Senior Packaging Engineer

Hello potential future Oatly employee. It’s us, the original oatmilk company that started in Sweden back 25 or so years ago and has since expanded to the U.S. where we’ve continued growing at a rate such that we need more brilliant minds to come work with us to keep the momentum going and the oatmilk flowing.

Sustainability, health, and transparency are the core values that guide everything we do. Basically, we exist to make it easy for people to eat better and live healthier lives without recklessly taxing the planet’s resources in the process. If any of this resonates with you, then maybe you’d like work for Oatly, too. Now onto the formal stuff.

We are looking for a Senior Packaging Engineer to join our Product Development team. This role will be responsible for the packaging portfolio in North America. This includes taking ownership and leading strategic packaging projects (squads) and hands-on managing packaging trials at manufacturing sites, while working closely with internal and external partners. The role will report to the Senior Director of Product Development and have a dotted line to the Global Packaging Solutions Director.

Qualified candidates residing in Philadelphia, PA required due to business needs. 

Here are the things we want to hire you to do:

• Lead packaging solution work in our North American region: Collaborate closely with key functions in the organization, such as Operations, Quality, sustainability, and commercial teams.

• Lead cross-functional packaging project (squads): Lead the team, ensure delivery of results according to the brief, project goals, and timeline. Fostering an agile mindset and entrepreneurial approach within the team.

• Structure packaging development process: Identify relevant requirements, plan and execute trials, and assess different packaging solutions against these requirements. Provide clear recommendations, taking several aspects into consideration, to ensure the best packaging solutions are implemented.

• Conduct risk assessments and root cause analysis: Identify possible challenges and opportunities with packaging solutions. Conducting root cause analysis to address any issues. Develop and manage mitigation plans to ensure expected package performance.

• Manage multiple projects/activities simultaneously: Depending on the scope, timing, and composition of the projects, you will be expected to run several projects/activities at the same time. This requires excellent organizational and multitasking skills to ensure all projects progress smoothly.

• Create and maintain packaging documentation & specifications: Develop and update detailed documentation and specifications for primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging. Ensure that all packaging meets regulatory requirements and company standards.

• Align and actively collaborate with the global packaging network: Work closely with our global packaging network to align on strategies, way of working methodologies and share best practices.

• Participate in supplier and co-manufacturing discussions: Engage in discussions with suppliers and co-manufacturers to evaluate their offerings and capabilities. Build know-how on current and future packaging solutions to ensure we are leveraging the best available technologies and practices.

• Travel to different manufacturing/supplier locations: Travel to various locations, mostly within the US, to work directly with suppliers and manufacturing partners. This will involve approximately 15-20% travel and will help build strong relationships and ensure the quality of packaging solutions.

Here are the things we think you need:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Packaging Engineering, Material Science, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

• 8+ years of relevant packaging/material work experience

• 2+ years packaging experience working for a CPG food/beverage company

• Experience in food packaging technology and knowledge of food science, food processing, and product development process, with an understanding of food/process/package interactions required

• Project management skills and documentation discipline

• Experience of and knowledge in packaging construction both in terms of technical solutions as well as design for sustainability, recycling, and production efficiency

• Knowledge in technical test methodologies including physical testing and transportation testing

• Ability to listen to others’ ne