Job Description

Company Profile

Whole Earth Brands, Inc. is a global, industry leading consumer packaged goods and ingredients company, on a quest to enable healthier lifestyles for consumers and their families. We are part of the Sweet Oak Investments family, a privately held, private equity backed portfolio of businesses across sweeteners, charcoal and grilling products, and flavor enhancers for B2B.

Our portfolio of brands includes Wholesome®, a leader in organic and fair trade sugars, agaves, and honeys; Whole Earth®, with a portfolio of plant-based zero calorie sweeteners meeting consumers wherever they are on their wellness journey; Swerve® with a portfolio of baking optimized natural zero calorie sweeteners and baking mixes; and Equal®, providing trusted great taste and value in zero calorie sweeteners.

Summary

In this role, the Packaging Engineer will be responsible for developing and implementing package solutions to support Whole Earth Brands portfolio including retail, club, private label and foodservice. This includes primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging. The role requires emerging material knowledge, specifically in heat seal flexible films, pouches, PET containers, paper cartons, paper film, corrugate and a general understanding of how these materials interface with packaging equipment.

The Packaging Engineer will work with the broader R&D team, Marketing, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Quality to execute development of new items as well as optimizing current product portfolio. In addition, this role will spearhead packaging sustainability initiatives for the company. This position requires strong communication and organizational skills to manage and execute multiple projects at once.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develops and implements packaging solutions supporting new product launches, continuous quality improvements, cost savings, and optimization initiatives
• Using current business product life cycle system, leads development and documentation of new and updated package components, including packaging component drawings and dieline(s), written specifications, production Bill of Materials, finished product specifications, and distribution specifications
• Concurrently manages and executes multiple projects with minimal supervision, ensuring timely and successful completion of activities to meet project milestones
• Provides technical thought leadership for the role of packaging to project teams, demonstrating an understanding of cost drivers, material properties, equipment capabilities, customer requirements, and consumer interaction
• Drives alignment with key project stakeholders on packaging development direction
• Collaborate with Whole Earth’s internal cross functional teams, as well as with external vendors and manufacturing facilities
• Develop relationships with vendors to identify improvement opportunities for packaging materials and equipment
• Leads packaging sustainability initiatives for the company. Work with vendors to continually scope & explore Environmental Sustainability Goals for current packaging formats. Be able to provide Marketing with options for their Brands
• Determine, execute, and create test plans for new and optimized packaging projects. Leads plant trials at manufacturing sites
• Troubleshoots issues that arise during assessment, feasibility, development, and commercialization with some manager supervision, implementing and executing plan of action
• Provides support to address operational quality issues related to packaging materials or equipment with the objective to minimize future recurrence
• Support Private Label customers by providing dieline(s), packaging specs and completing packaging surveys in their business sites
• Collaborates with cross functional team to help identify new approaches, processes, and best practices

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS : The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• Strong communication and written skills
• Experience with packaging development software desired (TOPS or CAPE), specification database management, Adobe Work Front (graphics management software) and MS Office
• Working knowledge in Adobe Illustrator to create dielines
• Understanding of packaging graphics, proofing and pre-press process
• Able to create a development and implementation plan for low-moderate risk projects using sound technical methodology
• Self-starter, with the ability to drive technical solutions forward and multi-task on key programs / projects and deliver on time
• Ability to identify and conduct appropriate tests to simulate the distribution environment
• Strong project management and collaboration skills with ability to influence others to provide deliverables on time
• Thrives working in a fast-paced environment on a variety of projects and adaptable to changes
• Keen attention to details especially with technical drawings and specifications
• Must be able to travel to manufacturing sites. Travel up to 50%.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Material Science, Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience preferably in Consumer-Packaged Goods but open to related field (pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, etc).

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Base Salary: $80k-100k, plus bonus. Salary flexible for the right candidate.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with rich Employer Match
• Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and supplementary benefit options.
• Very generous employer contributions to medical insurance premiums
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off
• Hybrid work environment
• Work with a fun team passionate about building brands that matter!

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