Packaging Engineering Lead

J&J Snack Foods•La Vergne, TN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Packaging Engineering Lead reports to the VP of Engineering and leads the development, commercialization, and optimization of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging systems for the company’s food products across retail, club, e-commerce, and foodservice channels. The role partners with R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, Procurement, and other cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, cost-effective, sustainable, and automation-ready packaging solutions that protect product quality, support shelf-life requirements, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the consumer experience. This role provides packaging systems expertise, supports packaging equipment projects from specification through commissioning and handoff, and identifies opportunities to improve processes, equipment performance, and costs. The position is based onsite at the Support Center in La Vergne, Tennessee, and requires approximately 25% domestic and international travel, depending on business needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field.
Experience commercializing packaging across multiple manufacturing sites.
Knowledge of secondary packaging equipment and formats.
Experience designing packaging for automated, high-speed lines.
Proficiency with CAD software.
Knowledge of OEE metrics and packaging line optimization.
Experience leading capital projects from concept through commissioning and handoff.
Strong project management skills, including planning, budgeting, schedule management, vendor coordination, and cost control.
Ability to develop and clearly present business cases, including ROI analyses and capital expenditure justifications.
Ability to influence and collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders, including Operations, Quality, Engineering, and senior leadership.
Strong organizational and prioritization skills, including the ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing deadlines.
Self-motivated and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Responsibilities

Provide technical expertise and partner with OEMs to design and develop packaging systems, including flow wrapping, vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS), case and carton forming, case packing, and palletizing systems.
Plan, design, test, and validate new packaging processes, and continuously improve and optimize existing processes.
Design packaging line processes to meet current packaging matrix requirements while allowing flexibility for future products and formats.
Research and evaluate emerging packaging technologies, equipment, formats, and innovations.
Identify automation opportunities and prepare capital expenditure justifications, including return-on-investment analyses, for equipment and packaging line modifications.
Initiate requests for quotation (RFQs) and collaborate with Product Development teams to establish equipment specifications, operating parameters, and performance requirements.
Partner with equipment vendors, corporate project managers, and Operations teams to support equipment installation, startup, and commissioning.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements that increase equipment reliability, efficiency, and performance.
Lead root cause analysis investigations for recurring equipment or process issues and develop and implement corrective actions.
Identify cost-reduction opportunities and develop business plans to achieve and sustain savings.
Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and provide stakeholders with status updates, technical recommendations, and risk assessments.
Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance.
Perform other duties and special projects assigned by the VP of Engineering.
Travel domestically and internationally to support projects and initiatives, approximately 25% depending on business needs.