Senior Packaging Engineer

A senior technical Innovation role ideating, developing, validating and commercializing new Packaging Concepts, Prototypes, and Structures with focus on delivering strategically important Sustainable Packaging Material Propositions.

The role is part of the Material Science and Innovation team within the Packaging R&D department 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 (fiber, plastics, barrier materials, cups, lids, filters, films, paperboard) used in line with our Coffee and Refreshments business units to deliver on our brand innovation growth ambitions.

The Packaging Innovator will :

• Develop and commercialize differentiated new packages with the Coffee and Refreshments business units and deliver in a method to support the values of unrivaled quality, creativity and innovation across core brands, existing pipeline, and new Innovation Platforms.
• Work with incumbent and new material packaging vendors to identify novel materials & packaging technologies that can deliver company objectives and multi-year brand pipelines.
• 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.
• Advance the business through technical excellence ensuring all aspects meet or exceed the quality and performance requirements within a managed timeline and cost objective.
• Be tightly connected and a key contributor to the broader Coffee Innovation, R&D Product and Process Development and Supply Chain Functions
• Be a key technical developer with 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, and support the technical growth of the department
• Define, maintain, and update packaging specifications and protocols to assure robust manufacturing and consistent consumer experiences with our brands.
• Location : Burlington, Massachusetts
• Up to 20% travel

Ensure high performance results of your team by :

• Fostering a culture of trust and wellbeing that prioritizes the team and values employee contributions
• Driving a shared vision with clear goals and accountability, supported by regular conversations to maximize talent
• Embracing diverse perspectives to foster innovation, learning from both successes and failures
• Establishing a safe environment where team members are motivated, heard, and aligned with clear expectations

Requirements

• BS in Packaging, Chemical, Mechanical, 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
• Understanding of packaging development systems and processes
• Expertise in fiber technology, metals, bottles, plastic elimination technologies, packaging for the coffee industry, or bio-based materials 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
30+ days ago