Principal Scientist, Packaging Development

McCormick & Company

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Scientist will inspire and develop a team of packaging professionals while acting as a senior technical leader responsible for driving cost optimization, manufacturing efficiency, and supply continuity across a portfolio of brand and products. This role combines advanced packaging engineering expertise with strategic business leadership. The Principal Scientist identifies systemic opportunities to improve packaging performance, reduce total system cost, mitigate risk, and enhance manufacturing reliability. The position serves as both a technical authority and strategic partner to Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Brand teams to ensure packaging systems are optimized for performance, cost, and long-term resilience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in food or CPG packaging development within R&D and manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success delivering measurable productivity improvements and people leadership.
• Deep technical knowledge across multiple packaging formats and filling systems.
• Proven experience leading and developing lower level employees, and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Strong financial and business acumen; ability to develop and defend ROI-based recommendations.
• System Proficiency: in SAP, Microsoft Office, and palletization software (e.g., CAPE).

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree or certification programs

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple complex, cross-functional projects aligned to business priorities.
• Translate business objectives into technically robust packaging solutions.
• Provide strategic input into long-term packaging roadmaps focused on simplification and efficiency.
• Balance short-term cost delivery with long-term system sustainability and operational capability.
• Identify, develop, and execute cost reduction initiatives across packaging materials, formats, specifications, and suppliers.
• Lead structured value engineering programs aligned to annual CCI and productivity targets.
• Deliver measurable annualized savings aligned to category and division targets.
• Drive specification simplification, SKU harmonization, and material standardization.
• Partner with plant operations to improve line performance, reduce downtime, and optimize packaging performance.
• Troubleshoot packaging-related manufacturing inefficiencies, quality defects, and waste drivers.
• Lead packaging validation, line trials, and commercialization activities to ensure seamless plant execution.
• Support capital projects related to packaging equipment or format changes.
• Strengthen packaging supply resilience through dual sourcing, specification risk assessment, and supplier collaboration.
• Support contingency planning and rapid response during supply disruptions.
• Partner with Procurement and suppliers to improve service, performance metrics, and long-term cost stability.
• Serve as a recognized SME across multiple packaging formats (rigid, flexible, corrugate, closures, labels).
• Apply deep knowledge of materials science, manufacturing processes, tolerances, filling systems, palletization, and distribution.
• Utilize analytical tools and test methodologies to validate performance and optimize designs.
• Establish and maintain packaging standards, best practices, and governance processes.
• Directly manage, develop and inspire other packaging professionals.
• Influence without authority across Operations, Procurement, QA, and Marketing.
• Build organizational capability in areas of responsibility.
• Contribute to strategic workforce planning within the packaging function.
• Mentor and coach junior packaging developers and cross-functional partners.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Career growth opportunities
• Flexibility and Support for Diverse Life Stages and Choices
• Wellbeing programs including Physical, Mental and Financial wellness
• Tuition assistance
• Comprehensive health plans covering medical, vision, dental, life and disability benefits
• Family-friendly benefits such as paid parental leave, fertility benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and caregiver support
• Retirement and investment programs including 401(k) and profit-sharing plans
• Incentive Bonus (MIB) Plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees