Packaging Engineer

Job Description: Packaging Engineer - Nutrition Supplements (Contract Manufacturing)

Company: Innovations in Nutrition and Wellness (INW)

About Us:

INW is a leading contract manufacturer of high-quality nutrition supplements. We partner with our customers to deliver innovative and effective products that meet their specific needs and exceed their expectations. We are seeking a highly motivated and customer-focused Packaging Engineer to join our team and drive excellence in our packaging processes, directly in collaboration with our diverse customer base and product offerings.

Job Summary:

The Packaging Engineer will be responsible for the design, development, and implementation of packaging solutions that directly align with our customers’ brand standards, product requirements, and market goals. A core aspect of this role is the close collaboration with the internal team and, in some cases, customers to develop and refine packaging standards and protocols. This position requires a deep understanding of packaging materials, equipment, and processes specific to the supplement industry, coupled with exceptional customer service and communication skills.

Reporting Relationship:

This role works across all INW sites and reports to the INW SVP of Operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Location:

This position can essentially work from any location, preferably located onsite at one of our manufacturing facilities in Carrollton, TX, Tempe, AZ or Ogden, UT.

Travel requirements dependent on business needs, primarily domestic travel.

Department: Engineering

Responsibilities:

• Packaging Design and Development:
• Align internal packaging capabilities with packaging design requirements that deliver their packaging vision, brand guidelines, and specific product requirements.
• Design and develop packaging solutions for a variety of nutrition supplement products, including powders, capsules, tablets, and liquids, tailored to various needs.
• Present and explain packaging concepts and prototypes to customers, incorporating their feedback and revisions.
• Work closely with customers to select appropriate packaging materials (bottles, pouches, jars, film, etc.) based on product compatibility, shelf-life requirements, cost considerations, internal equipment capabilities and customer preferences.
• Optimize packaging and palletization designs for efficiency, sustainability, consumer appeal, and alignment with customer brand identity.

• Collaborative Process Standards and Protocols:
• Partner with INW team members and customers, as needed, to develop, enhance and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for packaging processes that meet quality and compliance expectations.
• Establish and maintain packaging specifications and quality control standards in direct collaboration with INW divisions.
• Conduct process validation and verification activities to ensure consistent packaging quality, with division and customer input and approval. Work to mitigate any potential risk in packaging acceptance standards.
• Equipment and Technology:
• Evaluate, select and align internal packaging equipment and technologies to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Work closely with Engineering and Maintenance departments to understand packaging and technology capabilities and bridge the gap when customer requirements may not directly align with in-house capabilities.
• Troubleshoot packaging equipment issues and implement corrective actions.
• Stay up to date on the latest packaging technologies and trends in the nutrition supplement industry – including providing sustainable packaging solutions.
• Dedicated Customer Interaction:
• Support Design for Manufacturing (DFM) teams across all divisions in packaging related matters that customers may want and ensure that customer expectations align with machine capabilities.
• Proactively communicate with DFM throughout the packaging development and production process.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to DFM and customers, as needed on packaging material selection, design, and specifications.
• Collaborate with DFM and Quality to address customer complaints and resolve packaging-related issues promptly and effectively.
• Regulatory Compliance:
• Ensure packaging designs and processes comply with relevant regulatory requirements, including FDA regulations for dietary supplements.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation to support regulatory compliance.
• Keep team informed of any regulatory changes that may impact their packaging.
• Project Management:
• Manage multiple packaging projects concurrently, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to customer satisfaction.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including Operations, Quality, DFM, and Product Development, to ensure project success.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in packaging engineering, preferably in the nutrition supplement, food, medical device or pharmaceutical contract manufacturing industry.
• Proven ability to work closely with internal team members and customers to develop and implement packaging solutions.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, equipment, and processes.
• Experience developing and implementing process standards and protocols.
• Familiarity with FDA regulations and GMP requirements for dietary supplements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a strong customer service orientation.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in CAD software and other packaging design tools.
• Project management experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with packaging equipment specific to liquid, powder, tablet and capsule filling.
• Knowledge of sustainable packaging practices.
• Experience with packaging automation and robotics.
• Experience with packaging testing procedures.