Packaging Engineer

Position Overview:

The Packaging Engineer will lead packaging innovation, development, and cost-reduction initiatives for the Milton facility. This role is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and implementing new materials, processes, packaging formats, and equipment to ensure the successful commercialization of assigned projects. The position requires strong technical expertise in canning operations, double-seam integrity, and packaging equipment performance. In addition, the Packaging Engineer will partner with Supply Chain and Operations to procure and produce packaging that meets functional, cost, quality, and shelf-life requirements, while aligning with consumer expectations. This role is based at the Milton, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility.

Responsibilities:

• Support the packaging needs of assigned business/product lines.
• Provide technical input throughout all phases of New Product Development and lead packaging development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Manage multiple packaging development and cost reduction projects.
• Lead in the identification and resolution of problems and facilitate new or improved packaging, new or improved processes and cost savings.
• Monitor double-seam performance through regular measurement, teardown, and analysis, ensuring compliance with regulations and company standards.
• Coordinate and execute experiments and plant trials, prepare results in technical reports (written and/or oral) with minimal supervision.
• Work as a cross functional resource to provide new packing platforms and support innovation.
• Provide technical support to Operations for solving manufacturing issues. Partner with Quality Assurance to conduct root cause analysis of seam or package defects and implement corrective actions.
• Work with Marketing and partner with Operations for commercial execution against all new products.
• Seek, evaluate, and utilize technical information to achieve objectives.
• Recommend and implement product quality improvements based on quantitative insights.
• Leverage external vendors and work directly with Supply Chain.
• Stay current with industry trends, packaging innovations, and regulatory changes impacting canned food production.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.
• Will need to travel as requested, less than 20%.

Qualifications:

• 3-5 years packaging experience. Preferred expertise in canning, UHT, and aseptic processing.
• Understanding of product and packaging interactions, food protection and packaging tests
• Understanding of packaging equipment, packaging processes
• Understanding of double seam evaluation, specifications, and corrective adjustments.
• Familiarity with canning equipment such as seamers, fillers, retorts, and ancillary systems.
• Understanding of FDA/USDA regulations for LACF products and container integrity requirements
• Ability to work with Supply Chain on capital projects involving packaging solutions
• Ability to manage multiple projects
• Bachelor’s Degree in Packaging Engineering, Food Science or Engineering.
• Preferred: Master’s Degree in Engineering, Food Science or Engineering or Business.

Personal Characteristics:

• Displays even temperament, ethical values and good team-play within R&D and cross-functionally
• Ability to work independently, make sound decisions, and lead cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment can handle moderate degrees of ambiguity.
• Passion for food and innovation.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person