Sr. Packaging Development Engineer II

HP Hood•Batavia, NY

2d•$135,000 - $147,000•Onsite

About The Position

HP Hood is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Sr. Packaging Development Engineer II to manage packaging development projects across its business units, including ESL, Culture, Fluid, and Ice Cream. The role applies packaging engineering principles to projects, develops expertise in complex packaging issues and opportunities, and collaborates with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and manufacturing facilities. The engineer contributes to packaging innovation, sustainable packaging solutions, production performance, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. The position also provides technical guidance and mentorship to other engineers and technicians, and may require travel as needed. The role includes packaging specifications and lifecycle management, packaging testing and qualification, data analysis and reporting, supplier quality and validation, and support for customer sustainability and extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements. It works cross-functionally with R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, Production, and Strategic Sourcing to bring products to market and ensure packaging meets customer, consumer, operational, quality, and regulatory needs.

Requirements

At least 10 years of food industry experience.
Bachelor of Science or Engineering degree in a relevant scientific field.
Technical knowledge of packaging materials across all categories.
Extensive knowledge of Hood products’ packaging and line equipment.
Ability to manage multiple projects with multiple cross-functional partners.
Knowledge of Packaging Development, statistical analysis, DOE, and SPC, and ability to share and teach that knowledge.
Ability to author comprehensive packaging instructions and specifications.
Ability to use root cause analysis tools effectively.
Understanding of a technical segment of Hood products and its relationship to customer and consumer needs.
Ability to develop strong relationships with external packaging suppliers, OEMs, EMCs, Hood facilities, and cross-functional partners.
External competitive technical-segment knowledge to provide thought leadership and guidance to Packaging Development Leadership.
Understanding of current and emerging trends and technologies that may affect Hood or create opportunities.
Ability to recommend unit operations based on ingredients and technical packaging knowledge for preferred product designs.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or Ph.D. degree.
Packaging Engineering degree.
Certifications such as Six Sigma, ELP, or CPP.

Responsibilities

Manage multiple packaging development projects and provide guidance to team members.
Oversee packaging projects across business units, including ESL, Culture, Fluid, and Ice Cream.
Develop subject-matter expertise in complex packaging issues and opportunities, and innovate solutions.
Identify and implement sustainable packaging solutions aligned with company environmental goals.
Troubleshoot packaging issues with Production and Quality teams.
Use financial and human resources responsibly.
Collaborate with vendors on new technologies and packaging specification best practices.
Lead process improvements related to Packaging, PLM, and specifications.
Analyze packaging specification data and maintain databases for accurate stakeholder reporting.
Develop and maintain packaging specifications, documentation, and quality standards.
Coordinate packaging testing and CQV events to ensure durability, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Advise and report on packaging trends related to consumer complaints and customer inquiries.
Work cross-functionally to develop customer-to-concept packaging and bring new products to market.
Collaborate with senior R&D and Supply Chain leaders.
Ensure packaging meets production and consumer needs and assess packaging capabilities at plants.
Coach and mentor Packaging Development Engineers and technicians.
Use MRP and ERP systems to manage packaging materials, inventory, and production processes.
Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and regulations to support continuous improvement and innovation.
Analyze and resolve operational effectiveness issues involving packaging processes, materials, and equipment.
Implement best practices and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operations and reduce costs.
Travel as needed to support packaging projects and initiatives.
Support supplier quality activities and engage suppliers to determine appropriate paths forward.
Develop packaging best-practice standards with Packaging Development, Quality, and Production facilities.
Define and develop test protocols and testing equipment to support cross-functional troubleshooting.
Support sustainability and EPR work, including data collection and packaging-footprint improvement opportunities.
Lead the development and centralization of packaging specifications and manage changes to specifications and materials.
Oversee packaging lifecycle data in the PLM system for traceability, continuous improvement, cost and waste reduction, and alignment with packaging and operational strategies.
Maintain accessible, centralized packaging specification documentation for internal teams and external partners.
Partner with Strategic Sourcing on RFQs and supplier validation.
Validate packaging materials with suppliers, ensure quality compliance, and resolve discrepancies.
Monitor evolving industry regulations and legal requirements and update packaging practices to maintain compliance.
Generate reports and dashboards tracking packaging quality, compliance, sustainability KPIs, and EPR readiness.
Lead activities related to customer sustainability and EPR reporting requirements.