Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Sr. Package Development Engineer – Level II to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of a technical segment of Hood products and the relationship with Customer and Consumer needs. Manage several projects simultaneously, performing engineering tasks and providing guidance for team members in a category. Ensure application of common packaging engineering principles and concepts to team projects and leverage relationships and collaborate with all internal stakeholders. Develop subject matter expertise (SME) for technical complex Packaging issues/opportunities, teach knowledge associated with statistical analysis, DOE, and SPC, and serve as mentor to other engineers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Manages several projects simultaneously, performing Packaging Development tasks and guidance for team members in a category; ensures application of common Packaging principles and concepts to their teams' projects. Executes Packaging Strategies as defined:
       • Oversees Packaging projects across all business units, ESL, Culture, Fluid & Ice Cream
       • Developing subject matter expert for technical complex Packaging issues and opportunities.
       • Innovate to finds solutions for Packaging projects.
       • Identify and implement sustainable packaging solutions to align with the company’s environmental goals.
       • Troubleshoot and resolve packaging-related issues in collaboration with the production and quality teams.
       • Is responsible and accountable for assuring appropriate use of financial and human capital resources.
       • Collaborates with vendors on new technologies and specification best practices.
• Leads Process Improvements Related to Packaging, PLM, Specifications
• Supports all data analysis of Packaging specs, including maintaining databases to assure accurate reporting to other Stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain packaging specifications, documentation, and quality standards.
• Coordinate packaging testing and CQV events to ensure durability, safety, and compliance with industry regulations.
• Advises and reports on Packaging trends with Consumer Complaints or Customer Inquiries
• Actively engages cross-functionally to drive Customer to Concept Packaging and bring new products to market.
• Leverages relationships and collaborate with all Sr. R&D and Supply Chain leaders.
• Ensures Packaging meets production and consumer needs; measures Packaging capabilities with the plants.
• Coaches developing Packaging Development Engineers to foster professional growth.
• Provide technical expertise and mentorship to junior Packaging Development Engineers and technicians.
• Utilize MRP and ERP systems to manage packaging materials, inventory, and production processes.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and regulations to drive continuous improvement and innovation in packaging.
• Analyze and resolve operational effectiveness issues related to packaging processes, materials, and equipment, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
• Implement best practices and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance packaging operations and reduce costs.
• Ability to travel as needed to support packaging projects and initiatives.
• Additional responsibilities focus area 1:
        • Supporting Supplier Quality Activities as needed, including Supplier engagement to determine best path forward.
        • Developing Standards for Best Practices across Packaging Development and in collaboration with Quality and Production facilities
        • Defining and developing test protocols, testing equipment to support Packaging Development team in cross functional troubleshooting leadership.
        • Supporting Sustainability/EPR work, including data collection and future Innovation opportunities to improve Hood’s Packaging Footprint.
• Additional responsibilities focus area 2:
        • Lead the development and centralization of packaging specifications, ensuring compatibility with quality processes, operational requirements, and regulatory/customer standards and manage change control to specifications and materials.
        • Oversee packaging lifecycle data within the PLM system to ensure traceability, enable continuous improvement, reduce costs and waste, and align with long-term packaging and operational strategies.
        • Maintain centralized, accessible documentation of all packaging specifications to ensure traceability for internal teams and external partners.
        • Partner with Strategic Sourcing to support RFQs and supplier validation.
        • Collaborate with suppliers to validate packaging materials ensuring quality compliance and discrepancy resolution.
        • Ensure Packaging compliance with evolving industry regulations and legal requirements through monitoring and updates.
        • Generate reports and dashboards to track packaging quality, compliance, Sustainability KPI’s and extended producer responsibility (EPR) readiness.
        • Lead activities related to Customer requirements for Sustainability and EPR reporting.

Education and Experience:
• 10+ years of food industry experience
• Bachelor's of Science/Engineering degree in relevant scientific field of study; Master’s/PhD preferred. Packaging Engineering degree preferred.
• Certifications such as 6 sigma, ELP, CPP are highly beneficial

Skills and Competencies:
• Technical knowledge of Packaging materials across all categories
• Extensive knowledge of Hood products Packaging and line equipment.
• Capability and capacity to manage multiple projects with multiple cross functional partners.
• Use, share, and teach knowledge associated with Packaging Development, statistical analysis, DOE, and SPC.
• Author comprehensive Packaging instructions/specifications.
• Effectively utilize root cause analysis tools.
• Comprehensive understanding of a technical segment of Hood products and the relationship with Customer and Consumer needs.
• Developing strong relationships with external Packaging Suppliers, OEM, EMC and Hood facilities, and cross functional partners.
• External competitive technical segment knowledge to provide thought leadership and guidance to Packaging Development Leadership.
• Deeper understanding of current and new trends and technologies that may impact Hood and to help create new opportunities.
• Recommends unit operations considering ingredients and technical Packaging knowledge for preferred product designs.

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