Your Opportunity as the Senior Technologist, Packaging Research & Development, Pet

 Shape the future of pet food packaging at Smucker! In this hands-on innovation role, you'll develop and launch new packaging solutions that protect product quality, enhance sustainability, and deliver a better consumer experience. Working cross-functionally with suppliers and manufacturing teams, you'll lead package development from concept and testing through commercialization while driving continuous improvement and sustainable packaging initiatives. If you're passionate about packaging technology, problem-solving, and bringing new ideas to life, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on iconic pet brands. 🐾

Location: Orrville, OH

Work Arrangements: Hybrid, 60% or more in office presence as business need requires. Travel up to 30% annually.

In this role you will:

• Collaborate boldly with Product R&D, Creative Services, Brand Management, Purchasing, and Suppliers to bring new packaging concepts to life—starting from the earliest design stages.

• Design and develop innovative packaging solutions using materials like film/laminate, thermoforming, injection molding, paperboard, and corrugated formats—driven by consumer needs and business goals.

• Lead testing and validation of packaging performance across production, distribution, shelf life, sustainability, and consumer usability—with growing independence.

• Execute qualifications and trials with suppliers and production facilities, ensuring seamless integration into our manufacturing processes.

• Drive plant trials with precision—planning, executing, analyzing, and summarizing results in partnership with manufacturing and technical teams.

• Craft performance-based specifications and manage them within our electronic database system.

• Advise and recommend top-tier suppliers and service providers to support successful product launches.

• Champion innovation by proposing new packaging technologies, sustainability solutions, cost-saving ideas, and creative problem-solving approaches.

• Support technical troubleshooting across the packaging supply chain and production environments.

• Learn to assess legal and environmental aspects, and patent opportunities for new packaging

• Build strong relationships with strategic packaging suppliers to stay ahead of trends and capabilities.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Packaging Science/Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science or related technical degree

• 2+ years of experience in packaging development or packaging engineering

• Knowledge of packaging materials, technologies, and applications 

• Understanding of basic package attributes and qualification test procedures

• Experience collaborating across multi-functional and discipline boundaries in a dynamic project environment

• Experience conducting plant and lab trials 

• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.

• Willingness to travel up to 30% based on project needs and launch schedules

Additional skills and experiences that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Experience in the food or beverage industry

• Familiarity with packing line machinery and equipment (ex: flexible pouch, bagging, rigid container filling and sealing, case packing etc.)

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The Right Place for You 

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs. 

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn® 

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.