Global Packaging Engineer - Toothbrush

Colgate-Palmolive; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 97,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

Life Insurance

Paid Parental Leave

Disability Coverage

401(k) Matching

Paid Holidays

PTO 15 days

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive is seeking a Packaging Engineer to lead the development of innovative packaging concepts for Oral Care products in Piscataway, NJ. You will coordinate across Marketing, Product Development, Design and Supply Chain to drive packaging excellence.

The role emphasizes global standardization, vendor collaboration, and value engineering while ensuring manufacturing feasibility and sustainability across projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Packaging Engineering, Material Science or related field.
• 4+ years of packaging experience in consumer products.
• Experience with paperboard, paper, blister pack, thermoforming packaging.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, develop and implement packaging and processes including design generation, prototypes, specs, mold qualification, testing and tech transfer.
• Oversee design and development of packaging systems meeting ergonomics, aesthetics, manufacturing feasibility and sustainability.
• Define standards for manual toothbrushes and device packaging; enable tech transfer across global facilities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure projects meet objectives and report progress with corrective actions when needed.
• Convert concepts into prototypes, specs and engineering drawings; lead cross-functional teams on packaging initiatives.

Skills

Packaging Engineering

Material Science

Packaging Design

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or related field

Master's degree

Tools

CAD/CAE

ISTA testing

Artwork management

Job description

Who We Are

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country

Job Number #175277 - Piscataway, New Jersey, United States

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.

This role will support the Oral Care division within Colgate’s Global Packaging Department. You will drive growth through innovative, consumer-preferred packaging while optimizing savings and standardization. Collaborating cross-functionally with Marketing, Product Development, Design, and Supply Chain, you will coordinate global projects with Enterprise Oral Care and manage partnerships to ensure operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the conceptualization, development and implementation of packaging and processes including: structural design generation, prototype development, technical specifications, mold and machinery qualification, functionality and quality testing, and technology transfer.

• Oversee the design and development of packaging systems and components, ensuring that all specified criteria for ergonomics, aesthetics, consumer acceptance, manufacturing feasibility, sustainability guidelines, and quality are fulfilled from the initial program brief through engineering and commercialization.

• Define global standards for manual toothbrushes and device packaging, machinery, and processes aligned with KPI objectives. Deliver effective and prompt documentation along with the transfer of engineering and manufacturing tech across global Colgate facilities.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Enterprise Oral Care Marketing, Divisional/Subsidiary Management, packaging partners, Toothbrush and Device Product Development, and Supply Chain functions to ensure all projects achieve defined objectives. Regularly evaluate and report on project performance relative to targets, implementing corrective measures as necessary.

• Convert design concepts and project briefs into accurate prototypes, technical specifications, and engineering drawings.

• Direct cross-functional teams in executing packaging-driven initiatives.

• Develop and spearhead value engineering projects across the product category.

• Justify and secure the funding required for comprehensive packaging testing and deployment.

• Author and deliver technical and commercial summaries for internal distribution.

• Drive competitive advantage by exploring, assessing, and promoting technical breakthroughs, packaging design trends, and innovations. Track new developments from competitors and suppliers, reporting key insights to leadership as appropriate.

• Partner with Global Engineering to Plan, justify, and execute capital expenditure projects focused on packaging machinery and molds.

• Oversee and execute laboratory evaluations, quality control standard workflows, and the design of test methodologies. Collaborate with Divisional teams to identify defects and facilitate swift resolution.

• Partner with Global Toothbrush Division (GTD) Network Operations to support the development and negotiation of local, regional, or global vendor contracts. Assess and align vendor and contractor workflows for active projects.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Material Science or a related field.

• 4+ years of packaging experience in consumer products and packaged goods.

• Experience in either of these:Paperboard, paper, blister pack, thermoforming and distribution packaging.

• Ability to travel up to 20% time (domestic and international) based on project needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree.

• 7 - 9 years of experience in Packaging in FMCG.

• Experience coordinating packaging development projects with Product Development, (R&D), Marketing, Supply Chain & External Partners.

• Experience in package testing, ISTA, Recyclability testing, packaging specifications & artwork management.

• Strong communication and project management skills

• Awareness of packaging sustainability and applications

• Graphic design & decoration treatments knowledge are useful

• Quality processes and systems, tech transfer, audit skills

• CAD/CAE programs experience to create packaging designs and prototypes

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $96,800.00 - $137,000.00 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

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.

For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here (https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/content/dam/cp-sites/corporate/corporate/en_us/corp/locale-assets/pdf/colgate-terms-and-conditions-2023.pdf) .