Packaging Engineer

Hybrid Role (Remote with travel throughout the midwest)

Contract

Compensation: $48-60/hr

About the role

Our client is seeking a contract Packaging Engineer to lead and support packaging changes, cost transformation initiatives, and package qualification across a network of manufacturing plants. This role requires frequent travel and focuses on ensuring packaging solutions are cost-effective, functional, and aligned with customer needs and sustainability goals. The Packaging Engineer will oversee that branded packaging runs efficiently in manufacturing plants, ships without damage, merchandises effectively, is easy for customers to use, and supports packaging sustainability goals. The customer packaging experience—including cost, quality, and functionality—should drive satisfaction and repeat business. The role demands a strong safety mindset, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in packaging solutions. You will be expected to perform all responsibilities safely, efficiently, and accurately to maintain and improve performance in the areas of Safety, Quality, and Reliability (SQR), while demonstrating professionalism, integrity, collaboration, inclusion, and a strong commitment to safety.

Responsibilities

• Lead initiatives to improve packaging functionality, cost-effectiveness, and customer usability.
• Write, maintain, and update packaging specifications for manufacturing products.
• Identify and implement packaging cost-saving opportunities and support cost transformation initiatives.
• Manage packaging change projects for new and existing products, including feasibility studies and plant trials.
• Conduct feasibility assessments for packaging changes by package, manufacturing facility, and, when required, individual production line, evaluating multiple packaging samples to identify the most effective solution.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute plant trials as needed, typically completing two to three trials depending on package complexity.
• Support and evaluate extended production runs to validate packaging performance, production efficiency, and quality.
• Provide on-site technical support during production line start-ups following packaging changes to ensure successful implementation and resolve issues as they arise.
• Partner with Sourcing to qualify packaging vendors and support supplier-recommended testing.
• Travel to manufacturing plants and supplier locations to conduct packaging testing, validation, and on-site technical support.
• Collaborate with Brand, Product, Food Technology, and Quality teams to ensure packaging meets quality, innovation, and regulatory requirements.
• Proactively address customer packaging feedback and drive continuous improvement opportunities.
• Stay current on emerging packaging materials, technologies, and industry trends to support innovation and sustainability goals.
• Conduct and interpret a variety of packaging tests (minimum sample size of 30 units), including dimensional verification, barrier testing, topload testing, drop testing, resin distribution analysis, torque testing, stack & ship testing, sectional weight analysis, quality testing, and any additional supplier-recommended testing.
• Support the development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of food safety and quality systems (e.g., SQF).
• Maintain accountability for food safety and quality standards across manufacturing operations.
• Follow established programs, policies, and practices to ensure safe, high-quality, and regulatory-compliant packaging solutions.
• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, collaboration, and a strong commitment to safety in all activities.
• Champion a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and execution excellence in all packaging engineering activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience leading packaging change initiatives.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated project leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Experience designing, executing, and interpreting statistically valid packaging experiments.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and packaging design software (e.g., TOPS).
• Experience designing and interpreting consumer research related to packaging (preferred).
• Technical writing experience for engineering specifications and documentation (preferred).
• Proficiency with 2D CAD software (preferred).
• Working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator for packaging artwork and design support (preferred).
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to manufacturing plants and supplier locations.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated competencies in customer focus, effective communication, collaboration & teamwork, leadership & influence, coaching & development, innovation & continuous improvement, execution excellence, strategic thinking, and a strong safety mindset.