Senior Technologist, Packaging Research & Development, Pet

The J.M. Smucker Co.; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The J.M. Smucker Co. in Orrville, OH is seeking a Senior Technologist, Packaging R&D (Pet) to lead packaging development from concept to commercialization, focusing on protecting product quality, enhancing sustainability, and improving consumer experience.

You will collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing teams, drive continuous improvement, and advance eco-friendly packaging initiatives across iconic pet brands.

Qualifications

• BS in Packaging, Packaging Engineering, or related technical field.
• 2+ years in packaging development or packaging engineering.
• Knowledge of packaging materials, technologies, and applications.
• Understanding of basic package attributes and qualification test procedures.
• Experience collaborating across multifunctional boundaries in a dynamic project environment.
• Experience conducting plant and lab trials.
• Ability to travel 15% annually.

Responsibilities

• Work with team members and suppliers to identify options, evaluate features, and develop prototypes for new packaging to replace existing or for new products.
• Define and conduct package development fit-for-use testing to ensure readiness for product freshness, protection through distribution, and consumer use.
• Define and execute package testing, commissioning, and qualification for new packaging with suppliers and coffee production plants.
• Provide innovative ideas leading to the application of new packaging technologies for solving packaging challenges and optimization opportunities.
• Develop and approve performance-based specifications for packaging materials in PLM system.
• Support sustainable packaging activities, including leading eco-modulation projects to improve extended producer responsibility impact, enhancing recyclability of packaging materials and optimizing data tracking and reporting to meet regulatory requirements.

Skills

Packaging knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Plant and lab trials

Travel readiness

Packaging materials knowledge

Education

Bachelor of Science in Packaging/Packaging Engineering/Packaging Technology or related

Job description

Your Opportunity as the Senior Technologist, Packaging Research & Development, Pet

Shape the future of pet food packaging at Smucker! In this hands-on innovation role, you’ll develop and launch new packaging solutions that protect product quality, enhance sustainability, and deliver a better consumer experience. Working cross-functionally with suppliers and manufacturing teams, you’ll lead package development from concept and testing through commercialization while driving continuous improvement and sustainable packaging initiatives. If you’re passionate about packaging technology, problem-solving, and bringing new ideas to life, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on iconic pet brands.

Location: Orrville, OH

Work Arrangements: 100% onsite, M-F

In this role you will:

• Work with team members and suppliers toidentifyoptions, evaluate features, and develop prototypes for new packagingto replaceexistingorfornewproducts.
• Define and conduct package developmentfit-for-usetesting to ensuretechnicalreadiness for productfreshness,protection throughdistribution, and consumer use.
• Defineand execute packagetesting, commissioning, andqualification for new packagingwith suppliers and coffee production plants.
• Provide innovative ideas leading to the application of new packaging technologiesforsolving packaging related challengesandoptimizationopportunities.
• Develop and approveperformance basedspecificationsfor packaging materialsinPLMsystem.
• Support sustainable packaging activities, including:leading eco-modulation projects to improve extended producer responsibility impact, enhancing recyclability of packaging materials and optimizingdata tracking and reporting to meet regulatory requirements.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Packaging, Packaging Engineering, or Packaging Technology, or related technical degree
• 2+ years of experience in packaging development or packaging engineering
• Knowledge ofpackaging materials, technologies, andapplications
• Understanding ofbasic package attributes andqualification test procedures
• Experience collaborating acrossmulti-functionaland discipline boundaries in a dynamic project environment
• Experience conducting plant and lab trials
• Ability to travel 15% annually depending on project needs

Additional skills and experiences that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Experience in the food or beverage industry
• Familiaritywith packing line machinery and equipment (ex: flexible pouch, bagging, rigidcontainerfillingand sealing, case packing etc.)

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TheRight Placefor You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

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We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.