Manufacturing Packaging Technician

The Opportunity

Implements operational goals, focusing on the delivery and oversight of technical project activities. Manages smaller projects and/or phases of broader engineering initiatives within the department. Addresses recurring but varied problems, analyzing technical data and relevant factors to derive effective solutions. Maintains communication with internal team members across disciplines and external contacts, including vendors and sub-contractors, to ensure project alignment and successful outcomes.

The Manufacturing Packaging Technician serves as a packaging professional responsible for applying specialized packaging, transportation testing, and materials expertise to support packaging performance, compliance, qualification, and continuous improvement across regulated and non-regulated product portfolios. This role independently evaluates packaging systems, analyzes technical and quality-related issues, recommends solutions, and serves as a key technical resource supporting packaging-related business decisions.

Working across Packaging Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, Product Management, Operations, and external suppliers, this role exercises independent judgment in executing package qualification programs, investigating packaging failures, assessing packaging risks, and driving packaging optimization opportunities. The position influences packaging standards, supports new product introductions, and contributes to business objectives through technical expertise, data-driven recommendations, and effective cross-functional collaboration.

The Manufacturing Packaging Technician is recognized as a subject matter resource for packaging testing, package performance evaluation, transportation qualification, and packaging compliance, ensuring packaging solutions meet quality, regulatory, customer, operational, and sustainability requirements.

What we’re looking for:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Engineering Technology, Materials Science, Supply Chain, Industrial Technology, Chemistry, or related technical discipline required.

• Advanced degree or specialized packaging certifications preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in packaging engineering, packaging technology, manufacturing support, product qualification, quality engineering, transportation testing, or related technical disciplines.

• Experience independently managing packaging qualification, testing, validation, or investigation activities.

• Experience analyzing technical data and providing recommendations that influence operational or business decisions.

• Experience working within regulated manufacturing environments is preferred.

• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional initiatives and collaborating with suppliers, quality, and operations teams.

Preferred Certifications

• ISTA Certified Packaging Professional.

• Certified Packaging Professional (IoPP).

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.

• Hazardous Materials/DOT Certification.

• Quality-related certifications applicable to manufacturing or packaging operations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Those necessary to perform the job competently)

Technical Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of packaging materials, packaging systems, package compatibility principles, and packaging performance requirements across regulated and non-regulated product applications.

• Advanced knowledge of transportation testing methodologies and industry standards, including ISTA, ASTM, UN/DOT, IATA, and related package qualification requirements.

• Working knowledge of cGMP, OSHA, DOT, IATA, IMDG, and other applicable regulatory and quality requirements governing packaging and distribution activities.

• Understanding of BOM structures, packaging specifications, change control processes, and material management practices.

• Knowledge of materials science principles, package design considerations, packaging risk assessment methodologies, and package performance evaluation techniques.

• Ability to interpret and apply industry standards, technical specifications, and regulatory requirements to evaluate packaging solutions and support business decisions.

• Understanding of packaging lifecycle management, supplier qualification processes, sustainability considerations, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Skills

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, root cause analysis, and technical troubleshooting skills with the ability to evaluate complex packaging issues and develop effective solutions.

• Mechanical aptitude and proficiency with Microsoft Office, SAP, Qlik Sense, and related business systems.

• Effective technical writing, data analysis, reporting, presentation, and project coordination skills.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects, competing priorities, and deadlines.

• Ability to assess technical and business risks and make sound recommendations based on data, testing results, and operational requirements.

• Strong project leadership and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence decisions without direct authority.

• Ability to balance quality, compliance, customer requirements, operational needs, sustainability objectives, and cost considerations when recommending packaging solutions.

Abilities

• Investigate packaging issues, determine root causes, develop corrective actions, and implement sustainable solutions.

• Independently assess packaging risks, evaluate alternatives, and determine technically appropriate solutions using professional judgement.

• Manage multiple priorities, technical projects, and business initiatives effectively while meeting established timelines.

• Collaborate across functions and with suppliers to address technical challenges, support product launches and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

• Influence technical and operational decisions through analysis, expertise, and data-driven recommendations without direct authority.

• Interpret technical specifications, procedures, standards, and regulatory requirements and apply them to complex packaging situations.

• Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders and maintain accurate organized documentation.

• Demonstrate strong attention to detail and adherence to safety, quality, regulatory, and data integrity standards.

• Demonstrate the ability to lead packaging investigations, testing activities, and qualification efforts while providing technical guidance to cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrate the ability to execute and evaluate detailed test protocols, work instructions, validation activities, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Safely operate laboratory and packaging testing equipment in accordance with established procedures and safety requirements.

• Demonstrate business acumen and the ability to support decisions that improve packaging performance, reduce risk, enhance compliance, and contribute to operational and business objectives.

How you will thrive and create impact

Packaging Quality, Investigations, and Corrective Actions

• Lead technical investigations involving packaging-related customer complaints, quality events, nonconformances, and CAPAs.

• Analyze complex packaging failures and performance issues to determine root causes and recommend corrective and preventive actions.

• Evaluate trends and recurring issues to identify systemic risks and improvement opportunities.

• Provide technical recommendations to Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams regarding packaging-related concerns.

• Influence implementation of corrective actions through collaboration with intern