Senior Packaging R&D Technologist - Innovation & Impact

The J.M. Smucker Company; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The J.M. Smucker Company is seeking a Senior Technologist, Packaging Research & Development, Pet in Orrville, OH.

You will lead packaging development from concept through commercialization, collaborating across Product R&D, Creative Services, Brand Management, Purchasing, and Suppliers to deliver innovative packaging solutions that protect quality and enhance sustainability. Join a hands-on, on-site team driving continuous improvement and sustainable packaging initiatives for iconic pet brands.

Qualifications

• BS degree in packaging or related technical field.
• 2+ years in packaging development or packaging engineering.
• Knowledge of packaging materials, technologies, and applications.
• Experience with plant and lab trials.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Product R&D, Creative Services, Brand Management, Purchasing, and Suppliers to bring new packaging concepts to life from the earliest design stages.
• Design and develop innovative packaging solutions using materials like film/laminate, thermoforming, injection molding, paperboard, and corrugated formats driven by consumer needs and business goals.
• Lead testing and validation of packaging performance across production, distribution, shelf life, sustainability, and consumer usability.
• Execute qualifications and trials with suppliers and production facilities, ensuring seamless integration into our manufacturing processes.
• Drive plant trials with precision planning, executing, analyzing, and summarizing results with manufacturing and technical teams.
• Craft performance-based specifications and manage them within our electronic database system.
• Advise and recommend top-tier suppliers and service providers to support successful product launches.
• Champion innovation by proposing new packaging technologies, sustainability solutions, cost-saving ideas, and creative problem solving.
• Support technical troubleshooting across the packaging supply chain and production environments.
• Learn to assess legal and environmental aspects, and patent opportunities for new packaging.
• Build strong relationships with strategic packaging suppliers to stay ahead of trends and capabilities.

Skills

Packaging materials knowledge

Qualification testing

Cross-functional collaboration

Plant and lab trials

Problem solving

Packaging line machinery familiarity

Education

Bachelor of Science in Packaging Science/Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Material Science

Tools

Electronic database systems

Packaging line machinery familiarity

Job description

The J.M. Smucker Company is seeking a Senior Technologist, Packaging Research & Development, Pet in Orrville, OH.

You will lead packaging development from concept through commercialization, collaborating across Product R&D, Creative Services, Brand Management, Purchasing, and Suppliers to deliver innovative packaging solutions that protect quality and enhance sustainability. Join a hands-on, on-site team driving continuous improvement and sustainable packaging initiatives for iconic pet brands.