Sr Packaging Engineer

Position requires 3 days per week in office with two days remote*

A senior technical Innovation role creating and developing new Packaging Concepts, Prototypes, and Structures with focus on delivering Sustainable Packaging Material Propositions.    The role is part of the Coffee Pod Packaging Innovation & R&D team focused on designing and developing disruptive packaging innovation;  delivering package innovations and driving the development and execution of new and refreshed package formats across a range of package materials and structures (cups, lids, filters, films, paperboard) used in line with our coffee beverage business unit to deliver on our brand innovation growth ambitions.  

The Packaging Innovator will:

1. Develop and commercialize differentiated new packages with the Coffee business and deliver in a method to support the values of unrivaled quality, creativity and innovation across core brands, existing pipeline, and new Innovation Platforms.
2. Work with incumbent and new material packaging vendors to identify novel materials & packaging technologies that can deliver company objectives and multi-year brand pipelines.
3. Collaborate with Brand, Procurement, & Supply Chain, to design consumer-centric packaging for the first and second moment of truth, while optimizing for manufacturing and distribution.
4. Advance the business through technical excellence ensuring all aspects meet or exceed the quality and performance requirements within a managed timeline and cost objective.
5. Be tightly connected and a key contributor to the broader Coffee Innovation, R&D Product and Process Development and Supply Chain Functions
6. Be a key technical developer with thermoforming expertise in delivering our Sustainable Packaging Ambitions on Ready to Recycle, Compostable, and PCR content.

Responsibilities of this role include the following:

• Initiate and perform technical feasibility studies on new packaging platforms delivered through ideation
• Cross-Functional Project Leadership
• Actively participate in Marketing and Marketing Research programs, including focus groups and other consumer research formats to inform Packaging design and structures
• Strong communication, organizational, and collaboration skills; Ability to influence cross functional teams, suppliers across multiple sites
• Strong collaboration skills; ability to bring together people from different sectors and business units to ensure the requirements reflect the global needs
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities without impacting timelines
• Ability to prioritize risk and quickly identify issue resolution options, pros, cons, and action plan
• Contribute to Research & insights Teams to incorporate packaging requirements into plans
• Provide Subject Matter Expertise for Package Development and Commercialization
• Define, maintain, and update packaging specifications and protocols to assure robust manufacturing and consistent consumer experiences with our brands.
• Location: Burlington, Massachusetts

• BS in Packaging, Chemical, Mechanical, Plastics Engineering or equivalent with 8 years’ experience in related consumer goods field.   MS or PhD a plus
• Experience working with Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) with food/beverage
• Expertise in thermoformed and injection molded cups; polymer based, aluminum, laminated flexibles; wet and dry-molded fiber; paperboard; bio based resins a plus
• Strong understanding of circular economy, recyclability, compostability and reusability of packaging
• Strong track record of championing innovation and sustainable packaging within organizations and Successful executed programs from idea to implementation, completing the research case to drive the change.
• Adept understanding of consumer informed research, design, analytical and physical testing methodologies
• Strong commercial acumen, technical development skills, judgment and understanding of the business and industry.
• A mix of career experience across R&D, Quality, B2B, and Design a plus
• Change readiness, resiliency, and flexibility to thrive in a constantly-changing and fast-moving work environment

Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ: KDP) is a modern beverage company with a bold vision built to deliver growth and opportunity.  We operate with a differentiated business model and world-class brand portfolio, powered by a talented and engaged team that is anchored in our values. We work with big, exciting beverage brands and the #1 single-serve coffee brewing system in North America at KDP, and we have fun doing it! 

Together, we have built a leading beverage company in North America offering hot and cold beverages together at scale. Whatever your area of expertise, at KDP you can be a part of a team that’s proud of its brands, partnerships, innovation, and growth. Will you join us? 

We strive to be an employer of choice, providing a culture and opportunities that empower our team of ~28,000 employees to grow and develop.  We offer robust benefits to support your health and wellness as well as your personal and financial well-being. We also provide employee programs designed to enhance your professional growth and development, while ensuring you feel valued, inspired and appreciated at work. 

Keurig Dr Pepper is an equal opportunity employer and affirmatively seeks diversity in its workforce. Keurig Dr Pepper recruits qualified applicants and advances in employment its employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability or association with a person with a disability, medical condition, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.