Packaging Engineering Manager

Job purpose

This position is responsible for leading and executing both Idahoan's packaging innovation and sustainability ambitions across retail and foodservice. This is a critical role within the Idahoan business, reporting into the Senior Director - Procurement & Co-Manufacturing, supporting Marketing/Innovation on launching timely and sustainable packaging solutions, partnering directly with Procurement and R&D on cost optimization and design to value (DTV) programs, along with ownership of our sustainable packaging roadmap. This individual is experienced in the design, development, qualification, and validation of new packaging specifications, formats and suppliers (including co-manufacturing partners).The ideal candidate will be a critical thinker with exceptional communication, influencing, and relationship management skills who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You will be a key contributor to support the growth, innovation and sustainability ambitions of the business.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Idahoan's Packaging Sustainability Roadmap

• Lead and manage the technical packaging aspects of Idahoan's Innovation Pipeline

• Partnering with Procurement and QA, develop qualified, competitive sources of packaging supply, challenging specifications to create an ongoing competitive advantage for Idahoan

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and suppliers

• Innovative thinking and solution-oriented problem-solving skills. Knowledge of troubleshooting tools/techniques desired.

• Collaborate with cross functional stakeholders to understand and highlight business needs, insights, risks, and opportunities for our packaging portfolio

• Lead the Packaging Trial/Change Processes, providing support to internal manufacturing teams, and co-manufacturing partners, during the implementation of commercialization activities and packaging changes

• Take ownership of ambiguous problems to determine and prioritize optimal business strategies

• Demonstrated ability to implement 6 Month to multi-year strategic plans to support organizational operation and transformation, including capacity analysis and 'Make Vs Buy' scenarios

• Partners with Procurement & Operational Excellence Teams to identify and drive cost savings opportunities, looking both at individual component level as well as process improvements and manufacturing efficiency gains

• Participate and provide feedback in RFX processes, Supplier Scorecards, Quarterly & Annual Meetings

• Align with policies and procedures to further drive process controls and compliance

• Special projects as assigned

Qualifications/Required Skills

• BS in Packaging Science/Engineering, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent, advanced degree preferred.

• Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) Accreditation is preferred

• 5+ years of professional experience in Technical Packaging

• Must have experience in the development and execution of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging materials and have knowledge of the interrelationship with packaging equipment.

• Must have experience executing scale up activities; writing plant trial protocols, leading scale up trials at manufacturing sites, and completing trial reports with recommendations for manufacturing to deliver successful production of a finished good.

• Strong project management skills in developing project timelines with multiple cross-functional touchpoints (focus on Innovation and Sustainability).

• Familiarity with MRP/ERP, Topps (Pallets), Innovation Workflows, Bill of Materials etc

• Must have strong conceptual, analytical, and technical skills with excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Effective relationship building skills and a proven track record in maintaining good working relationship with cross functional business partners (Marketing & Innovation, Procurement, R&D/QA, Operations, etc.)

• Nimble business mind with a focus on developing creative solutions.

• Highly organized with great attention to detail and able to adapt quickly to changing priorities and unexpected requests.

Work Environment

• Willingness to travel up to 20% based on internal and external business needs

• This position is located in our Corporate Office in Idaho Falls

Alignment with Core Values of the Company

Respect & Value Our People

Stay in Front of Challenge While Reducing Costs

Delight Our Customers

Food Quality & Safety