Sr. Engineer, Packaging Development

Title: Sr. Engineer, Packaging Development

Location: Franklin, TN

Workstyle: Onsite

Mars does not sponsor visas for this role. This position is not eligible for relocation benefits

The  Sr. Engineer, Packaging Development is responsible for developing and deploying packaging initiatives that support core brand growth, efficiency, quality and innovation for Mars Petcare NA. This role is critical to the development of new packages, ensuring on-shelf competitiveness of the Mars Petcare North American packaging portfolio through the delivery of an innovation, sustainability and productivity pipeline focused on the Dry platform technology. 

What will be your key responsibilities? 

• Create and align packaging design briefs with cross functional project team.
• Coordinates the creation of high-quality prototypes to gauge consumer desirability, influence teams and support customer collaboration.
• Develops detailed packaging specifications to ensure quality materials and best value for money on all packaging components used at our facilities, co-packers and co-manufacturers.
• Initiates, coordinates and executes line trials at appropriate supply locations to confirm that quality attributes and performance metrics are achieved.
• Leads the development of ‘fit for purpose’ packaging in collaboration with Cross-Functional teams; meets cost targets, is sensitive to environmental needs, processes through the factory, protects the product through the entire distribution channel, and provides functionality to the retail customer and consumer.
• Uses existing procedures to implement new packaging materials and systems for application to company products.
• Exchanges information with packaging suppliers to ensure proper execution of projects. Demonstrate technical leadership in the area of pet food packaging by searching for opportunities and implementing technology to improve the company manufacturing performance.
• Shares project level information to global Mars counterparts as requested.
• Understands Intellectual Property (patents) landscape of portfolio of technologies in area of responsibility.
• Utilize modeling and simulation to deploy validated packaging formats across the network with minimal disruption to operations and minimal expense costs to the business.
• Serves as a leader in the packaging community at Mars by way of extending technical curiosity outside of known solutions, connecting technologies with opportunities to serve pets and champions packaging as an enabler for differentiation.

What are we looking for?

• BS degree (preferably in Packaging, Engineering, Material Science, Chemistry, Food Science, or related technical field)
• 5+ years in Packaging Engineering/packaging technology or material development
• Knowledge of food packaging fundamentals and application to the product development process
• Strong understanding of packaging materials, functionality, qualification and commercialization of multiple packaging formats, design of experiment
• Demonstrated capability to manage multiple priorities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, effective presentation skills
• Ability to work effectively in cross functional teams and with external suppliers
• Up to 30% travel

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.