Senior Engineer/Manager- Packaging Innovation

Colgate-Palmolive; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Paid parental leave

15 vacation days and 13 paid holidays

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive is seeking a Senior Packaging Engineer in Piscataway, New Jersey to develop advanced packaging concepts. This role focuses on leveraging consumer packaging trends and technologies, collaborating closely with marketing and product development.

Qualified candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering and at least 6 years of relevant experience. The position offers a competitive salary range of $110,000 to $145,000 USD with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and paid parental leave.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience in packaging, consumer goods, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals.
• Experience converting package design ideas into workable prototypes.
• Strong understanding of financial components of packaging.

Responsibilities

• Manage cross-category package development programs and sustainability initiatives.
• Scout external packaging innovation ideas and partner closely with marketing.
• Drive fast ‘test-and-learn’ through rapid prototyping.

Skills

Packaging Development

Consumer Insights Connection

Rapid Prototyping

Ergonomics Understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering

Tools

3D CAD

FEA Simulation

Job description

No Relocation Assistance Offered

Job Number #173399 - Piscataway, New Jersey, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name.

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

Summary

The Senior Packaging Engineer in Packaging Innovation develops new & advanced packaging concepts to support the innovation pipeline. The position is part of the Global Packaging Innovation R&I group within Colgate-Palmolive's Global Packaging function.

This Senior Packaging Engineer role focuses on identifying and expanding the opportunities for packaging to deliver superior end-to-end, people-centered experiences as a springboard for growth and profitability. Keys to success are leveraging existing and emerging consumer packaging trends, technologies, and methodologies. The role is cross-functional, working very closely with Marketing, Product Development, Design, Supply Chain and other packaging engineers on the Divisional & Global Category Packaging teams to deliver results. This role will be working with 3D CAD + 3D printing, packaging molding and developing packaging using a wide variety of materials and technologies: Printing, Cartons, Films and Laminates, rigid containers and corrugate systems and more. Additionally, the role will cultivate external partnerships with new and existing packaging suppliers to deliver new packaging.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for creating and managing cross-category package development programs, new innovations, and sustainability initiatives.
• Create and manage the development of new & advanced packaging concepts.
• Scout externally sourced Packaging innovation ideas from current and new suppliers, keeping a keen eye on fledgling companies. Engage and partner with Global Procurement.
• Partner very closely with Marketing and Consumer Insights to identify opportunities to explore new Packaging concepts.
• Contribute meaningfully in the Design stage of New Product Development, focusing primarily on Consumer needs, then later serve as the primary engineer responsible for solving technical challenges.
• Recognize the value of ergonomics in Packaging design and in-use experience and keep at the center of development.
• Understand rapid prototyping to drive fast ‘test-and-learn.’ Embrace iterative development and be comfortable with learning from failure.
• Have a solid understanding of the technical elements of Packaging, but not be bound by the current state of the industry.
• Understand the financial components of Packaging and Colgate-Palmolive’s cost structure to guide development. Generate and present valid Total Delivered Cost information on package/process and other pertinent financial information.
• Overcome hurdles on project direction.
• Independently and proactively manage timelines to ensure fastest possible project timing. Feel accountability to deliver against initiatives.
• Identify and provide rationale for funds needed to successfully deliver project goals and operate within project budgets.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related Engineering field.
• 6+ years experience in Packaging and consumer goods, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical industry with some focus on development.
• Experience in connecting technology possibilities with consumer insights in a way to illuminate new package design opportunities.
• Experience with improvising and converting a new package design idea into a workable prototype which allows potential internal customers to understand and evaluate the value of the innovation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Packaging Engineering, or a related Engineering field.
• Builds and leverages internal and external partnerships to generate new ideas and quickly identify and develop new packaging solutions.
• Demonstrates and encourages creativity and flexibility by thinking beyond current practices.
• Experience developing packaging using a wide variety of materials and technologies: Printing, Cartons, Films and Laminates, Rigid containers and corrugate systems.
• Exposure to FEA (Finite Elements Analysis) simulation.

Compensation And Benefits

Salary Range $110,000.00 - $145,000.00 USD. Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit‑sharing, and long‑term incentives for Executive‑level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.

For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.