Packaging Engineer Manager

diageo; Plainfield (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Diageo is seeking a Senior Packaging Engineer to lead packaging technical development and commercialization for strategic, complex projects, ensuring solutions are robust, manufacturable, scalable and delivered right first time.

You will translate brand and project requirements into packaging concepts, provide technical direction through the commercialization lifecycle, and coach early-career engineers while collaborating with Commercialization, Innovation/R&D, Procurement, Quality,

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging technical delivery for assigned strategic and complex projects from concept through commercialization and post-launch, ensuring solutions meet quality, performance, cost, manufacturing and consumer requirements
• Provide technical leadership in the development, qualification and commercialization of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging components, partnering with Packaging subject matter experts where deeper category expertise is required
• Lead packaging risk identification and technical problem-solving, proactively developing mitigation plans and escalating risks that could impact project timing, quality, cost or supply continuity
• Plan and execute packaging development activities including component qualification, testing, line trials and manufacturing validation to demonstrate readiness for commercialization
• Ensure packaging technical due diligence is completed at each commercialization lifecycle step and that technical decisions are supported by appropriate data, documentation and risk assessment
• Partner closely with manufacturing sites and suppliers to ensure packaging solutions are manufacturable at scale and technical requirements are understood before launch
• Build a high-performing Packaging Engineering team through coaching, development, technical mentorship, effective resource allocation and career growth support
• Provide technical guidance and escalation support to Packaging Engineers, helping the team solve complex issues while building capability and increasing independent technical ownership
• Manage engineering resources across the packaging project portfolio, balancing business priorities, project complexity, technical risk and individual development opportunities
• Champion continuous improvement across Packaging Commercialization by developing and implementing improved technical standards, tools, processes and best practices that increase speed, quality and first-time-r

Job description

Job Description :

About us

With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, Diageo is home to some of the world's most iconic drinks. From Johnnie Walker and Guinness to Tanqueray, Smirnoff and Don Julio, we craft brands chosen for life's moments - from everyday connections to landmark celebrations.

Bring your talent, curiosity and ambition, and strive for your personal best alongside people who challenge, support and learn from each other. Together, as one outstanding team, we keep learning, improving and raising the bar for our brands, our business and each other.

Join us and play your part in making life's moments mean a little more.

About the Function

Supply Chain & Manufacturing is where our brands are made, moved and delivered to the world.

With over half of our people working across more than 100 sites, this is a complex, large-scale operation that brings together production, logistics, engineering and supplier partnerships.

It's fast-paced and hands-on, with teams working together to ensure quality, efficiency and sustainability at every stage. From sourcing ingredients to getting products into customers' hands, you'll play a role in delivering the brands people know and love.

About this role

We're crafting iconic drinks chosen for life's moments, and this role sits at the center of how we deliver on that ambition, from innovation to renovation and supply optimization. Getting it right grows our brands and strengthens the business behind every glass. You'll partner with our Global Category Teams across a genuinely global business, and act as the voice of Supply within the team, helping us evaluate and prioritize the programs that matter most. We invest in your growth here, with structured coaching and a clear path to develop your career.

Job Summary:

• Lead packaging technical development and commercialization for strategic, complex and high-priority innovation, renovation and supply optimization projects, ensuring packaging solutions are robust, manufacturable, scalable and delivered right first time
• Serve as a senior technical leader within Packaging, translating project and brand requirements into packaging solutions and providing technical direction throughout the commercialization lifecycle
• Coach and develop early-career Packaging Engineers, building their technical capability, commercialization expertise and confidence to independently lead packaging workstreams
• Partner cross-functionally with Commercialization, Innovation/R&D, Procurement, Quality, Manufacturing, Brand and external suppliers to identify technical requirements, resolve packaging challenges and enable successful commercialization
• Ensure appropriate technical rigor and documentation throughout commercialization governance, including specifications, testing, trials, risk assessments and technical approvals
• Drive continuous improvement across Packaging Commercialization, strengthening technical standards, ways of working and organizational capability while improving speed to market and first-time-right execution

Top Accountabilities:

• Own packaging technical delivery for assigned strategic and complex projects from concept through commercialization and post-launch, ensuring solutions meet quality, performance, cost, manufacturing and consumer requirements
• Provide technical leadership in the development, qualification and commercialization of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging components, partnering with Packaging subject matter experts where deeper category expertise is required
• Lead packaging risk identification and technical problem-solving, proactively developing mitigation plans and escalating risks that could impact project timing, quality, cost or supply continuity
• Plan and execute packaging development activities including component qualification, testing, line trials and manufacturing validation to demonstrate readiness for commercialization
• Ensure packaging technical due diligence is completed at each commercialization lifecycle step and that technical decisions are supported by appropriate data, documentation and risk assessment
• Partner closely with manufacturing sites and suppliers to ensure packaging solutions are manufacturable at scale and technical requirements are understood before launch
• Build a high-performing Packaging Engineering team through coaching, development, technical mentorship, effective resource allocation and career growth support
• Provide technical guidance and escalation support to Packaging Engineers, helping the team solve complex issues while building capability and increasing independent technical ownership
• Manage engineering resources across the packaging project portfolio, balancing business priorities, project complexity, technical risk and individual development opportunities
• Champion continuous improvement across Packaging Commercialization by developing and implementing improved technical standards, tools, processes and best practices that increase speed, quality and first-time-r