Principal Packaging Engineer

About the Position

Principal Packaging Engineer position is in the Discovery and Applications R&D Group, a part of PepsiCo’s IDT team. You will help drive mid to long term packaging innovation technology pipeline and new formats, to deliver against PepsiCo’s beverage innovation platforms.

Responsibilities

• Support efforts with PepsiCo’s Brand Marketing, R&D, Consumer Insights, Global Procurement, and Supply Chain Development Teams to drive packaging innovation.
• Actively participate in Marketing and Marketing Research programs, including focus groups and other consumer research formats.
• Contribute to Research & Insights teams to incorporate packaging requirements into plans.
• Maintain open communication and build strong relationships with multiple functions.
• Provide subject matter expertise in support of new package development and commercialization.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities without impacting timelines.
• Ability to identify risks and issues with appropriated mitigation and to determine when escalation is needed.
• Ability to prioritize risk and quickly identify issue resolution options, pros, cons, and action plan.
• Plan, execute and document results of design evaluation and analysis for new packaging technologies to ensure products can be successfully effectuated within the Global PepsiCo system.
• Develop deep understanding of strategic packages, products, and processes to support development of new packaging platforms, and contribute to troubleshooting and problem solving.
• Initiate and perform economic and technical feasibility studies on new packaging platforms delivered through ideation.
• Provide technical support for field issue resolution.
• Create development for all projects.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external partners.

Requirements

• Critical Competencies:

  • Broad knowledge of Flexible and Rigid packaging
  • Broad knowledge of Injection & Blow molding process
  • Material Knowledge in PP, PET, PE, Aluminum
  • Analytical thinking
  • Teamwork Building technical relationships
  • Project management skills
  • Strong communication and presentation skills
  • Teamwork & collaboration
  • Motivated & results driven
  • Innovative thinking
  • Ability to work in a dynamic work environment

• Qualifications:

  • BS, MS in Mechanical, Chemical, Material Science & Materials, Polymers, Plastics, or Packaging Engineering with 10 plus years’ experience in related consumer goods field (preferably in rigid packaging).
  • Experience in manufacturing processes for beverages.
  • Experience with hot fill, cold fill, retort and aseptic packaging.
  • Experience with both flexible and rigid packaging a plus.
  • Experience working with Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) or Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies a plus.
  • Strong leadership qualities, verbal and written communication skills, and technical analysis and problem solving skills are required.

We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and innovative environment
• Collaborative and cross-functional work culture
• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities

About the Company

The research and development work performed at PepsiCo changes the world, quite literally! Our teams of scientists, technologists and engineers are breaking new ground every day to make a positive and visible effect on consumer health and our planet. We’re leading the way in developing what’s next, not only being one step ahead of consumer demand, but also raising the bar on responsibility by collaborating upstream with the sales, marketing, supply chain and sustainability departments.

PepsiCo’s IDT team is a strategic research and development team aimed at designing engaging consumer experiences, differentiated through technology. We drive innovation and assess feasibility of breakthrough packaging technologies - to enable the winning consumer experiences. We develop packaging solutions that are sustainable - globally. The IDT team works in cross-functional collaboration towards the innovation and development of highly differentiated packaging concepts and technology platforms by linking consumer insights and emerging technologies to satisfy our business objectives.

COVID-19 vaccination is a condition of employment for this role. Please note that all such company vaccine requirements provide the opportunity to request an approved accommodation or exemption under applicable law.

PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity.

Locations

• Chicago, IL, USA
• Valhalla, NY, USA

Job Type

• Full-time
• On-site

Experience Level

• Mid-Senior Level

Categories

• Food & Beverages