Associate Manager, Packaging Engineering

About the Opportunity

Do you get energized by the challenge of turning ambitious ideas into packaging that is innovative, sustainable, and consumer-friendly? This role offers the chance to lead packaging initiatives from the first sketch to the store shelf, making a tangible impact on both the business and the environment.  With new product launches, this exposure is unprecedented in your ability to bring new products to consumers. 

As an Associate Manager in Packaging Engineering, you’ll combine technical expertise with creative problem-solving to design and deliver packaging that enhances the consumer experience. Working closely with cross-functional partners in R&D, design, marketing, procurement, and supply chain, you’ll be a critical link in bringing breakthrough packaging solutions to life.

What You’ll Do

• Drive Innovation: Apply emerging and established packaging technologies to develop solutions that balance function, aesthetics, and sustainability.

• Lead Projects: Manage packaging development projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring they meet performance, cost, and timing targets.

• Advance Material Use: Evaluate and qualify materials to create packaging that is efficient, durable, and compelling to consumers in multiple markets.

• Enable Scale: Partner with manufacturing and technical teams to ensure packaging designs integrate seamlessly with production and distribution systems.

• Test & Validate: Conduct design trials and performance testing to confirm packaging safety, durability, and product compatibility.

• Collaborate Across Teams: Align with business, marketing, and supply chain partners to accelerate launches and ensure packaging meets brand and consumer expectations.

• Ensure Compliance: Create and maintain robust documentation, including specifications, bills of materials, and technical standards.

• Troubleshoot Issues: Provide technical support and problem-solving expertise during development, scale-up, and production.

• Mentor & Share Knowledge: Guide junior engineers and contribute insights on packaging trends, sustainability practices, and technical best practices.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related field.

• 5+ years of packaging or product development experience, with hands-on involvement in design, testing, and commercialization.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance cost, quality, sustainability, and consumer needs.

• Effective communication skills to present technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.

• Proven track record managing multiple projects simultaneously in fast-paced environments.

Preferred Skills

• Expertise in primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging systems.

• Experience with custom packaging development and tailored solutions for unique product formats.

• Knowledge of dispensing systems, closures, molding, and advanced materials.

• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DOE) and other structured testing methodologies.

• Background in packaging for complex product formats such as aerosols, gels, emulsions, or polymers.

• Proficiency with lifecycle management and project management tools (e.g., PLM, MS Project).

• Understanding of consumer research methods and ability to translate insights into packaging performance.

Additional Details

• Full-time position, standard weekday business hours.

• Hybrid work environment: onsite with option for limited remote flexibility.

• Occasional domestic travel (up to 10%).
  
  Compensation/Bonus/additional incentives: – $115,000 – $145,00 + 15% target bonus.  Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage as well as others.  
  
  If you are interested in this position or learning more about the role, please apply today!
  
  Krisi O’Donnell
  LaSalle Network
  
  #LI-KR1
  
   

  LaSalle Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer m/f/d/v.

   

  LaSalle Network is the leading provider of direct hire and temporary staffing services. For over two decades, LaSalle has helped organizations hire faster and connect top talent with opportunities, from entry-level positions to the C-suite. With units specializing in Accounting and Finance, Administrative, Marketing, Technology, Supply chain, Healthcare Revenue Cycle, Call Center, Human Resources and Executive Search. LaSalle offers staffing and recruiting solutions to companies of all sizes and across all industries. LaSalle Network is the premier staffing and recruiting firm, earning over 100 culture, revenue and industry-based awards from major publications and having its company experts regularly contribute insights on retention strategies, hiring trends and hiring challenges, and more to national news outlets.