Packaging Engineer Manager

Diageo•Plainfield, IL

1d•$89,775 - $149,625•Onsite

About The Position

We're crafting iconic drinks chosen for life's moments, and this role sits at the center of how we deliver on that ambition, from innovation to renovation and supply optimization. Getting it right grows our brands and strengthens the business behind every glass. You'll partner with our Global Category Teams across a genuinely global business, and act as the voice of Supply within the team, helping us evaluate and prioritize the programs that matter most. We invest in your growth here, with structured coaching and a clear path to develop your career. Job Summary: Lead packaging technical development and commercialization for strategic, complex and high-priority innovation, renovation and supply optimization projects, ensuring packaging solutions are robust, manufacturable, scalable and delivered right first time Serve as a senior technical leader within Packaging, translating project and brand requirements into packaging solutions and providing technical direction throughout the commercialization lifecycle Coach and develop early-career Packaging Engineers, building their technical capability, commercialization expertise and confidence to independently lead packaging workstreams Partner cross-functionally with Commercialization, Innovation/R&D, Procurement, Quality, Manufacturing, Brand and external suppliers to identify technical requirements, resolve packaging challenges and enable successful commercialization Ensure appropriate technical rigor and documentation throughout commercialization governance, including specifications, testing, trials, risk assessments and technical approvals Drive continuous improvement across Packaging Commercialization, strengthening technical standards, ways of working and organizational capability while improving speed to market and first-time-right execution

Requirements

BS in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related technical field
5+ years of packaging development, packaging engineering or technical commercialization experience in CPG, beverage, food, pharmaceutical or a related manufacturing environment
Demonstrated experience leading complex packaging development and commercialization projects from concept through production
Strong technical understanding of packaging materials, component development, manufacturing processes, testing methodologies and qualification requirements
Experience translating consumer, brand and business requirements into technically feasible and scalable packaging solutions
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot packaging and manufacturing challenges, identify root causes and develop technically sound solutions
Experience partnering with manufacturing sites and external packaging suppliers to execute trials, qualifications and commercial launches
Strong cross-functional leadership, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex technical topics for both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Experience coaching, mentoring or managing technical talent; direct people-management experience preferred
Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound technical decisions in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment
Working knowledge of packaging specifications, technical documentation and stage-gate commercialization processes

Nice To Haves

Experience with SAP and portfolio/reporting tools such as PowerBI is a plus

Responsibilities

Own packaging technical delivery for assigned strategic and complex projects from concept through commercialization and post-launch, ensuring solutions meet quality, performance, cost, manufacturing and consumer requirements
Provide technical leadership in the development, qualification and commercialization of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging components, partnering with Packaging subject matter experts where deeper category expertise is required
Lead packaging risk identification and technical problem-solving, proactively developing mitigation plans and escalating risks that could impact project timing, quality, cost or supply continuity
Plan and execute packaging development activities including component qualification, testing, line trials and manufacturing validation to demonstrate readiness for commercialization
Ensure packaging technical due diligence is completed at each commercialization lifecycle step and that technical decisions are supported by appropriate data, documentation and risk assessment
Partner closely with manufacturing sites and suppliers to ensure packaging solutions are manufacturable at scale and technical requirements are understood before launch
Build a high-performing Packaging Engineering team through coaching, development, technical mentorship, effective resource allocation and career growth support
Provide technical guidance and escalation support to Packaging Engineers, helping the team solve complex issues while building capability and increasing independent technical ownership
Manage engineering resources across the packaging project portfolio, balancing business priorities, project complexity, technical risk and individual development opportunities
Champion continuous improvement across Packaging Commercialization by developing and implementing improved technical standards, tools, processes and best practices that increase speed, quality and first-time-right execution