Packaging Engineer

Job Description

Schwan’s Company, a . affiliate of the global lifestyle company, CJ CheilJedang Corporation, is a leading . manufacturer and marketer of quality foods offered through retail-grocery and food-service channels. Our many popular brands include Red Baron, Tony’s, Big Daddy’s, Villa Prima and Freschetta pizza; Mrs. Smith’s and Edwards desserts; and Pagoda and Bibigo Asian-style snacks. Schwan’s is a place for people with an appetite for more. To learn about joining a team where you can belong, contribute, and thrive, visit

We are searching for a Packaging Engineer to be based in at our facility in Florence, KY. In this exciting role you are responsible for researching, developing, documenting, and testing innovative packaging solutions that are new to the company or new to the world. You will support Product Development, Packaging, Sourcing, Packaging Equipment Engineering and Purchasing to optimize and reduce total packaging costs.

What you will get from us:

• Opportunities for career growth with one of THE fastest growing food companies in the US.
• A culture focused on building trust, challenging assumptions, and continuous transformation.
• Competitive compensation including incentives and a flexible time off program.

Responsibilities:

• Executes packaging projects (New products to Schwan's, packaging equipment line extensions, in alignment with business units and new product platforms to drive company revenue and profitability with moderate supervision.
• Identifies and implements innovative packaging solutions, resulting in improvements in performance of existing packaging and features, reduced packaging costs from new materials/processes, faster execution and simplified processes.
• Supports marketing and consumer research initiatives to contribute to the understanding of why consumers buy products and how packaging innovation can affect purchase decisions. Executes concept tests around new and innovative packaging concepts that help fulfill unmet consumer needs and drive the company into new white space. Provides innovative packaging concepts and prototype packages in support of Business Unit consumer research.
• Contributes to ideation sessions qualitative consumer research and deep dive initiatives to further understand consumers and market opportunities for the purpose of driving innovation throughout the company.
• Identifies opportunities for deep dives into relevant new packaging technologies and present to Business Unit Innovation and Marketing Managers to create awareness and understanding of the evolving world of packaging technology.
• Recommends test protocols, coordinates and conducts packaging performance testing for the purpose of determining shelf life, product protection, merchantability and specification tolerance.
• Is a key player working with Packaging Sourcing and Engineering in identifying packaging suppliers.
• Fully embraces and supports Schwan's Culture of Innovation initiative
• Interact with vendors and outside developers to raise technology standards within the packaging organization.
• Documents all work according to established procedures and guidelines and ensures clear communication by preparing various test reports for business and technical leaders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or equivalent technical degree
• 2+ years of experience in a packaging development role or working with flexible materials, cartons, corrugated, caps, and PET bottles
• Intermediate knowledge of product/package development flow from ideation to product launch in a consumer goods environment
• Intermediate knowledge of the packaging industry and supplier capabilities
• Intermediate working knowledge of ASTM and ISTA packaging test methods
• Ideally will have knowledge of food processing and flow of operations.
• Preferred knowledge of government agencies pertaining to the food industry
• Working knowledge of a wide variety of packaging materials processing equipment and automated packaging machinery.
• Intermediate technical problem-solving skills using statistics and modeling techniques and solid computer skills including Microsoft Office, MS Project and TOPS/CAPE, and CAD software.

The employing subsidiaries of Schwan’s Company are Equal Employment Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, age, race, color, religion, gender, vet status, national origin or other protected class.