Packaging Engineer Value Improvement and Sustainability

Ferrero; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 97,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Ferrero is seeking a Packaging Program Engineer to lead value improvement and sustainability initiatives across North America, including Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, and Keebler Cookies. This role reports to the R&D Packaging Sustainability and Value Improvement Manager and focuses on cost efficiency, operational excellence, and environmental impact reduction.

Based in Chicago, IL, the role collaborates with R&D, Operations, Procurement, and Global teams to promote

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Materials Science, or Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years in packaging development within the FMCG industry.
• Experience in sustainability-driven packaging design and data/reporting management.
• Excellent project management, problem-solving, and communication; able to lead cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Assess current packaging materials, designs, and processes for cost savings and environmental improvement.
• Co-lead ideation with production sites, suppliers, and cross-functional partners.
• Track and document optimization initiatives and report results to stakeholders.
• Develop tools, systems, and programs for visibility and data-driven decision-making.
• Co-lead sustainability initiatives across North America aligning with global policies and strategy.
• Pilot new packaging solutions to improve recyclability and efficiency.
• Monitor trends and technologies to identify cost-effective packaging strategies.
• Collect, analyze, and report packaging sustainability data for annual reporting and KPI tracking.
• Collaborate with R&D, Operations, Procurement, and Central Sustainability teams for best-practice sharing.

Skills

Packaging design

Sustainability reporting

Cross-functional leadership

MS Office

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's in Packaging, Materials Science, or Engineering

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

About the Role

We have a current opening for a Packaging Engineer – Value Improvement & Sustainability and are actively reviewing applications.

As a Packaging Program Engineer, you’ll lead Value Improvement and Sustainability initiatives across Ferrero’s North American portfolio — including iconic brands like Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, and Keebler Cookies.

Reporting to the R&D Packaging Sustainability and Value Improvement Manager, you’ll scope, evaluate, and manage key packaging programs that drive cost efficiency, operational excellence, and environmental impact reduction.

This role plays a pivotal part in Ferrero’s sustainability journey, helping ensure our packaging is Designed for Recycling, supporting data-driven decision-making, and advancing progress toward our global sustainability goals.

Main Responsibilities

• Assess current packaging materials, designs, and processes to identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiency gains, and environmental improvement without compromising quality or performance.
• Co-lead ideation sessions with production sites, suppliers, and cross-functional partners to generate, evaluate, and implement value improvement and cost-optimization projects.
• Track and document optimization initiatives, maintaining clear records and reporting results to stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment with business priorities.
• Develop tools, systems, and programs that enhance visibility, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making across teams.
• Co-lead and align packaging sustainability initiatives across North America, ensuring local execution reflects global policies, standards, and long-term strategy.
• Explore and pilot new packaging solutions and technologies that improve recyclability, operational efficiency, and overall consumer experience.
• Monitor emerging trends, technologies, and competitor practices to identify innovative and cost-effective packaging strategies that advance sustainability goals.
• Collect, analyze, and report packaging sustainability data to support annual reporting, KPI tracking, and performance assessments.
• Collaborate cross-functionally and globally with R&D, Operations, Procurement, and Central Sustainability teams to ensure best-practice sharing and consistent execution.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Materials Science, or Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in packaging development within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry.
• Strong knowledge of structural packaging design, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Proven experience in sustainability-driven packaging design and data/reporting management.
• Excellent project management, problem-solving, and communication skills; capable of leading cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and curious mindset — comfortable working in a global, fast-paced, and matrixed environment.
• Hands-on experience with MS Office Suite.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

As part of our recruitment process, Ferrero may use artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools to assist with reviewing candidate applications. These tools are used solely to support recruiters by summarizing application information and identifying potential alignment with job requirements. AI does not independently screen out or select candidates, and it does not replace human judgment. Final decisions regarding candidate progression are always made by Ferrero recruiters and hiring managers.

What We Offer

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here.

The base compensation range for this position is $96,708 - 128,944. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.

In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.

About Ferrero

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more at ferrero.com.

DE&I at Ferrero

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.

Find out more here.

Ferrero is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable human rights laws. Ferrero will recruit, hire, train, and promote all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or history of disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is not able to perform the essential functions of the position even with reasonable accommodations), citizenship, or any other protected characteristic.

Ferrero will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the People & Organization (HR) Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.