Sr. Packaging Engineer

Utz Brands, Inc.; Hanover (York County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

401(k) with match

Wellness resources

Onsite gym

Career growth

Innovation culture

Job summary

Utz Brands, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Packaging Engineer to lead packaging development across our multi-brand portfolio.

You will drive design, specifications, and performance while serving as the technical authority for the packaging engineering team. The role partners with manufacturing, procurement, and R&D to optimize costs and drive innovations. Responsibilities include managing item development, providing lifecycle support from ideation to production, and interpreting test results to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science or related field.
• 5–7 years of experience in consumer-packaged goods; food/beverage preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging development, specs, and performance for multiple brands.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to commercialize packaging innovations.
• Manage new item development including packaging, sourcing, and pricing.
• Provide packaging lifecycle support from ideation to first production.
• Interpret test results to verify packaging specs and compliance.
• Assist with packaging equipment and supplier collaboration.

Skills

Packaging design

Cross-functional leadership

Process improvement

Critical thinking

Effective communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science

Job description

At Utz, we're driven by a passion for creating great-tasting snacks that consumers love. With more than 100 years of heritage and a growing portfolio of beloved brands including Utz®, Zapp's®, Boulder Canyon®, and On The Border®, we're redefining what it means to be a leading snacking company.

As one of the fastest-growing pure-play snack food companies in the U.S., we're looking for bold thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators who are ready to make an impact. If you're passionate about packaging innovation, sustainability, operational excellence, and bringing new ideas to life, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of our brands.

The Opportunity: Sr. Packaging Engineer

We are seeking a highly motivated Sr. Packaging Engineer to serve as a technical leader and strategic partner across our organization. In this role, you'll lead packaging development, sample requests, specifications, design, and performance across multiple company brands. Serving as the customer-facing technical expert for a broad product portfolio, this role shapes packaging strategy, identifies productivity opportunities, and recommends process improvements to department leadership. The position is also the technical authority for the packaging engineering team.

What You'll Do

• Perform peer review and coaching to drive right-first-time performance of department and to ensure accuracy of documentation that is delivered to customers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to commercialize packaging/product innovations.
• Manages new item development to include packaging, vendor sourcing, and initial pricing.
• In response to manufacturing/sales/customer requirements, development includes physical pack outs, bag/box/barrel sizing, palletization reports, and finalized packaging specs.
• Packaging lifecycle support – from ideation to first production.
• Creation of product + package assembly guides for internal/external manufacturing teams.
• Management of packaging projects with timely updates shared with other departments.
• Support automation, purchasing, value creation, and sustainability initiatives.
• Troubleshoot and test for packaging defects – work with manufacturing + supplier teams.
• Become an expert in the manufacturing facilities and capabilities on covered brands (supported by travel and plant visits as business need arise).
• Partner with Procurement to provide estimated costing for packaging components.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to discover packaging efficiencies and reduce downtime.
• Ability to interpret test results as needed to verify packaging specifications/compliance.
• Investigate new packaging technologies, formats, materials, systems, etc.
• Review current packaging specifications, design and performance.
• Work with engineering and Procurement on new packaging equipment and packaging specifications.

What You'll Bring

Education

• Bachelor’s degree, Packaging Science or Materials/Design related degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Experience

• 5 - 7 years’ experience in consumer-packaged goods required, food and beverage highly preferred.

Skills

• Knowledgeable in a wide range of packaging forms, including corrugated, injection blow-molded PET, paperboard, flexible films.
• Demonstrated leadership and team building competencies.
• Deep ability to think critically and exercise complex problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal skills.
• Able to be self-directed, forward thinking and make complex decisions that drive business innovation and performance.
• Comfort supporting recommendations and findings to manager and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent time and project management skills with proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple, concurrent projects.
• Technical rigor.

External Recruitment Process

• Easy Application (5 mins): Introduce yourself and answer a few key questions to get started.
• Engaging Chat Interview (20-25 mins): Share your experiences in an online chat, highlighting how your values align with ours.
• Live Interview: Selected candidates will meet with the hiring manager to explore their alignment with the team and overall Utz company culture.

Why Utz?

We believe in taking care of our people. Our benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Employer-matched 401(k) and profit sharing
• Wellness resources, support programs, onsite gym and healthcare center
• Career growth opportunities in a supportive, inclusive environment
• A culture built on innovation, teamwork, and recognition

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.