Principal Engineer, R&D - Packaging Materials & Performance

Job description

​​Own and evolve the PBS framework for packaging, including definition, structure, required content, and linkage to performance outcomes (functional, quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, manufacturing performance). ​Lead development and rollout of enterprise PBS templates and best practices, including guidance for writing measurable requirements and acceptance criteria. ​Translate cross-functional requirements into PBS by partnering with

Packaging R&D, Innovation, Process/Platform teams, Quality, Operations, and other stakeholders to ensure specifications are complete, testable, and fit for manufacturing. ​Establish and run specification governance, including review cadence, approval workflows, escalation paths, and go/no-go readiness requirements related to specification completeness and risk. ​Ensure specifications enable manufacturable solutions, aligning performance requirements with converting processes and manufacturing constraints (e.g., filling, web handling, labeling, molding, printing, closures/dispensing where applicable). ​Drive consistency and compliance by ensuring specifications reflect relevant sustainability and regulatory considerations and are maintained as requirements evolve. ​Build tools and processes for specification lifecycle management, including version control, change management, and communication of updates to impacted functions and sites. ​Define and align testing/validation expectations tied to PBS, including performance verification criteria and documentation needed to support proof of concept, scale-up, and handover. ​Enable training and adoption by developing training materials and coaching teams on PBS thinking, writing high-quality requirements, and applying enterprise packaging standards. ​Measure PBS effectiveness using quality and execution metrics (e.g., right-first-time specifications, reduction in rework, fewer late-stage changes, improved launch readiness).​ Team (salaried): targeting 2 direct reports BS/MS/PhD degree in

Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering preferred, or related discipline. 6+ years of R&D packaging development, commercialization experience and project leadership experience (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred).

Strong technical knowledge of packaging materials, formats and manufacturing/converting constraints. Demonstrated experience in building performance specifications as well as packaging development and commercialization and cross-functional project leadership. Strong ability to translate business, technical, and consumer needs into clear, measurable performance requirements. Proven capability with project governance, risk management, and stakeholder reporting.

Working knowledge of design of experiments and statistics and technical problem solving. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to influence across functions and levels. Familiarity with sustainable packaging solutions and the need to align packaging work with evolving sustainability and regulatory requirements. Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time