Senior Director, Packaging Engineering — Lead Innovation

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

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