Senior Engineer II, Packaging

Great Lakes Cheese•Abilene, TX

50d

About The Position

The Senior Engineer II, Packaging supports packaging materials and equipment and works with GLC departments, customers, vendors, and co-packers to execute packaging projects from concept design through implementation. The role serves as GLC’s technical resource for packaging sustainability and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), providing technical leadership on sustainable packaging strategies, emerging regulations, reporting requirements, and compliance obligations. The position coordinates packaging material changes to improve operating-line speed and efficiency while reducing costs; evaluates and develops materials, processes, equipment, and technologies; and supports package and product setup for customers and production plants. It also manages specifications and procedures, addresses operational packaging issues, supports packaging circularity trials, maintains the packaging specification system, and coordinates capital projects through implementation. Employees are expected to follow safety policies and procedures and produce products in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices and the Safe Quality Food Program. The role involves approximately 50% travel. Work is mainly in an office setting, with some time in a manufacturing environment and occasional exposure to industrial conditions, including temperatures from approximately 35°F to 100°F, noise above 85 dB, moisture, and moving machinery.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Mechanical Engineering, or a similar engineering field.
At least 2 years of packaging engineering experience.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Knowledge of food packaging.
Ability to communicate with packaging material suppliers, packaging equipment manufacturers, and co-packers.
Must be able to work now or in the future without corporate sponsorship.
Approximately 50% travel.

Nice To Haves

2–4 or more years of packaging experience in the CPG packaging field.
Experience in package commercialization.
Experience attending customer visits to support the Sales and Marketing team.
Experience in the food or dairy industry.
Experience with flexible packaging, rigid packaging, MAP equipment, corrugated packaging, or sustainability.
SAP experience.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and execute packaging material changes to maximize operating-line speeds and efficiencies while reducing costs.
Collaborate with procurement on vendor selection and lead qualification, ensuring new materials meet GLC standards and expectations.
Evaluate, research, and develop new or alternative materials, process methods, equipment, and technologies.
Set up or design new products and packages for customers and producing plants.
Apply operating guidelines and parameters for packaging run conditions.
Improve and implement plant efficiencies through equipment automation.
Standardize and manage specifications and procedures for packaging and machinery applications to optimize finished-product quality and performance.
Provide solutions for daily issues involving packaging, supplies, material costs, and labor.
Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to lead feasibility studies for new products.
Support GLC Packaging Circularity initiatives by facilitating trials involving reduced, reusable, or compostable packaging.
Maintain and continually improve the quality and accuracy of the GLC Packaging Specification System.
Monitor evolving EPR legislation and related regulatory requirements, serving as GLC’s technical resource on sustainable packaging to guide compliance and packaging strategy.
Coordinate capital projects from concept through implementation using the GLC Capital Process.
Follow stated safety policies and procedures and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices and Safe Quality Food Program policies and procedures.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the manager.