packaging materials, barrier design (OTR/MVTR), and performance testing (ISTA/ASTM)
• Experience working cross-functionally with Operations, Quality/Regulatory, Procurement, and R&D
• Experience with packaging CAD/design tools (ArtiosCAD, SolidWorks, or similar) and managing packaging drawings/dielines
• Experience authoring andmaintainingspecifications within PLM/ERP systems
• Working knowledge of FDA food-contact requirements and labeling/artwork processes preferred
• Experience with sustainability initiatives (FSC, PCR, recyclability) preferred

What Success Looks Like

• A standardized packaging program is implemented and adopted across product lines
• Packaging complexity is reduced, enabling improved sourcing leverage and operational efficiency
• Measurable reductions in COGS are achieved through material optimization and standardization
• Manufacturing efficiency improves through reduced scrap, improved line performance, and optimized changeovers
• Packaging consistently meets product protection, shelf-life, and regulatory requirements
• Supplier network is strengthened through qualification, dual sourcing, and improved cost structure
• Sustainability initiatives are advanced without compromising product integrity or performance

A little about FoodScience:

At FoodScience®, we have one important mission: Helping people and pets live healthier lives. For nearly 50 years, that has meant making the highest quality nutritional supplements and products, but it also extends to the care we provide our customers, the workplace culture we nurture and the local community we connect to. FoodScience® is the research and innovation engine behind the trusted brands used by doctors and veterinarians. Their integrity and commitment are an extension of our own. It’s all about helping our customers, our employees, our community, and their pets thrive. Whether it’s producing the highest quality, most effective nutritional supplements and products available, or providing a satisfying and engaging work environment, we’re always focused on our endeavor to inspire healthy lives.

We provide a competitive benefits package and good jobs while maintaining a robust social responsibility program that supports programs and organizations that make our community vibrant, all while providing outstanding service that shines through in every customer interaction.

FoodScience provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to protected characteristics.

Note: Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest.