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Liquid I.V. · 1 day ago

Principal, Package Engineer

El Segundo, CA

Full-time

Hybrid

Lead/Staff

8+ years exp

Liquid I.V. is a company dedicated to enhancing the vitality of people and the planet, and they are seeking a Principal Packaging Engineer to lead innovative and sustainable packaging solutions. This role involves managing the strategy and execution of packaging development, guiding long-term strategies aligned with sustainability goals, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to commercialize packaging solutions.

Food and BeverageHealth CareNutritionWellness

No H1B

Responsibilities

Scout for new packaging materials to expand LIV product formats

Research, evaluate, and qualify cutting-edge packaging materials, vendors, and technologies while balancing sustainability, cost, and performance

Own end-to-end development: design, prototype, test, validate, and commercialize packaging systems across primary, secondary, and tertiary formats

Manage new product launches from concept through commercialization with a cross-functional team including Project Management, Product Development and Operations. Stay informed and educate the team of category, brand and competitive packaging trends and dynamics

Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including Senior Leadership, about emerging business opportunities, technology capabilities and technologies

Provide technical expertise on sustainable materials, packaging formats, and life cycle assessment (LCA), guiding key business decisions

Contribute to Sustainability Reporting, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and external communications related to Packaging

Stay ahead of industry trends and regulatory changes to future-proof Liquid I.V.’s packaging strategies

Serve as a Subject Matter Expert with a passion for knowledge-sharing while actively identifying and assessing opportunities to advance Unilever Sustainable Packaging goals

Co-create and execute technical strategy for next generation packaging platforms with a focus on sustainable, cost-effective, and high-performance solutions

Collaborate with suppliers, co-manufacturers, co-packers, and Unilever Center of Excellence (COE) sites to scale and commercialize packaging solutions

Guide development of packaging specifications, testing protocols, and tooling documentation across all packaging formats including flexibles, cartons, corrugate, rigids, etc

Identify and lead implementation of cost savings and packaging efficiency initiatives

Provide production technical guidance to our manufacturing partners and cross-functional teams, which involves identifying process challenges and gaps, recommending technical solutions, and following through to successful completion and resolution

Identify areas of opportunities and provide simple ideas for expanding value/profits and driving continuous improvement to the business

Possess a strong sense of leadership to accomplish Objectives & Key Results (OKRs) and be able to manage projects independently or in a team environment

Qualification

Packaging EngineeringMaterials ScienceSustainable PackagingLife Cycle Assessment (LCA)Food Manufacturing ProcessesProject ManagementLean Six SigmaCollaboration SkillsProblem-Solving SkillsOrganizational SkillsCommunication Skills

Required

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Material Science/Technology, Engineering, or a related field (master's degree preferred)

10+ years of experience in CPG R&D Packaging Development with a Bachelor's degree, or 8+ years with a Master's degree

Minimum 3 years in a senior or lead packaging development role

Advanced research in novel materials to further sustainability goals

Proven success in developing and commercializing packaging in multiple formats to drive business growth including flexibles, cartons, corrugate, and rigids

Deep knowledge of sustainable materials, circular design, and recyclability standards

Strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills with demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and lead complex, multi-phase projects

Excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Experience with Lean Six Sigma is a plus

Strong working knowledge of food manufacturing processes, quality assurance principles, specification development, product commercialization & scale ups (eg. CQV)

Experience with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Experience using pallet software TOPS or CAPE

Strong organizational & teamwork skills, ability to prioritize/multi-task and handle multiple projects simultaneously

Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving innovation in a fast paced, dynamic working environment

25% domestic & international travel to manufacturing facilities is required