Senior Packaging Engineer Job at Perdue Farms (Salisbury)

Job Description

Drive packaging innovation that supports product quality, efficiency, and sustainability across a diverse protein portfolio. As a Senior Packaging Engineer, you will lead the development and implementation of packaging solutions from concept through commercialization, ensuring performance across manufacturing environments while meeting cost, regulatory, and sustainability goals. You will partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing, Procurement, and external suppliers to deliver scalable, effective packaging strategies. This role is ideal for a technically strong, forward-thinking professional who thrives on innovation, cross functional collaboration, and delivering high-impact solutions at scale.

Job Responsibility

Promote applicable safety, regulatory, GMP requirements in lab, pilot plant, and manufacturing facilities
Assist in writing new policy and procedures as needed
Owns the technical direction and execution of complex packaging development programs from concept through commercialization across multiple product lines and plants
Serve as the technical authority for assigned packaging platforms, materials, and formats, providing clear direction and decision-making throughout the development lifecycle
Lead packaging design, material selection, testing strategies, and validation activities to ensure solutions meet performance, regulatory, customer, and consumer requirements
Plan and execute lab, pilot, and plant trials, including scale-up and commercialization activities across manufacturing locations
Anticipates and mitigate technical and operational risks associated with packaging changes and new introductions
Develop, review, and approve packaging specifications, material standards, and test protocols with a focus on consistency, scalability, and long-term performance
Establish best practices and technical guidance for packaging development, validation, and documentation
Ensure accurate, timely, and complete documentation of development work, supplier qualifications, and commercialization trials
Lead plant-level packaging issue resolution and performance improvement efforts, including root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
Support manufacturing teams during startup, changeover, and sustained production phases to ensure packaging systems perform as intended
Identify opportunities for process improvement, standardization, and simplification across plants
Drive cost optimization through material selection, design efficiency, and standardization without compromising product integrity or brand expectations
Evaluate and recommend packaging technologies, materials, and suppliers based on total cost of ownership, risk, and long-term strategy
Provide technical input into capital projects, major packaging changes, and supplier transitions
Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Quality, Operations, Procurement, and Regulatory to scope, prioritize, and implement packaging solutions
Serve as a primary technical interface with packaging suppliers, equipment vendors, and external testing partners
Support customer-facing engagements related to packaging performance, innovation, and issue resolution as required
Lead competitive benchmarking and internal testing to evaluate packaging technologies, materials, and formats
Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory developments, translating insights into actionable opportunities
Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior and mid-level packaging engineers
Review challenges on technical work to raise overall capability, rigor, and consistency within the packaging organization

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Packaging Engineering or related discipline, plus 6 -10 years related work experience
In the absence of a Bachelor's Degree, total experience must equal 12 years
Demonstrated expertise in packaging development processes, materials, barrier systems, packaging equipment, testing methods, and commercialization
Strong technical problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently on complex, ambiguous challenges
Proven ability to influence cross-functional partners without direct authority
In-depth knowledge of food manufacturing processes and packaging system integration
Expertise in poultry processing and/or related food product systems
Ability to travel up to 50%

Nice to have

Master's degree with 4 years related experience or PhD with 2 years' experience
Experience supporting multiple plants or product platforms

What we offer

Medical/Rx
401(k) with employer match after 1 year
Critical illness
Accident insurance
Dental
Vision
Life insurance
Optional group life insurance
Short-term and long-term disability protection
Flexible spending accounts
Paid time off
Annual bonus available (variable depending on performance)
Relocation assistance may be available for qualified applicants

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Senior Packaging Engineer

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