Packaging Engineer

Utz Quality Foods is currently seeking a Packaging Engineer to join our team. Reporting to the Director of Packaging,

the successful candidate will assume leadership responsibilities for packaging development formats, sample requests, packaging specifications, and the design and performance of all packaging for several brands within the company.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in Packaging Science or Materials/Design related degree. Candidates should possess 3-5 years of experience in consumer-packaged goods and be knowledgeable in a wide range of packaging forms (corrugated, injection blow-molded PET, paperboard, flexible films). Candidates must also possess demonstrated leadership and team building competencies as well as the ability to think critically.

Packaging Engineer:

• 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
• Ability to design and source packaging ideas in various formats (Corrugated, Rigid Plastic, Thermoforming, Paperboard, Flexibles, etc)
• Generation of product + package assembly guides for external teams
• Management of packaging projects with timely updates shared with other departments, including: marketing, engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, innovation, and suppliers
• 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 on new packaging equipment and packaging specifications

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree; Packaging Engineers, Packaging Science or related degree is required
• 3-5 years' experience in consumer packaged goods, preferably food and beverage industry.
• Experience working with packages using flexible films, corrugated, paperboard, rigid plastic.
• Demonstrated project leadership and team partnership competencies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skill.s
• 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.

Our Recruitment Process

• Apply: Submit your resume and answer a few key questions to get started.
• 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 see how they fit into the team and wider business with Utz.

Continuously Pursuing Excellence!

Here at Utz, we have a passion for exciting and delighting consumers with delicious snack foods made from high quality ingredients. After over a century with a strong family heritage, our diverse portfolio of brands includes Utz, Zapp's, Boulder Canyon, and On the Border. Our associates are the reason for the success of this company, so it is important we provide a supportive, caring and inclusive environment that offers opportunities for career growth and advancement. We also 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 our world class team and help us become the fastest growing pure-play U.S. snacking company of scale!

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.

• Bachelor's degree; Packaging Science or Materials/Design related degree is required.
• 3-5 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.