Associate Packaging Engineer

Lactalis American Group; Buffalo, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education Reimbursement

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plans

Training & Development

Job summary

Lactalis American Group seeks an Associate Packaging Engineer based in Buffalo, NY. You will work with Marketing, R&D, Plants, Quality, Engineering, and Purchasing to design, test, and implement packaging solutions that support new launches, business continuity, and sustainability goals.

Travel to facilities is required. Role emphasizes packaging design, material selection, performance testing, and manufacturing implementation, with collaboration across internal and external partners to

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Packaging Science or related field preferred.
• At least 1 year of experience in Packaging or related field required.
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Knowledge of packaging materials and sustainability initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Marketing, R&D, Quality, Plants, Engineering, Purchasing) to develop packaging recommendations for new and existing products.
• Develop and maintain packaging die lines, pallet configurations, and related documentation; use CAD/CAPE/TOPS as needed.
• Identify and implement packaging and process improvements to deliver cost savings while maintaining quality and efficiency.
• Support packaging machinery knowledge and automation relevant to packaging operations.
• Lead manufacturing trials, collect data, and provide technical recommendations from results.
• Assist sites with packaging performance, material, and supply challenges to ensure quality and efficiency.
• Source and investigate new packaging innovations and coordinate with suppliers and internal teams.
• Contribute to sustainability initiatives and quantify achievements across plants and suppliers.
• Coordinate supplier transitions and manufacturing transfers; lead technical implementation of packaging changes.
• Establish qualification procedures for evaluating and approving new suppliers.

Skills

Packaging

Communication

Problem solving

Time management

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science or related field

Tools

CAD drafting

Palletization software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis USA, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Associate Packaging Engineer based in Buffalo, New York. Working closely with Marketing, R&D, Plants, Quality, Engineering, and Purchasing teams, the Associate Packaging Engineer is responsible for developing, evaluating, and implementing packaging solutions that support new product launches, business continuity, operational efficiency, and sustainability objectives. The role provides technical expertise in package design, material selection, performance testing, and manufacturing implementation. The Associate Packaging Engineer collaborates with internal and external partners to standardize packaging systems where appropriate, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure packaging solutions meet business, regulatory, quality, and operational requirements. Frequent travel to manufacturing facilities and supplier locations is required.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Work on cross-functional teams (Marketing, R&D, Quality, Plants, Engineering and Purchasing) to develop, design, test and make packaging recommendations for new and existing (line extensions) products
• Develop, revise, and maintain packaging die lines, pallet configurations, and related technical documentation to ensure accuracy and manufacturing readiness. May require use of computer systems (AUTOCAD / CAPE / TOPS) to complete the process.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement packaging and process improvements that deliver cost savings while maintaining product quality, performance, and operational efficiency.
• General knowledge of packaging machinery, material handling, and automation that relates to Packaging.
• Lead manufacturing trials, collect data, and provide technical recommendations based on trial results.
• Support manufacturing sites in addressing packaging performance, material, and supply-related challenges to ensure operational efficiency and product quality.
• Source and investigate new innovative ideas throughout the industry to inform Marketing and plants of the newest innovations that may benefit our product lines. This process can be done through publications, shows, networking with Suppliers, product displays in the marketplace. Will continually assess Suppliers to ensure that our company receives updated innovations and new packaging ideas.
• Act as a key member of Lactalis’ sustainability initiatives. To identify opportunities, quantify achievements, and ensure timely execution of projects at our plants, co-packers, and for imported products.
• Exchange information within LAN Packaging R&D team to benefit in package designs, specifications, and machinery.
• Lead the technical implementation of packaging changes associated with supplier transitions, manufacturing transfers, and business continuity initiatives.
• Technically assist in sourcing and qualifying Suppliers. This will include regular visits to production plants and suppliers. The Associate Packaging Engineer will establish a qualification procedure for evaluation and implementation.
• This job description outlines the primary responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties that may be assigned.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties and Responsibilities.
• Ability to travel to various North American Lactalis sites in the United States and Canada (up to 30% travel required). This travel will require overnight stays depending on the manufacturing site being supported.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education:

• Bachelors degree in Packaging Science or related field preferred

Experience

• At least one year of experience in Packaging or related field required through work or internship

Competencies

• Effective and proficient communicator, written and verbal
• Business acumen to include problem solving and analysis
• Able to manage time through efficient planning an organizing
• OSHA, Food Safety, FDA and UDSA
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, manufacturing and business systems and packaging- related software; experience with CAD drafting and palletization software preferred

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affinity Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.