Packaging Engineering Manager

Packaging Engineering Manager

The duties and responsibilities of the Packaging Engineering Manager will include :

• Lead the packaging engineering team and oversee the development, design, and optimization of packaging processes, ensuring full compliance with quality, regulatory, labeling, and safety standards.
• Manage packaging initiatives with a hands-on approach, collaborating closely with headquarters in Korea and with suppliers to ensure flawless project execution.
• Partner with cross-functional teams – including Marketing, Operations, vendors, and suppliers – to develop packaging that aligns with brand and product objectives, providing ideas, solutions, and alternatives to support product excellence.
• Oversee new product development and product improvements from concept through commercialization, with a primary focus on packaging specifications, machinery, and processes.
• Work with internal partners to bring innovative packaging concepts from ideation to commercialization, factoring in quality, shelf life, sustainability, regulatory compliance, cost, product protection, and consumer experience.
• Design sustainable packaging solutions that minimize environmental impact while remaining functional and cost effective; stay current on sustainability trends, equipment innovations, and packaging regulations, working with the regulatory team as needed.
• Support product excellence for co-packed items, including process improvements aimed at enhancing quality and reducing costs.
• Maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) for all assigned products.
• Assist in researching and evaluating new packaging materials for cost, sustainability, food safety, quality, performance, and compatibility, and identify potential co-packers for NPD projects.
• Monitor emerging industry trends and competitive products, providing recommendations to maintain compliance and ensure market competitiveness.
• Conduct scale-up tests and activities from R&D through full-scale production, ensuring seamless transitions and maintaining packaging integrity.
• Provide regular project updates and progress reports for R&D initiatives using MS Project, following established NPD processes.
• Apply knowledge of food microbiology and chemistry to identify root causes of packaging-related product defects and recommend preventative measures.
• Support special projects as needed.

Skills / Qualifications :