Senior Packaging Engineer - Packaging Design/Development

mars; United States; On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mars University access

Company bonus

Job summary

Mars Snacking Accelerator is seeking a Senior Packaging Engineer based in Chicago, IL. You will own packaging development and optimization across iconic brands, driving hands-on innovations, rebranding initiatives, and value leadership projects.

Lead critical supplier transitions, run line trials, and manage qualification activities for granola and bar portfolios. You will bring deep packaging materials knowledge, strong project management, and a willingness to travel up to 40% to support

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hands-on, concept-to-launch packaging experience in consumer goods.
• Proven track record in technical qualification and plant start-ups, with experience executing trial plans and qualification runs on manufacturing lines.
• Deep technical expertise in packaging materials and equipment, with the ability to build robust packaging specifications from scratch.
• Strong project management skills, with experience developing technical timelines, managing risk assessments, and coordinating supplier deliverables.
• Entrepreneurial 'Test & Learn' mindset with ability to challenge the status quo, make decisions quickly, and align across teams.
• Academic foundation: a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Travel flexibility: travel approximately 30-40% to plants, co-manufacturers, and supplier locations.

Responsibilities

• Lead Package Development: scope, prototype, test, and validate packaging materials and formats across the BFY portfolio.
• Drive Commercialization & Trials: plan and execute pilot runs and line trials at internal plants and co-manufacturers.
• Author Specifications: develop detailed technical specifications for all packaging components.
• Manage Supplier Partnerships: manage relationships with packaging suppliers to source materials and qualify new partners.
• Execute Technical Governance: build trial plans, risk assessments, and contingency options for complex programs.
• Champion Process & Mentorship: mentor junior engineers and evolve packaging technical practices.
• Collaborate Cross-Functional: work with Marketing, Procurement, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply chain teams.

Skills

Packaging engineering

Project management

Supplier management

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical governance

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Packaging Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Job Description

Senior Packaging Engineer

Location: Chicago, IL (Wells St. Office)

Segment: Mars Snacking Accelerator (Better-For-You Business Unit)

Brands Supported: KIND, RXBAR, Special K Bars, Nutri-Grain Bars, Kashi, and Pure Organics

Manager: Director, R&D Packaging

Direct Reports: N/A

The Opportunity

Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is on the front line of unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands to fuel what's next for Snacking. It's home to both emerging and enduring brands, including KIND, TRÜ FRÜ, NATURE'S BAKERY, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TAPTS and RICE KRISPIE TREATS. Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a start-up, our Division has the ambition to accelerate the future of snacking by delivering products consumers love today, discovering category-shaping innovations for tomorrow and developing entrepreneurial teams whose impact will last for generations.

We're looking for passionate talent who dare to dream big, agile collaborators who talk straight and decide fast, and driven performers with a growth mindset. We're proudly part of Mars, while also building something boldly different. If this inspires and energizes you, you've found the right place where you can do cool things with fun people for one of the biggest snacking companies in the world!

As our Senior Packaging Engineer within the Better-For-You (BFY) business unit, you will be the driving force behind the development and optimization of packaging across iconic brands like KIND, RXBAR, Special K, Nutri-Grain, Kashi, and Pure Organics. Operating from our Chicago office on Wells St., you will take hands-on ownership of high-impact innovation, rebranding projects, and business-critical value leadership initiatives. In your first six months, you will hit the ground running by leading critical supplier transitions, managing line trials, and driving packaging qualifications for our granola and bar portfolios-bringing deep technical rigor and fresh energy to our collaborative te am.

What are we looking for?

• 6+ years of hands-on, concept-to-launch packaging experience in consumer goods (previous experience in food packaging or highly matrixed environments is preferred).
• Proven track record in technical qualification and plant start-ups , with experience executing trial plans and qualification runs on manufacturing lines.
• Deep technical expertise in packaging materials and equipment , with the ability to build robust packaging specifications from scratch.
• Strong project management skills , with experience developing technical timelines, managing risk assessments, and coordinating supplier deliverables.
• An entrepreneurial "Test & Learn" mindset with a demonstrated ability to challenge the status quo, make decisions quickly, and build alignment across cross-functional teams.
• Academic Foundation: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a highly related technical field.
• Travel Flexibility: Ability and willingness to travel approximately 30-40% to manufacturing plants, co-manufacturers, and supplier locations.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Lead Package Development: Direct the scoping, prototyping, testing, and validation of innovative packaging materials and formats across the BFY portfolio (KIND, RXBAR, Special K Bars, Nutri-Grain Bars, Kashi, and Pure Organics).
• Drive Commercialization & Trials: Plan and execute pilot runs, packaging line trials, and technical qualifications at internal plants, co-packers and co-manufacturers.
• Author Specifications: Develop and manage highly accurate, detailed technical specifications for all packaging components to ensure quality, value, and seamless plant execution.
• Manage Supplier Partnerships: Directly manage technical relationships with packaging suppliers to source materials, evaluate capabilities, and qualify new partners.
• Execute Technical Governance: Build and execute rigorous trial plans, risk assessments, and contingency options for complex innovation and renovation programs.
• Champion Process & Mentorship: Act as a technical mentor to junior engineers, driving modern packaging solutions and evolving our technical ways of working.
• Collaborate Cross-Functional: Serve as the core R&D Packaging lead to collaborate seamlessly with Marketing, Procurement, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply chain teams.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

#Marsjobs #LI-LD1 #LI-Onsite

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not