Senior Packaging Engineer

UTZ Quality Foods is seeking a Senior Packaging Engineer to join our team in Hanover, PA. Reporting to the Director, Packaging Development, this position will be responsible for overseeing packaging development formats, sample requests, packaging specifications, and the design and performance of all packaging for several brands within the company. This position will serve as the customer technical expert across a broad range of products and play a key role in defining packaging strategy and identifying gaps. The Sr. Packaging Engineer will provide feedback to department leaders on process improvements and is regarded as the technical expert for the packaging engineering team.

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in Packaging Science or a Materials/Design related degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience. 5+ years' experience in consumer-packaged goods is required (food and beverage experience is highly preferred). Applicants must be knowledgeable in a wide range of packaging forms, including corrugated, injection blow-molded PET, paperboard, flexible films. Demonstrated leadership and team building competencies, as well as the ability to make complex decisions that drive business innovation and performance is required. The successful candidate must be comfortable supporting recommendations and findings to managers and cross-functional teams.

Senior Packaging Engineer:

• Perform peer review and coaching to drive right-first-time performance of department and to ensure accuracy of documentation that is delivered to customers.

• 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.

• Generation of product + package assembly guides for external 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 arises).

• Provide estimated costing for films, cartons, 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree; Packaging Science or Materials/Design related degree is required.

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

• 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.

• Comfortable 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.

Spreading Joy Through Food!

Here at Utz, we have a passion for food that our associates enjoy creating, our customers value selling, and our consumers love eating. Our renowned family of brands includes Utz, Zapp's, Boulder Canyon, and On the Border. We provide a supportive, caring and inclusive environment that offers opportunities for career growth and advancement. We believe it is important to help take care of our associates by providing benefits, resources, and programs that ensure they live their healthiest lives. Our benefit package includes medical, dental, and vision plans, an employer match 401k, profit sharing plan, employee stock purchase plan and much more. Join OneUtzTeam and help us spread joy through food for generations to come!

An 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.