Senior Packaging Engineer, R&D

Tropicana Brands Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 91,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Tropicana Brands Group seeks a Senior Packaging Engineer to join its R&D team in Chicago. The role involves managing packaging projects, optimizing processes, and ensuring compliance with nutritional standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in packaging development, strong analytical skills, and a commitment to innovation in sustainable packaging solutions.

Benefits

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Company provided life insurance

STD and LTD insurance

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in packaging development roles.
• Strong track record in complex, cross-functional organizations.
• Proven project management skills with multiple cross-functional touchpoints.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute multiple simultaneous packaging projects.
• Support cost savings opportunities and implementation of packaging changes.
• Design and execute package testing and evaluations.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science/Engineering, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Tropicana Brands Group is a $3B startup aiming to revolutionize the beverage category. Formed in 2022 as a joint venture between PAI Partners and PepsiCo, our portfolio includes iconic brands like Tropicana, Naked, KeVita, Izze, Copella, and Punica. With over 76 years of global leadership in the orange juice category, we’re committed to preserving this legacy while driving innovation in other areas. From reimagining orange juice to creating functional smoothies and driving afternoon refreshments, we are striving to become the undisputed global leader in fresh and chilled beverages.

The Research & Development (R&D) team drives innovation, product development, and technological advancements across its juice and beverage portfolio. Focused on creating unique flavors, enhancing nutritional value, and improving formulations, the team ensures products meet evolving consumer preferences. They lead projects from concept to launch, ensuring efficient execution while aligning with business goals. Committed to sustainability, they develop innovative packaging solutions that are biodegradable, recyclable, and environmentally friendly. Additionally, they uphold rigorous nutritional science and regulatory standards, validating health claims and ensuring compliance. With a strong emphasis on food safety, quality, and process engineering, the team optimizes manufacturing systems to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and maintain product excellence. Collaborating closely with scientists, nutritionists, and engineers, Tropicana’s R&D team plays a crucial role in keeping products competitive, sustainable, and aligned with market demands.

Your Next Pour: The Opportunity

We are looking to add a Senior Packaging Engineer to our R&D team. The ideal candidate will be open to stretching within the R&D function and will develop a broad skill set and critical experiences in this role. An ability to create "go to market" solutions that deliver products efficiently via multiple distribution platforms and maintain a current understanding of packaging technologies, processes, and material sustainability, as well as technology developments within the packaging industry is expected. The candidate will be required to transfer technology within internal plants and co-packers to optimize overall system cost and efficiency. Tropicana is looking for a critical thinker with exceptional communication, influencing and relationship management skills who thrives in a fast-paced environment. Additional responsibilities include:

• Manages and executes multiple simultaneous packaging projects with minimal supervision.
• Maintains open communication and builds strong relationships with internal & external teams from cross functional partners to suppliers.
• Innovative thinking and solution-oriented problem-solving skills. Knowledge of troubleshooting tools/techniques desired.
• Participate as an active member of cross-functional business development teams comprised of individuals from a variety of disciplines, including Marketing, Purchasing, Engineering and other groups.
• Support the identification and implementation of cost savings opportunities, looking both at individual component level as well as process improvements and manufacturing efficiency gains.
• Design and execute package testing and evaluation, including production line trials, to validate packaging performance.
• Provide support to manufacturing during the implementation of commercialization activities and packaging changes.
• Builds, maintains, and leverages external network of material and equipment vendors and co-manufacturing partners.

The Perfect Blend: Experience

• 4+ years of experience in packaging development roles, ideally in the high-volume food or consumers goods industries.
• Must have experience in the development and execution of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging materials, and have knowledge of the interrelationship with equipment.
• Must have 4+ years’ experience executing scale up activities; writing trial protocols, leading qualification and scale up trials at manufacturing sites, and completing trial reports with recommendations for manufacturing to deliver successful production of a finished good.
• Strong track record of identifying opportunities, setting priorities, and delivering results in complex, cross-functional organization.
• Strong project management skills in developing project timelines with multiple cross-functional touchpoints.
• Must have conceptual, analytical, and technical skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science/Engineering, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, or related field required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future
• Must be located in Chicago, Illinois, surrounding area, or willing to relocate for the duration of employment.
• Willingness to adapt and thrive in a blended work environment with 3-days in office, seamlessly transitioning between remote work and in-office operations.
• Must be able to lift product cases unassisted at plant trials and prepare pallets for testing.
• Must be able to work on foot for extended periods of time.
• Travel up to 25%

Perks That Pack a Punch

TBG is pleased to offer you a comprehensive benefits package which includes a 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision,company provided life, STD and LTD insurance. In addition, you may also elect to participate in voluntary life, accident, hospital, and critical illness coverages.

The salary range for this position is $91,000 - $110,000.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.