Senior Packaging Engineer

Actalent; New Jersey; On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in New Jersey seeks a Senior Packaging Engineer to lead packaging development across brands, aligning with R&D, marketing and manufacturing to ensure safe, compliant, and high-quality packaging solutions. You will design tests, run trials, and coordinate with suppliers to advance innovative materials and formats.

The role requires strong project leadership, GMP/HACCP knowledge, and hands-on experience with flexible, rigid, paperboard and corrugated packaging from primary pack to pallet

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in the food packaging space with plant trials experience.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects from concept to commercialization.
• Experience with GMP and HACCP principles in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of packaging projects across brands from concept to commercialization.
• Plan and manage packaging development with R&D, marketing, and manufacturing.
• Conduct bench-top experiments, line trials, pilot and plant trials to validate performance.

Skills

Packaging engineering

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Plant trials

GMP/HACCP

Materials knowledge

Flexible packaging

Corrugated packaging

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Packaging Engineer

Job Description

The Senior Packaging Engineer leads the development and execution of packaging projects across multiple brands, guiding initiatives from initial concept through full-scale implementation. In this role, you plan and manage packaging development in alignment with R&D, marketing, and manufacturing requirements, conducting bench-top experimentation, pilot plant trials, and plant trials to validate performance. You ensure compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) requirements to safeguard product safety and quality. You leverage your technical expertise in materials, design principles, and manufacturing processes to create robust and visually appealing packaging solutions from primary pack to pallet level, while actively contributing to intellectual property development and supporting commercialization activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of packaging projects across multiple brands from concept through commercialization.
• Plan and manage packaging development activities in alignment with R&D, marketing, manufacturing, and other business requirements.
• Conduct bench-top experimentation to evaluate material properties, performance, and suitability for intended applications.
• Design, plan, and conduct analytical testing, line trials, pilot plant trials, and full-scale plant trials to validate packaging performance.
• Ensure adherence to good manufacturing practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) requirements to maintain product safety and quality.
• Lead plant trials for packaging materials, coordinating closely with Marketing, Procurement, Business Development, Production, Supply Chain, and Quality teams.
• Properly plan, coordinate, and document packaging trials, including preparing trial objectives, providing technical support, and troubleshooting issues during execution.
• Generate clear and comprehensive technical reports, analyze trial and test data, and make recommendations based on findings.
• Create and maintain technical specifications, die lines, artwork processes, and mockups for packaging initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships and ongoing communication with key packaging material vendors to support new concepts, materials, and quality improvements.
• Leverage and challenge suppliers and partners to develop new technologies and cost-advantaged, sustainable packaging formats and materials that support business goals.
• Generate, develop, and execute packaging ideas that utilize both existing equipment and new equipment to optimize performance and efficiency.
• Apply deep technical knowledge of flexible, rigid, paperboard, and corrugated materials to design packaging solutions from primary pack to pallet level.
• Communicate project status, risks, and results effectively to stakeholders across functions.
• Actively identify and support the protection of intellectual property related to packaging innovations.
• Troubleshoot issues arising from package development, line trials, and commercialization with limited supervision, ensuring timely resolution and continuous improvement.
• Manage packaging projects within cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment on timelines, deliverables, and objectives.
• Support commercialization of new packaging initiatives by ensuring smooth transition from development to full-scale production.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the food industry with a proven track record of executing successful plant trials for R&D.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects within cross-functional teams.
• Hands-on experience in the development, trials, and commercialization of packaging initiatives.
• Strong background working with flexible, rigid, paperboard, and corrugated packaging materials.
• Preferred experience in flexible film development and modified atmosphere packaging.
• Planning and project management abilities, including the ability to coordinate multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret test data and trial results and translate them into actionable recommendations.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills for resolving packaging, line trial, and commercialization issues with limited supervision.
• Experience creating and managing technical specifications, die lines, artwork processes, and packaging mockups.
• Technical expertise in packaging engineering and commercialization within the food industry.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.