Senior R&D Packaging Engineer

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Job Title: Senior R&D Packaging Engineer
Location: River Falls, WI, Midwest United States, USA

Company: Land O Lakes
Industry Sector: Agribusiness
Industry Type: Input Retail, Cooperative and Related Crop Services
Job Type: Full Time

Job Description: As stated in the Land O'Lakes Job Posting policy, all employees who post for an internal opening must inform their current manager at the time they apply.

Our growth relies on our extraordinary talent. Unlock your greatest potential at Land O'Lakes by continuing to make a difference, driving results and growing your career.

Senior R&D Packaging Engineer

The primary responsibility of this position is to work across the WinField United platforms to identify and execute key initiatives that enable a robust packaging supply chain with optimized designs and usage in manufacturing. This position will also maintain a strong understanding of the sustainability landscape to aid in the development of technical solutions that enable our organizational goals and compliance with regulations. In total, the individual will lead development, maintenance, and cost optimization of sustainable and technical packaging solutions with a forward-thinking approach.

Product Development (25%): Accountable for all Packaging R&D related activities to support new business objectives to include:
Product development of packaging from concept/feasibility through commercialization
Design Validation/Plant Qualification of all new/existing packaging designs. Regulatory testing (UN/DOT) and maintain records working directly with contract testing labs
Technical report submission for all related phase-gates project critical path activities related to Packaging development

Drive Cost Savings & Continuous Improvement (25%)
Work with Sourcing and Suppliers to identify cost reduction opportunities on an annual basis
Drive SKU/package consolidation efforts
Travel to manufacturing locations for packaging design and testing analysis
Identify potential Green Belt/Black Belt projects related to packaging design & processes

Collaboration with Internal & External Partners (20%)
Work with internal and external partners to develop specifications, documentation, packaging test plans and plant trials
Work with cross-functional packaging technical experts to identify product line synergies, sku rationalization, etc.

Strategy & Roadmaps (15%)
Study packaging legislation in the industry, analyze and communicate impact to Land O'Lakes to aid in adapting roadmap strategies accordingly
Establish and maintain a database of all WinField packaging technical specifications, review & update specifications regularly

Sustainability (15%)
Conduct front end research and development on sustainable and/or innovation material alternatives that drive value to Land O'Lakes and enable achievement of sustainability goals

Required Experience/Education:
BS degree in Packaging, Chemical, Industrial, or other Engineering disciplines
6 or more years of experience in Packaging Engineering including pressure, storage, hot-cold, stacking, etc.
Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, Minitab, LCA analyses, and TOPS
Must be willing to travel 25%
Background in packaging (chemical preferred)
Experience in sustainability requirements (preferred)

Required Competencies & Skills:
Packaging manufacturing and testing equipment expertise
Able to work cross functionally with peers to accomplish business goals
Experience with materials compatibility
Experience identifying, leading and executing packaging cost savings programs and/or projects
Excellent communication/interpersonal skills with ability to achieve accelerated timelines while maintaining cooperative working relationships across a large cross-functional network
Possess sense of urgency in meeting deliverables; proactive and results oriented
Ability to influence and partner with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment to deliver results
Passion for technical expertise and innovation with ability to develop new packaging ideas based on consumer/customer needs and insights
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills - ability to work through ambiguous situations independently
Data-driven mindset to employ fact-based decision making
Proven ability to manage through rapidly changing priorities while possessing strong planning and organizational skills

Salary range: $91,120 - $136,680 (in most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges)

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Grade:

E11

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Job Post Date: 05/07/25