Senior Packaging Engineer, R&D

As the Senior Packaging Engineer on the trü frü North America R&D team, you will lead Frozen packaging portfolio innovation, continuous improvement, and cost savings initiatives. You will operate autonomously within your packaging technical expertise while maintaining strong cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced and highly dynamic environment.

What you’ll do

• Lead development of trü frü Frozen packaging across new weight and format offerings and improvements to existing lines.
• Develop fit-for-purpose packaging by incorporating input from Marketing, Sales, Quality, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Supply, and partner closely with suppliers and manufacturing partners to evaluate and test feasibility.
• Communicate technical capabilities and limitations of the existing packaging manufacturing network to the business team while anticipating and planning for future changes.
• Coordinate the creation of high-quality prototypes to gauge consumer desirability, influence cross-functional teams, and support customer collaboration.
• Initiate, coordinate, and execute line trials at appropriate supply locations to confirm quality attributes and performance metrics are achieved, documenting trial objectives and results thoroughly.
• Contribute to cross-functional project teams throughout commercialization by providing regular updates on technical progress and risks, and evaluating all packaging decisions for desirability, feasibility, and viability.
• Develop detailed packaging specifications to ensure quality materials and best value across all packaging components used at trü frü facilities, co-packers, and co-manufacturers.
• Collaborate with the Engineering team and OEMs to provide technical support to external manufacturing sites on quality, process, and equipment-related issues.
• Identify new opportunities for cost savings and value creation within the packaging portfolio.
• Maintain all Regulatory and Food Safety requirements throughout the development and execution process.
• Support trü frü’s automation and efficiency goals by contributing input and data entry across Master Data and R&D systems related to packaging.

What you’ll bring to trü frü

You are...

• A strategic thinker who uses broad perspective and data to make timely, effective decisions and solve complex problems.
• Comfortable working without rigid process in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment, with a willingness to overcome obstacles and get things done.
• Skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously with strong planning and prioritization.
• A clear and effective communicator of project details, technical risk, and cross-functional dependencies.
• A passionate, engaged team member who builds trust, supports continuous improvement, and remains open to feedback.

You have...

• B.S. in Packaging Engineering or a related technical discipline with 7+ years of industry experience.
• Food CPG and manufacturing experience, with priority given to Frozen category experience.
• Strong foundational knowledge of packaging materials and machine-material interaction.
• Proven experience leading packaging projects and initiatives across cross-functional teams.
• Hands-on experience with Flexible Film and Pouch formats is required; Paperboard, corrugate, unit load design, and distribution testing experience is preferred.
• Ability to travel 30–50% of the time.

Certain states and localities require employers to post a reasonable estimate of salary range.  Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors, including location, experience, skill set, performance, licensure and certification, and business needs. The range for this position in other geographic locations may differ.