Packaging Science Lead: Cold-Chain & Innovation

HelloFresh; Goodyear (AZ); On-site; USD 170,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K company match

Generous PTO

Health benefits

HelloFresh subscription discount

Employee Resource Groups

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

HelloFresh is seeking an Associate Director of Packaging Science to lead development, qualification, and optimization of packaging for fresh food delivery. You will bridge packaging engineering, cold-chain, food safety, quality, logistics, and supplier management to protect product integrity while balancing cost and sustainability.

In this role, you will define standards, specifications, and testing protocols; drive supplier relationships; and lead innovative, recyclable packaging initiatives

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years in packaging/science/engineering or related technical field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science, Packaging Engineering, Food Science, Materials Science or related; advanced degree preferred.
• Deep expertise in packaging materials and structures (corrugated, paperboard, films, insulation, seals).
• Strong knowledge of temperature-controlled distribution and time-temperature profiles.
• Experience developing packaging specifications, standards, qualification protocols, test methods.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical framework and specifications for packaging systems used to ship perishable food from fulfillment through the customer’s doorstep.
• Define and maintain packaging standards, technical specifications, drawings, performance requirements, qualification protocols, and acceptance criteria.
• Define and validate thermal requirements for insulated shippers, liners, refrigerants, and packaging configurations across conditions.
• Lead packaging qualification and validation programs from laboratory testing to post-launch validation.
• Partner with Food Safety and Quality to prevent contamination, leakage, temperature excursions, product damage, and loss of product integrity.
• Lead development and commercialization of innovative, sustainable packaging solutions.
• Establish supplier technical requirements, qualification processes, and change-control procedures.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Logistics, Procurement, Sustainability, R&D, and Customer Experience to translate requirements into scalable solutions.
• Develop governance systems, packaging risk assessments, test standards, failure/RCA procedures, and dashboards.
• Drive continuous improvement using data to improve packaging reliability, cost, and customer experience.

Skills

Packaging science

Thermal testing

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science/Engineering or related

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

HelloFresh is seeking an Associate Director of Packaging Science to lead development, qualification, and optimization of packaging for fresh food delivery. You will bridge packaging engineering, cold-chain, food safety, quality, logistics, and supplier management to protect product integrity while balancing cost and sustainability.

In this role, you will define standards, specifications, and testing protocols; drive supplier relationships; and lead innovative, recyclable packaging initiatives