Foods Packaging Senior Principal Engineer

Overview

Packaging R&D Senior Principal Engineer to lead the PepsiCo Foods North America - Sabra business packaging agenda, utilizing technical expertise and leadership to ensure continued growth and profitability through new consumer propositions and maintenance of existing portfolio focused on packaging innovation, sustainability, quality and cost. Role is based at Sabra’s Chesterfield Virginia facility and reports into Pepsico’s Global Foods Packaging team.

Responsibilities

• Develop short and long term strategies to optimize and transform packaging for improved consumer experiences, elevated brand distinction on shelf, enhanced ease of use, improved freshness, and/or improved sustainability.
• Work closely with Marketing, Design, Finance, Supply Chain, and Procurement to create new business propositions that are desirable, feasible, and viable to grow and evolve the business.
• Represent Packaging function in business leadership meetings with accountability for setting agenda, results and strategy within packaging for the business unit.
• Lead a team of 1-2 packaging associates to manage and prioritize packaging activities to deliver business innovation, sustainability and productivity agenda.
• Leverage sound technical knowledge in Foods Packaging Materials and Manufacturing Technologies to positively influence business agenda as Packaging Subject Matter Expert. 
• Influence adoption and implementation of packaging sustainability advances and enable progress towards Pepsico external packaging commitments.  Assure high level of awareness, understanding and knowledge of sustainability design principles across business partners.
• Model Packaging R&D competencies and actively coach team to continuously build and grow individually and as a team, driving an inclusive and learning culture.  Actively identify and solve for capability and capacity gaps through efficient use of internal and external resources.
• Build internal and external networks and collaborations to best leverage available resources and knowledge
• Partner with Food Safety Quality Assurance, Regulatory, and Legal functions to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and company policies associated with packaging materials and processes.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $123,500 - $206,750.
• Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 15% of annual salary paid out annually.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications

Education (Required)

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.

Experience

• Minimum of 10+ years Foods or Beverage Packaging experience preferably in an R&D environment.
• Demonstrated mastery of packaging materials, polymer science, packaging equipment technologies, business/financial analysis capabilities, effective communicator and influencer. 
• Rigid plastic packaging (PET, HDPE, Polypropylene) experience highly preferred
• Strong leadership skills demonstrating strategic thinking, clear setting of agenda and proven track record of people development.
• Strong project management skills in developing project timelines with multiple cross-functional touch points.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, influencing and persuasion skills.
• Strong conceptual, analytical and technical ability with excellent presentation skills.
• Experience in the development and execution of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging materials and have knowledge of the interrelationship with equipment.
• Experience with technical stage gate process, ability to create package development plans, manage timelines and budgets across all projects.
• Must demonstrate an ability to thrive in a fast-paced and consumer driven environment.
• Effective in complex, ambiguous, and fast-paced environments with competing priorities.
• Self-starter able to work independently and within cross-functional teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically up