Packaging Engineer

Gowan Company•Yuma, AZ

About The Position

The Packaging Engineer, Americas supports the Supply Chain department with advanced planning for packaging projects and the planning and implementation of solutions. The role leads and coordinates packaging activities to transfer packaging technologies from R&D to manufacturing for new and existing products, ensuring compliance with regulatory and quality requirements. The Packaging Engineer develops and tests packaging concepts, oversees validation and qualification activities, and ensures packaging meets relevant regulatory, transport, dangerous-goods, and quality requirements. The role manages packaging specifications and supplier sign-offs, investigates quality incidents, leads improvement projects, and maintains complete packaging project documentation and data in Gowan’s systems. The position is full-time and salaried, reports to the Packaging Manager, and includes approximately 25% domestic and international travel within the Americas.

Requirements

Degree in packaging engineering or a related area.
Professional experience in packaging engineering in the chemical or agrochemical sector.
Expertise in packaging manufacturing processes, including blow and injection moulding, film extrusion, and corrugated paper.
Project management skills.
Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
Fluency in English.
At least 5 years of experience in a related role or field.
Demonstrable skills with computer-aided design (CAD) software and other relevant programs.
Strong knowledge of CLP and NIST Packaging Requirements.
Ability to travel approximately 25% of the time, domestically and internationally within the Americas.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of packaging concepts and designs that meet product performance requirements, regulatory standards, and consumer expectations.
Conduct and document feasibility testing and prototyping of packaging solutions, ensuring product integrity and regulatory compliance.
Plan, execute, and manage validation and qualification activities for packaging designs, palletisation schemes, and related processes, including quality protocols, process validation studies, and equipment qualification documentation.
Ensure packaging complies with applicable Plant Protection Products regulations.
Manage compatibility testing for primary packaging materials in collaboration with Formulation and Regulatory teams.
Prepare and submit waste-management reports, such as plastic waste reports, according to local regulatory requirements.
Represent Gowan in Plant Protection associations as the Container Management and Packaging point of contact.
Verify packaging compliance with applicable modal transport regulations and Supply Chain requirements for Dangerous Goods packaging.
Manage UN testing and certification, maintain current approvals, and ensure packaging is not used without valid certification.
Ensure packaging development information is complete and handed over to Manufacturing before first production, including updates to Manufacturing and Quality manuals.
Investigate packaging-related Quality Incidents, determine root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
Identify and lead improvement projects to strengthen packaging quality in Manufacturing and across the Supply Chain.
Create, validate, and maintain packaging specifications; verify that packaging items meet Gowan’s quality and performance standards.
Ensure packaging suppliers formally validate and sign off Gowan’s specifications.
Maintain accurate packaging project records, including specifications, test reports, qualification files, and project milestones.
Own and maintain packaging specifications, Packaging Data Sheets, and Palletisation Sheets used across Gowan.
Keep packaging documentation current in the Global Packaging SharePoint environment.
Input, verify, and maintain Packaging and Pallet data in Gowan’s UOM system.
Maintain packaging component item data in the E1 ERP system so it reflects current specifications and operational needs.
Perform other duties as assigned.