Senior Director, Packaging Engineering

Schwan's Company • Hopkins, MN

3d • $150,000 - $250,000 • Onsite

About The Position

At CJ Schwan's, we don't just make food, we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice to families gathering around favorite meals, our team members play an important role in bringing great food experiences to life. Our portfolio includes iconic brands such as Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony's®, Big Daddy's®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith's®. Through innovation, quality, and consumer-focused solutions, we continue to shape the future of food. As Senior Director, Packaging Engineering, you will lead the strategy, development, and technical performance of packaging materials across CJ Schwan's U.S. food portfolio. You'll build and advance packaging capabilities that protect product quality, support innovation, improve sustainability, and enhance the consumer experience while partnering across the organization to bring new ideas to market. Travel: 30%

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related technical field; Master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in packaging development, materials engineering, or a related discipline, including significant people leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading packaging innovation, commercialization, and cross-functional initiatives within the food industry.
• Experience supporting packaging performance in frozen food applications preferred, including manufacturing, distribution, storage, and consumer preparation.
• Strong technical expertise across flexible films, paperboard, corrugate, rigid packaging, trays, cartons, barrier materials, and packaging performance testing.
• Knowledge of food-contact regulations, packaging sustainability principles, and material qualification processes.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, project management, and technical problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the enterprise packaging materials strategy, driving innovation, renovation, productivity, and sustainability initiatives across our portfolio.
• Lead the selection, development, testing, and commercialization of packaging materials that ensure product quality, food safety, and performance throughout manufacturing, distribution, retail, and consumer use.
• Establish packaging standards, specifications, testing methodologies, and governance processes that deliver consistent performance across products and manufacturing sites.
• Partner with R&D, Operations, Procurement, Quality, Marketing, and external suppliers to identify and implement new materials, technologies, and packaging solutions.
• Drive packaging optimization efforts that reduce cost and complexity while maintaining product protection, operational efficiency, and consumer satisfaction.
• Champion sustainability initiatives, including material reduction, recyclability, and compliance with evolving customer and regulatory expectations.
• Build, develop, and inspire a high-performing team while providing strategic guidance and technical leadership across the organization.

Benefits

• Eligibility for a 35% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance
• Car allowance
• Comprehensive health benefits
• Time off programs
• Retirement and financial offerings

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior