Packaging Engineering Manager

LaSalle Network; Bellwood (IL); On-site; USD 102,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Financial wellness benefits

PTO

Job summary

LaSalle Network is seeking a Manager of Packaging Engineering to lead a team responsible for the design, testing, and commercialization of packaging solutions across a diverse confection and fruit snack portfolio.

This role requires a strong technical leader with experience in food packaging, CPG, or related fast-paced environments. Onsite in Chicago, IL, with frequent cross-functional collaboration and strategic planning responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• 5+ years in packaging engineering, development, or related area.
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing technical teams.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, testing, and commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Packaging Engineers.
• Set priorities and provide strategic direction for development and commercialization.
• Oversee design, testing, qualification, and implementation of packaging solutions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Marketing, and suppliers.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Packaging knowledge

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

SAP

PLM

Job description

Salary: USD102000 - USD142905 per year

Our client is seeking a Manager, Packaging Engineering to lead and develop a team of Packaging Engineers while driving the design, development, testing, and commercialization of packaging solutions across a diverse confection and fruit snack portfolio. This role provides strategic and technical leadership across packaging innovation, sustainability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, partnering closely with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Marketing, and external suppliers.

The ideal candidate is a strong technical and people leader with experience in packaging engineering, packaging development, or a related field within food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or a similar fast-paced environment. This individual should be comfortable balancing team leadership and strategic planning with hands-on technical problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Packaging Engineers, fostering a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Set team priorities, manage workloads, and provide strategic direction for packaging development and commercialization activities.
• Oversee the design, testing, qualification, and implementation of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions.
• Partner cross-functional with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Marketing, and external suppliers to support new product launches and packaging innovation.
• Drive packaging innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and consumer experience.
• Identify and evaluate new packaging technologies, materials, and supplier capabilities to support business objectives.
• Provide technical expertise and recommendations to leadership and key stakeholders on packaging-related opportunities and challenges.
• Support packaging development and commercialization activities from concept through implementation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve packaging-related technical and manufacturing challenges.
• Ensure packaging solutions meet consumer, business, quality, and manufacturing requirements.
• Utilize SAP and PLM systems to support packaging development and commercialization activities.
• Manage team performance, development, and resource allocation to ensure successful execution of packaging initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in packaging engineering, packaging development, or a related field.
• Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing technical teams.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, testing methods, and commercialization activities.
• Experience working in a food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or similar fast-paced environment preferred.
• Experience with SAP and PLM systems.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Strong technical problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and effectively communicate recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of packaging innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement principles.
• Primarily onsite in Chicago, IL, due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of the role.
• In-person attendance is expected for most of the workweek, generally 3 or more days per week, to support effective communication, team supervision, real-time problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration.

Compensation: $102,075-$142,905 annually

Bonus: Eligible to earn an annual bonus based on company performance

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision,and financial wellness benefits and paid time off (PTO)

Kelly Wagner

Director

LaSalle Network

#LI-KO1

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