Packaging Dev Engineer II

Quality Custom Distribution; Arkansas City (KS); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

KanPak is seeking a Packaging Engineer II to develop, optimize, and improve packaging systems in a high-speed food manufacturing environment. You will lead packaging line performance and ensure solutions are safe, compliant, cost-effective, and visually appealing while meeting manufacturing standards.

You will drive prototype designs, conduct trials, collaborate across functions, manage audits, and support labeling and BOM maintenance. Up to 25% travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in packaging engineering from an accredited college or university.
• 3 to 6 years of relevant work experience.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; customer interaction preferred.

Responsibilities

• Recommend packaging options, analyze costs, and plan implementations.
• Lead prototype packaging design and evaluate materials for safety and cost.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to meet internal standards and client needs.
• Conduct packaging audits, define specifications, and approve materials.
• Support labeling, artwork approvals, and maintain packaging documentation.
• Travel up to 25% as needed.

Skills

Packaging technologies

Package engineering

Lab equipment

Food safety

Statistical analysis

Regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Project collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in packaging engineering

Tools

BOM systems

Drawing software

Job description

Description

KanPak®, a Golden State Foods company, is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of beverage, yogurt, and dessert solutions. Aseptic technology is core to many of our products, allowing them to ship and store without refrigeration for up to 12 months. From coffee beverages and creamers to yogurt, frozen desserts, and specialty beverages, KanPak delivers innovative solutions supported by state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing and exceptional customer service.

About the Role:

KanPak is seeking a Packaging Engineer II to develop, optimize, and improve packaging systems in a high-speed food manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for ensuring packaging solutions are safe, compliant, cost-effective, and visually appealing while meeting KanPak’s manufacturing, quality, and customer service standards. The Packaging Engineer will lead packaging line performance and reliability initiatives using data-driven analysis, root-cause problem solving, and continuous improvement tools to increase throughput, reduce waste, and protect product quality.

What You'll Do:

• Provides recommendations to management on new and modified packaging options, including evaluating packaging needs; analyzing alternatives; setting specifications and standards; developing cost analyses and preparing an implementation plan to ensure the safe, convenient, cost-effective and attractive transport of goods under a variety of conditions.


• Drives the development of prototype systems and package designs by defining tasks, assessing risks, establishing parameters, identifying materials and analyzing transporting methods to prevent potential damage or contamination of shipments and to ensure compliance with GSF standards.


• Works cross-functionally and with customer to identify packaging requirements that align to internal standards and provides optimal solutions for the customer.


• Manages and provides requirements, conducts primary and secondary packaging audits, including conducting packaging trials, setting specifications needed for incoming and finished packaging materials, and establishing pallet configurations to ensure compliance with GSF safety and quality standards and business objectives.


• Partners with project management, operational personnel and food scientists to support commercialization of new items.


• Supports the label creation process. Gathers internal and external approval and maintains library of approved artwork.


• Creates and maintains packaging specifications, customer specifications, drawings and bill of materials in external and internal systems.


• Supports projects related to operational and purchasing effectiveness. Partners with Quality team to aid in the resolution of concerns.


• Supports benchmark studies of industry packaging capabilities in order to identify most effective and efficient approaches for GSF.


• Performs other related and assigned duties as necessary.


• Up to 25% travel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and experience equivalent to:

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in packaging engineering from an accredited college or university

Experience:

• 3 to 6 years of relevant work experience.


• Must have good written and oral communication skills


• Experience in interacting with customers a significant plus but not a requirement.

Knowledge of (B/basic; J/journey; E/expert):

• Existing and emerging packaging technologies (J)


• Package engineering (J)


• Lab equipment operation and maintenance (J)


• Raw materials/product interaction (J)


• Food safety concepts and techniques (B)


• Food processing equipment and techniques (J)


• Management concepts and techniques (B)


• Relevant division or department policies and regulations (J)


• Statistical process control concepts and data analysis (J)


• Regulatory requirements for packaging and labeling (J)


• Technical characteristics of packaging and measurement techniques (J)


• Experimental design (J)


• Safety (J)


• PC word processing/spreadsheet software applications (J)

Skill and ability to:

• Conduct benchmark studies of relevant packaging technologies


• Interpret packaging systems anomalies or irregularities and identify appropriate solutions

• Read and interpret documents such as safety rules.


• Apply working knowledge of mathematical concepts and scientific weights and measures.Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.


• Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.


• Communicate and coordinate effectively with internal and external customers verbally and in writing


• Speak confidently and effectively before groups of customers or employees of GSF.


• Read and process written information with a high degree of accuracy


• Work effectively in a general business environment, with focus on quality and customer service


• Act in accordance with GSF’s Values and Creed

Why Join KanPak

• Opportunity to work in a dynamic, high-speed food manufacturing environment


• High level of cross-functional collaboration and visibility


• Ability to make a direct impact on product quality, efficiency, and innovation

Comp: $85,000- $90,000 + Bonus

WHY JOIN US

Golden State Foods (GSF) is one of the largest diversified suppliers in the food industry, manufacturing a range of products including sauces, dressings, condiments, syrups, and toppings for leading restaurant and retail brands.

Join GSF and grow your career with a global food industry leader who:

• People First: At Golden State Foods, we're not just a company; we're a dynamic community where your talents are celebrated, and your ambitions are nurtured.


• Values Driven: Our core values drive everything we do, creating a culture of innovation, integrity, and excellence. But we're not content with just being great; we strive for greatness in every aspect of our work.


• People Development: At GSF we strive to continually develop our people to prepare us all for the needs of tomorrow.


• Philanthropy & Sustainability: We're committed to making a difference beyond our walls through philanthropy and sustainability efforts across all our locations around the globe.


• Extensive Benefits: Golden State Foods believes in a holistic approach to wellness focusing on the whole person with benefits that support those needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our company values diverse perspectives and is committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace where every person is supported and empowered to thrive.

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