Expert Packaging Engineer

Ferrara•Chicago, IL

19d•$102,075 - $142,905•Hybrid

About The Position

The Expert Packaging Engineer serves as Ferrara’s technical lead and subject matter expert for sustainable packaging initiatives and compliance. The role supports the development and leads execution of programs advancing recyclability, plastic reduction, consumer communication, and regulatory compliance. It partners across functions to identify, evaluate, and commercialize sustainable packaging solutions that support business growth, global expansion, and changing domestic and international requirements. The position develops and owns sustainable packaging processes and strategy, including the Design for Recycle roadmap, three-year packaging strategy, and labeling process. It leads sustainable packaging projects from concept through commercialization, including qualifications, validations, plant trials, scale-up, and first production runs. The role also assesses regulatory impacts, develops compliance strategies, supports international launches and acquisitions, identifies source-reduction opportunities, and evaluates emerging packaging materials and technologies. The engineer manages sustainable packaging trial budgets and supports capital planning and industry partnerships. The position develops packaging specifications, testing protocols, validation plans, and technical documentation, and provides guidance to cross-functional teams. The role is based in Chicago and requires in-person attendance for most of the workweek, at least three days, due to the interactive and team-based nature of the work. Travel of up to 40% is expected.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering or a related discipline.
4–6 years of progressive packaging engineering experience.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing sustainable packaging strategies.
Experience leading packaging qualification, validation, and commercialization activities.
Experience evaluating packaging sustainability regulations and compliance impact requirements.
Experience with sustainable packaging materials, recyclability initiatives, source reduction, or circular economy programs.
Experience managing multiple cross-functional projects and priorities.
Experience with SAP, PLM systems, Microsoft Office Suite, TOPS, CAPE, or similar packaging software tools.
Working knowledge of multiple materials and processes across distribution environments, including rigid plastics, flexible materials, corrugated, paperboard packaging, and labels.
Knowledge of packaging material processing specifications.
Extensive knowledge of packaging machinery.
Ability to contribute to cross-functional teams involving marketing, sales and research, purchasing, manufacturing, quality, engineering, graphics development, and packaging supplies.
Ability to communicate with all levels of the organization, including senior leadership.
Willingness to travel up to 40%.
Strong regulatory acumen, business partnership, influencing without authority, stakeholder management, and program management skills.
Action-oriented approach and ability to deal with ambiguity.
Organized, able to multitask, and able to meet commitments.
Strong oral and written presentation skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
In-person attendance in Chicago for at least three days or more during most workweeks.

Responsibilities

Develop and own processes supporting the sustainable packaging strategy, including the Design for Recycle roadmap, three-year packaging strategy, and labeling process.
Assess, refine, and prioritize sustainable packaging initiatives in response to regulatory developments, business priorities, consumer expectations, and emerging technologies.
Serve as the organization's subject matter expert on sustainable packaging.
Lead sustainable packaging projects from concept through commercialization.
Lead packaging qualifications, validations, plant trials, scale-up activities, first production runs, and commercialization support.
Coordinate project activities with suppliers, OEMs, manufacturing sites, procurement, quality, regulatory, marketing, and R&D.
Manage project timelines, budgets, risks, and deliverables.
Conduct impact assessments and develop compliance strategies related to recyclability, extended producer responsibility, source reduction, labeling, and other sustainability requirements.
Lead cross-functional implementation of regulatory requirements and communicate regulatory implications to organizational stakeholders.
Support international product launches with guidance on packaging design, labeling requirements, recyclability standards, retailer requirements, and EPR compliance.
Partner with business teams to align packaging solutions with local regulations and sustainability expectations.
Evaluate sustainable packaging implications of acquisitions and portfolio integration activities.
Identify and implement packaging source-reduction opportunities while maintaining product quality, functionality, and consumer experience.
Lead initiatives supporting emerging plastic-reduction requirements and corporate sustainability goals.
Evaluate portfolio-wide packaging design improvements to reduce environmental impact.
Research, evaluate, and test packaging materials and technologies, including recyclable films, paper-based packaging, reuse systems, and emerging sustainable solutions.
Build relationships with suppliers, industry organizations, and technical partners to identify packaging innovations and translate opportunities into scalable commercial solutions.
Manage annual sustainable packaging trial budgets and support capital planning for packaging-related investments.
Support management of industry partnerships and sustainability program investments.
Develop packaging specifications, testing protocols, validation plans, and technical documentation.
Provide guidance and technical support to Packaging Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial teams.
Drive adoption of sustainable packaging best practices and standards throughout the organization.