Senior Packaging Engineer & Category Manager

Wonder Group • New York, NY

3d • $149,000 - $157,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Packaging Engineer and Category Manager is responsible for leading the strategy, design, sourcing, and optimization of food packaging solutions that deliver functionality, sustainability, and operational excellence across a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) network. This role integrates category strategy development, supplier management, and cost optimization to ensure packaging aligns with brand, quality, safety, and regulatory standards while driving efficiency throughout the supply chain.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of packaging engineering experience, with at least 3 years in QSR, foodservice , or CPG packaging.
• Proven ability to develop and execute category strategies and manage supplier relationships from qualification through performance evaluation.
• Experience with cost analysis, negotiation, and contract execution for packaging materials and services.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance for food contact packaging, including FDA/USDA and global requirements.
• Expertise in packaging materials (paper, plastics, fiber, compostable/biodegradable substrates) and processes (forming, sealing , printing, laminating).
• Skilled in packaging performance testing (ISTA, ASTM, or equivalent).
• Proficiency in design and analysis tools ( ArtiosCAD , TOPS, Cape Pack, or similar).

Nice To Haves

• Experience with sustainable packaging design and lifecycle assessment preferred.
• Solid understanding of QSR operations and customer experience drivers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the overall packaging category strategy, aligning material specifications, design platforms, and sourcing approaches with business goals and sustainability targets.
• Lead packaging innovation projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring alignment with brand, marketing, operations, and supply chain priorities.
• Vet and qualify suppliers, assessing technical capability, compliance history, financial stability, and sustainability performance.
• Partner with Procurement to lead cost modeling, negotiation, and contract development to secure optimal value, quality, and continuity of supply.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with all applicable food contact, labeling, and environmental regulations, maintaining awareness of evolving national and international standards.
• Drive form factor consolidation and optimization, reducing complexity, improving operational efficiency, and leveraging scale across product lines and markets.
• Design, test, and validate packaging that maintains food integrity, temperature, and quality across dine-in, takeout, delivery, and drive-thru channels.
• Develop and implement performance testing protocols covering transportation, shelf life, food safety, and consumer usability.
• Lead sustainability initiatives focused on material reduction, recyclability, compostability , and alignment with corporate ESG goals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners in R&D, Operations, Marketing, QA, and Supply Chain to balance innovation, functionality, and cost.
• Support global packaging standardization, documentation, and specification management.
• Monitor emerging materials, regulations, and technologies to identify opportunities for competitive advantage.
• Provide technical guidance to resolve packaging issues in manufacturing, logistics , and restaurant operations.
• P romote continuous improvement in packaging development and supplier management processes.

Benefits

• We offer a competitive salary package including equity and 401K.
• Additionally, we provide multiple medical, dental, and vision plans to meet all of our employees' needs as well as many benefits and perks that are not listed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees