Senior Director, Packaging Engineering

CJ Schwan's; Hopkins (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive bonus

Car allowance

Job summary

CJ Schwan’s in Minnesota is seeking a Senior Director, Packaging Engineering to lead strategy, development, and technical performance of packaging materials across the U.S. food portfolio, driving innovation, sustainability, and product quality while partnering across the organization to bring new ideas to market.

Travel about 30% is required; the role requires a Bachelor's in Packaging Science or related field with 15+ years in packaging, with strong leadership, and deep knowledge of materials

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in packaging development, materials engineering, or a related discipline, including significant people leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading packaging innovation, commercialization, and cross-functional initiatives within the food industry.
• Experience supporting packaging performance in frozen food applications preferred, including manufacturing, distribution, storage, and consumer preparation.
• Strong technical expertise across flexible films, paperboard, corrugate, rigid packaging, trays, cartons, barrier materials, and packaging performance testing.
• Knowledge of food-contact regulations, packaging sustainability principles, and material qualification processes.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, project management, and technical problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the enterprise packaging materials strategy, driving innovation, renovation, productivity, and sustainability initiatives across our portfolio.
• Lead the selection, development, testing, and commercialization of packaging materials that ensure product quality, food safety, and performance throughout manufacturing, distribution, retail, and consumer use.
• Establish packaging standards, specifications, testing methodologies, and governance processes that deliver consistent performance across products and manufacturing sites.
• Partner with R&D, Operations, Procurement, Quality, Marketing, and external suppliers to identify and implement new materials, technologies, and packaging solutions.
• Drive packaging optimization efforts that reduce cost and complexity while maintaining product protection, operational efficiency, and consumer satisfaction.
• Champion sustainability initiatives, including material reduction, recyclability, and compliance with evolving customer and regulatory expectations.
• Build, develop, and inspire a high-performing team while providing strategic guidance and technical leadership across the organization.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related technical field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

At CJ Schwan's, we don't just make food, we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice to families gathering around favorite meals, our team members play an important role in bringing great food experiences to life. Our portfolio includes iconic brands such as Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony's®, Big Daddy's®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith's®. Through innovation, quality, and consumer-focused solutions, we continue to shape the future of food.

What You Will Do

As Senior Director, Packaging Engineering, you will lead the strategy, development, and technical performance of packaging materials across CJ Schwan's U.S. food portfolio. You'll build and advance packaging capabilities that protect product quality, support innovation, improve sustainability, and enhance the consumer experience while partnering across the organization to bring new ideas to market.

Travel: 30%

• Develop and lead the enterprise packaging materials strategy, driving innovation, renovation, productivity, and sustainability initiatives across our portfolio.
• Lead the selection, development, testing, and commercialization of packaging materials that ensure product quality, food safety, and performance throughout manufacturing, distribution, retail, and consumer use.
• Establish packaging standards, specifications, testing methodologies, and governance processes that deliver consistent performance across products and manufacturing sites.
• Partner with R&D, Operations, Procurement, Quality, Marketing, and external suppliers to identify and implement new materials, technologies, and packaging solutions.
• Drive packaging optimization efforts that reduce cost and complexity while maintaining product protection, operational efficiency, and consumer satisfaction.
• Champion sustainability initiatives, including material reduction, recyclability, and compliance with evolving customer and regulatory expectations.
• Build, develop, and inspire a high-performing team while providing strategic guidance and technical leadership across the organization.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related technical field; Master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in packaging development, materials engineering, or a related discipline, including significant people leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading packaging innovation, commercialization, and cross-functional initiatives within the food industry.
• Experience supporting packaging performance in frozen food applications preferred, including manufacturing, distribution, storage, and consumer preparation.
• Strong technical expertise across flexible films, paperboard, corrugate, rigid packaging, trays, cartons, barrier materials, and packaging performance testing.
• Knowledge of food-contact regulations, packaging sustainability principles, and material qualification processes.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, project management, and technical problem-solving skills.

What We Offer

The base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $250,000 annually, with eligibility for a 35% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance and car allowance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.

CJ Schwan’s and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. For accommodation requests or assistance with the application, please email [e-mail].