Packaging Engineer

Colgate-Palmolive; Sur; On-site; COP 60,000,000 - 120,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive is seeking a Packaging Engineer in Cali, Colombia, to drive end-to-end packaging development for new products and sustainability initiatives. You will collaborate with Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, and global vendors to design high-performance packaging that enhances margins and manufacturing efficiency.

You should bring deep material expertise, strong project management, and a passion for sustainable packaging solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a packaging-related field is required.
• 5+ years of experience in CPG/FMCG or Pharmaceutical industries.
• 3+ years in packaging development, structural design, or related roles.
• Intermediate to advanced English proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, engineer, and launch innovative primary and secondary packaging concepts.
• Define technical specifications for packaging materials including resins, bottles, closures, and adhesives.
• Lead cross-functional timelines from ideation through pilot testing to launch.
• Identify and execute FTG cost-improvement initiatives to reduce total delivered cost.
• Drive sustainable packaging initiatives with recyclable materials and PCR resins.
• Partner with external suppliers and plant teams to maximize line runnability.

Skills

CPG/FMCG experience

Packaging development experience

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, Product Design Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline

Job description

No Relocation Assistance Offered

Job Number #176727 - Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

About the Role

Are you an innovative packaging professional ready to drive business growth through cutting-edge design, sustainable materials, and flawless technical execution? As our Packaging Engineer, you will sit at the heart of Colgate’s Global Design and Packaging team, leading end-to-end packaging development across new product innovations, sustainability initiatives, and Funding the Growth (FTG) cost optimization projects. Working closely with Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, and global packaging vendors, you will engineer high-performance primary and secondary packaging that delights consumers while optimizing manufacturing line efficiency and margin performance. If you bring deep technical material expertise, strong project management, and a passion for sustainable packaging solutions, this position offers a high-impact creative platform!

Core Responsibilities

• Packaging Innovation & Concept Development: Conceptualize, engineer, and launch innovative primary and secondary packaging concepts, aligning creative dieline designs with technical feasibility, consumer functionality, and brand aesthetic standards.

• Technical Specification & Material Expertise: Define technical specifications and performance criteria for a wide range of packaging materials—including resins, bottles, closures, dispensing systems, films/webs, folding cartons, corrugated board, labels, and adhesives.

• Flawless Execution & Project Management: Manage the packaging development grid and cross-functional timelines from ideation through pilot testing and commercial launch, ensuring 100% on-time delivery and flawless technical accuracy.

• Funding the Growth (FTG) & Cost Optimization: Identify, lead, and execute packaging margin-improvement and cost-savings initiatives (FTG), reducing material usage and optimizing Total Delivered Cost (TDC) without compromising product quality.

• Sustainable Packaging Roadmap: Drive eco-friendly packaging initiatives in support of regional and global sustainability goals, incorporating recyclable materials, post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins, and lightweighting strategies.

• Supplier & Manufacturing Partnerships: Partner with external packaging suppliers to source novel technologies and collaborate with plant production teams on continuous improvement (CI) initiatives to maximize packaging line runnability.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, Product Design Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline.

• At least 5+ years of experience in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG / FMCG) or the Pharmaceutical industry.

• At least 3+ years of direct experience in packaging development, structural design engineering, or closely related packaging roles.

• Intermediate to Advanced English proficiency.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of hands-on project management experience leading cross-functional projects (R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain).

• Experience with package testing protocols, technical packaging specifications, and vendor co-development.

• Proven track record in packaging sustainability projects (sustainable materials, PCR integration, circular design).

• Deep technical knowledge of rigid and flexible packaging converting processes (injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming, flexographic/offset printing).

• Experience managing Total Delivered Cost (TDC) modeling, packaging line trial execution, and commercialization audits.

• Strong cross-functional leadership, stakeholder negotiation, and creative problem-solving skills.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaxk_eF4utznQoVHlxmL9jVFJbOkM4Oe5CAdKOg-h9EPdLfg/viewform) should you require accommodation.

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