Senior Packaging Engineer

Colgate-Palmolive; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid parental leave

401(k) retirement plan with company matching

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive in Topeka, Kansas, is seeking an experienced packaging engineer to lead the development of packaging concepts focused on consumer insights. The role involves driving innovation through emerging trends and technologies while ensuring environmental responsibility. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 5+ years of experience in packaging development, as well as a strong project management background. Comprehensive benefits package and salary between $120,000 and $135,000 offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field.
• 5+ years of engineering experience in a global food or fast moving consumer goods company.
• At least two years of specialized experience in packaging development.
• Strong project management skills with a proven ability to independently manage timelines and deliver on multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Must provide a portfolio containing non‑confidential packaging projects showcasing direct experience in the development process.

Responsibilities

• Proactively assesses packaging opportunities from new and emerging suppliers.
• Partners with Marketing and Consumer Insights to prioritize ergonomics and user needs.
• Employs rapid prototyping to drive a fast 'test-and-learn' environment.
• Manages the financial components of development by generating accurate Total Delivered Cost data.
• Delivers evidence‑based recommendations for packaging changes balancing desirability and feasibility.

Job description

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country

Job Number #173295 - Topeka, Kansas, 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.

In this role, you will lead the development of primary and secondary packaging concepts rooted in deep consumer insights to deliver superior, people‑centered experiences. You will drive growth and profitability by identifying and expanding opportunities through emerging consumer trends, breakthrough technologies, and innovative methodologies. The primary objective of this position is to navigate the end‑to‑end development cycle—from identifying opportunity spaces through prototyping and scale‑up—ensuring every solution is both consumer‑centric and environmentally responsible.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Innovation Scouting: Proactively assesses packaging opportunities from new and emerging suppliers while collaborating with Procurement to evaluate the viability and business impact of proposed concepts.
• People‑Centered Design: Partners with Marketing and Consumer Insights to prioritize ergonomics and user needs in the design phase, serving as the lead engineer responsible for solving complex technical challenges as projects progress.
• Rapid Prototyping & Iteration: Employs rapid prototyping to drive a fast "test‑and‑learn" environment, embracing iterative development and learning from failures to accelerate the innovation pipeline.
• Financial & Cost Modeling: Manages the financial components of development by generating accurate Total Delivered Cost (TDC) data and providing the rationale for funding required to meet project goals.
• Sustainable Decision Support: Delivers evidence‑based recommendations for packaging changes that balance consumer desirability with technical feasibility, cost‑efficiency, and end‑of‑life sustainability trade‑offs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field.
• 5+ years of engineering experience in a global food or fast moving consumer goods company.
• At least two years of specialized experience in packaging development.
• Strong project management skills with a proven ability to independently manage timelines and deliver on multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Must provide a portfolio containing non‑confidential packaging projects showcasing direct experience in the development process.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Packaging, Engineering, or Industrial Design.
• Foundational understanding of packaging sustainability concepts, specifically regarding design‑to‑disposal trade‑offs.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate cross‑functional teams and find pathways to advance projects despite high levels of uncertainty or ambiguity.
• Deep curiosity and openness to experimenting with new tools, methods, and emerging technologies beyond current industry practices.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $120,000.00 - $135,000.00 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 if you require accommodation.