Job Description

Overview

Want to champion and lead initiatives to bring packaging sustainability strategy to life for a Fortune 200 Company with some of the most iconic brands? If you are passionate about packaging sustainability and experienced in sustainability concepts, industry practices, technology trends and partnership resources, we want to speak with you! We are currently seeking a Sr. Packaging Sustainability Engineer (Sr. Packaging Engineer – Sustainability) to join our Packaging Design & Innovation Department in Richmond, VA.

What you will be doing:

Providing technical leadership for sustainable packaging, materials, and technologies
Making recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences about emerging business opportunities, technology capabilities and advances
Growing partnerships internally and externally to identify innovative and differentiated packaging materials and technologies
Developing packaging assessment and feasibility processes through internal and external collaboration
Researching, evaluating, and qualifying innovative packaging solutions while balancing cost, timing and quality
Designing and prototyping packaging concepts to assess new technologies and materials through lab or pilot experimentation
Staying informed and educating internal organizations on packaging trends and changes in the legal / regulatory environment
Collaborating with Procurement to identify new material opportunities and evaluate supply security of all identified materials
Participating in packaging associations and use global networking in the industry to make sure that Altria capitalizes on the latest trends, technology, and processes.
Aligning technical sustainability solutions with overall company Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals to ensure that the right technical solutions are developed for deployment
Leading & performing research activities to conceive, demonstrate and establish breakthrough sustainable packaging technologies for next generation portfolio to enable a winning consumer experience
Engaging proactively with multi-functional groups to ensure new packaging meets product requirements and consumer expectations
Continuously monitoring projects to engage and inform partners on project status
Independently applying technical principles and techniques to analyze and solve problems
Ensuring all Financial, Legal and Regulatory Compliance requirements are met during packaging development activities

We want you to have:

Bachelor’s Degree in Packaging Science, Engineering or equivalent; educational background in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or Polymer Science is preferred
5+ years of experience in CPG R&D Packaging Development in an FDA regulated environment
Strong understanding of packaging lifecycle analysis for sustainability and environmental impact
Knowledge of materials used in the construction and manufacturing of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging, including but not limited to injection molding, flexible films, blow molding, vacuum forming, folding cartons and corrugated shipping containers
Understanding of sustainability and environmental issues facing packaging suppliers and consumer packaging organizations
Knowledge of test methods used to validate component / package performance
Experience with project planning and project management
Experience in Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
Experience producing physical models of packaging concepts using rapid prototyping equipment and services
Strong interpersonal collaboration skills and ability to influence others without authority
Ability to optimally communicate to technical and non-technical audiences
Self-motivated and must possess a high level of personal initiative
Ability to be flexible in the face of rapidly evolving markets and business priorities
Familiar with standard Microsoft Office products
Willingness to travel domestically and/or internationally to support business objectives