Associate Packaging Engineer (Home)

Target•Minneapolis, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

A role with Target Packaging is an opportunity to lead the development of packaging for Target’s beloved owned brands, exclusive partnerships and select transit packaging. Your influence will drive sales and grow brand love through packaging that’s guest-centric, on brand, competitive “at shelf” and category relevant. Here, you’ll leverage internal and external partnerships to execute packaging planning, project management, print development, copy and structural development to achieve brand expression and market differentiation. Your work will prioritize and manage packaging projects, securing the correct resources and creative needs to deliver on time and budget. As part of a global team spanning the U.S., China and India, you’ll have partners at sourcing offices overseas, as well as international vendors and suppliers. Best of all, your commitment to diversity and inclusion will come to life every day as you work with multicultural teams to create the best, most sustainable packaging for all our guests. You’ll support the structural design and development of new, improved, more sustainable and cost-effective owned brand packaging in Home and Seasonal. As an Associate Packaging Engineer, you will: Leverage your structural packaging expertise for assigned categories working under the coaching of the Packaging Design & Development Director for the business lines you support. Ensure the primary package will protect, contain, and display the product from the initial idea through final use for assigned categories and businesses. Work across the enterprise with key internal partners to define packaging requirements and identify optimal packaging solutions. Collaborate directly with product vendors and packaging suppliers to bring packaging solutions that meet business and consumer needs. It is critical that we deliver solutions on time, at the lowest cost, and while ensuring corporate sustainability commitments and legislative requirements are met. Drive packaging sustainability initiatives by reducing material use, phasing out problematic plastics, and supporting compliance with EPR regulations. Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through material optimization, format changes, and supplier collaboration without compromising product integrity or brand standards. Contribute to category and item level market research, including testing and consumer feedback. Draw conclusions from relevant data and make appropriate recommendations. Contribute to the prototyping and development of Target packaging structural concepts for our Owned Brand products. Ensure item level packaging specifications are accurate; deadlines are met, and products set on time and as designed.

Requirements

Four-year packaging engineering degree
1-4 years of experience preferred, including internships and cooperative education internships
Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize requests, and meet deadlines
Motivation to learn new skills, with a passion for engineering and design
Ability to work independently and strategically in a fast-paced multi-project environment
Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication, and organizational skills
Experience with Artios CAD and SOLIDWORKS, CSWA (Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate) preferred

Responsibilities

Leverage structural packaging expertise for assigned categories working under the coaching of the Packaging Design & Development Director for the business lines you support.
Ensure the primary package will protect, contain, and display the product from the initial idea through final use for assigned categories and businesses.
Work across the enterprise with key internal partners to define packaging requirements and identify optimal packaging solutions.
Collaborate directly with product vendors and packaging suppliers to bring packaging solutions that meet business and consumer needs.
Drive packaging sustainability initiatives by reducing material use, phasing out problematic plastics, and supporting compliance with EPR regulations.
Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through material optimization, format changes, and supplier collaboration without compromising product integrity or brand standards.
Contribute to category and item level market research, including testing and consumer feedback.
Draw conclusions from relevant data and make appropriate recommendations.
Contribute to the prototyping and development of Target packaging structural concepts for our Owned Brand products.
Ensure item level packaging specifications are accurate; deadlines are met, and products set on time and as designed.