Manufacturing Packaging Technician

Avantor•Phillipsburg, NJ

About The Position

The Manufacturing Packaging Technician is a packaging subject matter resource responsible for packaging performance, compliance, qualification, and continuous improvement across regulated and non-regulated product portfolios. The role independently evaluates packaging systems, analyzes technical and quality issues, recommends solutions, and supports packaging-related business decisions. Working with Packaging Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, Product Management, Operations, and external suppliers, the technician exercises independent judgment in qualification programs, failure investigations, risk assessments, and optimization initiatives. The position supports packaging standards and new product introductions while ensuring solutions meet quality, regulatory, customer, operational, and sustainability requirements. The role leads packaging investigations and corrective actions; plans, executes, and documents qualification, validation, compatibility, and performance studies; and serves as technical lead for transportation and distribution testing. It evaluates materials and suppliers, analyzes packaging data using business systems, authors technical reports and documentation, and recommends improvements to performance, sustainability, cost, standardization, and supply continuity. The technician provides cross-functional technical guidance and supports audits, inspections, and regulatory submissions. The work takes place in office, laboratory, manufacturing, and warehouse environments. It may involve exposure to chemicals, packaging materials, and manufacturing environments, as well as occasional travel to supplier, testing, manufacturing, or customer sites. The position requires operating computers, laboratory instruments, testing equipment, and material handling devices; lifting and maneuvering materials up to 50 pounds; and standing, walking, bending, reaching, and repetitive movements. Required PPE and safety, quality, and environmental requirements must be followed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Engineering Technology, Materials Science, Supply Chain, Industrial Technology, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in packaging engineering, packaging technology, manufacturing support, product qualification, quality engineering, transportation testing, or a related technical discipline.
Experience independently managing packaging qualification, testing, validation, or investigation activities.
Experience analyzing technical data and providing recommendations that influence operational or business decisions.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional initiatives and collaborating with suppliers, quality, and operations teams.
Advanced knowledge of packaging materials, packaging systems, package compatibility principles, and packaging performance requirements for regulated and non-regulated products.
Advanced knowledge of transportation testing methodologies and standards, including ISTA, ASTM, UN/DOT, IATA, and related package qualification requirements.
Working knowledge of cGMP, OSHA, DOT, IATA, IMDG, and other applicable regulatory and quality requirements for packaging and distribution.
Understanding of BOM structures, packaging specifications, change control, material management, materials science, package design, risk assessment, performance evaluation, lifecycle management, supplier qualification, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
Ability to interpret and apply industry standards, technical specifications, and regulatory requirements to packaging assessments and business decisions.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, root cause analysis, and technical troubleshooting skills.
Mechanical aptitude and proficiency with Microsoft Office, SAP, Qlik Sense, and related business systems.
Effective technical writing, data analysis, reporting, presentation, and project coordination skills.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and deadlines.
Ability to assess technical and business risks and make sound, data-based recommendations.
Strong project leadership and stakeholder management skills, including influencing decisions without direct authority.
Ability to balance quality, compliance, customer requirements, operational needs, sustainability objectives, and cost considerations.
Ability to investigate packaging issues, determine root causes, develop corrective actions, and implement sustainable solutions.
Ability to independently assess packaging risks, evaluate alternatives, and determine technically appropriate solutions using professional judgment.
Ability to collaborate across functions and with suppliers, communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders, and maintain accurate, organized documentation.
Ability to lead packaging investigations, testing, and qualification efforts and provide technical guidance to cross-functional teams.
Ability to execute and evaluate detailed test protocols, work instructions, validation activities, and SOPs.
Ability to safely operate laboratory and packaging testing equipment in accordance with procedures and safety requirements.
Strong attention to detail and adherence to safety, quality, regulatory, and data integrity standards.
Ability to support business decisions that improve packaging performance, reduce risk, enhance compliance, and contribute to operational and business objectives.
Ability to lift and maneuver materials up to 50 pounds and perform standing, walking, bending, reaching, and repetitive movements.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or specialized packaging certifications.
Experience working within regulated manufacturing environments.
ISTA Certified Packaging Professional certification.
Certified Packaging Professional (IoPP) certification.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
Hazardous Materials/DOT certification.
Quality-related certifications applicable to manufacturing or packaging operations.

Responsibilities

Lead technical investigations involving packaging-related customer complaints, quality events, nonconformances, and CAPAs; determine root causes and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
Analyze trends and recurring packaging issues to identify systemic risks and improvement opportunities, and provide technical recommendations to internal teams and suppliers.
Independently plan, execute, and document packaging qualification and validation activities.
Evaluate packaging materials, components, and systems against performance, regulatory, and customer requirements; analyze qualification data and recommend suitability, risk mitigation, and implementation actions.
Support packaging strategies for new products, packaging changes, and lifecycle management, including assessing the impact of material, supplier, and design changes.
Lead transportation and distribution qualification testing programs; develop approaches and execute testing under applicable industry and internal requirements.
Interpret test results, assess package performance risks, recommend design improvements, and author technical reports and qualification summaries.
Maintain technical ownership of testing programs, laboratory processes, equipment performance, and calibration compliance.
Evaluate packaging materials and supplier capabilities; provide guidance on specifications, performance requirements, and material selection.
Partner with suppliers to investigate technical issues, implement improvements, support innovation, and assess supplier-proposed changes.
Manage packaging compatibility and material performance studies from planning through completion; evaluate results, identify interaction risks, and maintain study documentation and data integrity.
Use SAP, Qlik Sense, and related systems to assess packaging performance, supplier trends, lifecycle risks, material demand, and cost drivers; develop reports and metrics and maintain accurate system data.
Lead packaging improvement initiatives involving performance, sustainability, cost reduction, material standardization, and supply continuity; evaluate emerging technologies and industry practices.
Contribute technical expertise to cross-functional process improvement and product launch teams and support packaging innovation, commercialization, and business growth.
Serve as a packaging subject matter expert for Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, Product Management, and Engineering; present findings, recommendations, and risk assessments.
Interpret and apply applicable packaging regulations, standards, and quality requirements; ensure programs and documentation meet internal and external requirements.
Author and maintain protocols, reports, specifications, qualification summaries, risk assessments, and testing records; support audits, inspections, and regulatory submissions.
Perform packaging evaluations, testing, inspections, and technical assessments while complying with PPE, safety, quality, and environmental requirements.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Wellness programs.
Health savings and flexible spending accounts.
401(k) plan with company match.
Employee stock purchase program.
11 paid holidays.
Accrual of 18 PTO days annually.
Volunteer time off.
Six weeks of 100% paid parental leave, except in states that offer paid family leave.
Learning experiences to support career growth and success.