The Darigold Procurement team is looking for a Packaging Manager to join our team and contribute to our Co-op's future success. This role will engage with internal and external resources to support commercialization of Darigold products and packaging and manage applicable packaging related sourcing events, as well as help develop documentation and processes that increase operational efficiency. This role requires a combination of technical and soft skills. Role is weighted on Packaging Engineering experience (80%) to sourcing (20%).
Key job responsibilities
This candidate will have experience diving deep to gain critical component and material performance knowledge, launching successful new products, and developing strong relationships with project stakeholders. The candidate will possess attention to detail, excellent communication skills, the ability to drive consensus across multiple stakeholders and be a team player. The ability to work independently, self-driven, organized, and comfortably deal with ambiguity is key to success in this role.
The primary function of this role is to ensure packaging solutions are safe, functional, and cost-effective. This includes working with cross-functional teams at our manufacturing locations, and enlisting supplier support, to ensure packaging specifications conform to and address equipment tolerances resulting in cost efficient production of goods and limited waste. Developing and maintaining Darigold packaging specifications and leading specified packaging sourcing activities including packaging materials and capital packaging equipment or components.
The primary responsibilities of the Packaging Development Manager also include but not limited to :

• Leading and coordinating design efforts between internal teams and outside vendors to develop optimal packaging solutions, including specification and pallet pattern creation.
• Working with and assessing third party co-manufacturers to identify areas of opportunity for packaging consolidation or introducing innovative packaging solutions.
• Advising senior management on the latest packaging sustainability laws, trends, and optimal solutions.
• Continually find ways to drive consistency and uniformity in our packaging efforts across manufacturing facilities.
• Facilitating sourcing events when applicable to support procurement of packaging equipment and materials at manufacturing facilities
• Conducting packaging performance tests
• Developing and maintaining Darigold packaging specifications.
• Participate in the approval of packaging suppliers, vetting fit for purpose
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including marketing, manufacturing, and quality control
• Identifying areas for improvement in packaging solutions
• Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations

Basic Qualifications

• 5 years of packaging development, or packaging program management experience
• Bachelor's degree in packaging engineering or related field equivalent
• Experience owning/driving roadmap strategy and definition.
• Experience with end-to-end development and commercialization of packaging.
• Experience with packaging design process and communicating tradeoffs of a product with key stakeholders

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of materials science, including plastics, metals, and paper
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and systems
• Knowledge or experience with design software
• Knowledge of environmental regulations, including sustainable packaging design
• Knowledge of artwork and artwork design
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Developing specifications

Soft Skills

• Communication skills, including the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Analytical skills, including the ability to analyze data and make recommendations
• Project management skills, including the ability to manage timelines and budgets
• Creativity, including the ability to develop innovative packaging solutions
• Collaborating with suppliers

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in sourcing activities and events
• Experience working across functional teams and senior stakeholders.
• Experience in a consumer-packaged goods environment
• Experience with resins: bulk, bottle, cups, lids, caps, preforms etc.
• Experience with artwork

Benefits of Working at Darigold
We understand that as an employee, benefits that support you and your family in and out of work are important. We're proud to offer eligible positions a competitive total rewards package - that includes:

• Employer 401K contribution of up to 9%
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision benefits
• Employer paid life & disability coverage.
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 8 weeks paid parental leave.
• Education assistance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible working arrangement where applies (up to 2 days/week after initial 90 days and approval by hiring manager and HR)
• Community giving through matching donations.
• Compensation range: $102,103.00-$153,153.00 (individual wage based on previous experience, knowledge, and skills)
• Relocation Assistance

Our Commitment to Diversity
Achieving our vision to Lead Dairy Forward requires cultivating and supporting a team with varying backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We are committed to providing a workplace based on mutual respect where all employees feel included and can bring their best and authentic selves to work every day. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer. We welcome all qualified applicants without regard torace, color, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, marital status, creed, religion, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. As a condition of employment applicants offered a role will be required to successfully pass our pre-employment background screen, receive a negative drug screen result & confirm eligibility to work in the U.S. We participate in E-Verify - please follow the links for details, English / Spanish & view our Right to Work Statement, English / Spanish.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)