Packaging Engineer

Simple Mills is on a mission to transform the way food is made—creating nourishing products with astounding ingredients and amazing taste. Founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith, our brand has redefined center-aisle grocery by delivering better-for-you products made with unique, nutrient-dense ingredients. Today, we’re a category leader and the #1 natural brand in multiple segments, with distribution in over 30,000 stores nationwide.

Now, as part of Flowers Foods, we’re entering an exciting new phase of growth—expanding our reach, accelerating innovation, and amplifying brand awareness, all while preserving the integrity of what makes Simple Mills special. Our commitment to using simple, high-quality ingredients ensures that every bite is both delicious and nutritious. Whether it’s watermelon seed flour in our cookies or butternut squash in our crackers, we craft our products with innovative, wholesome ingredients that deliver extraordinary taste.

Our work has been recognized by Fast Company as a Brand That Matters and a Most Innovative Company, and has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Women’s Health, and NPR’s How I Built This. In 2024, Inc. named us one of its Best Workplaces, reflecting our dedication to fostering an inspiring and inclusive environment where passionate individuals can make a difference.

Join us as we shape the future of food. Learn more at www.simplemills.com.

Role Description

We’re seeking a Packaging Engineer who is excited to play a critical role in delivering high-performing, sustainable, and scalable packaging solutions. This role will be responsible for leading packaging innovation and execution across our portfolio of food products. You will work cross-functionally with internal and external partners to drive packaging development that meets performance, regulatory, and brand standards, while also delivering on cost, quality, and sustainability goals. 

This role will report to the Senior Packaging Engineer. 

Responsibilities Will Include: 

Lead Packaging Development & Innovation 

• Develop primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions for new and existing products that meet performance, functionality, and brand requirements. 

• Identify and implement packaging optimizations that enhance shelf appeal, manufacturability, and sustainability. 

• Support packaging concept development through commercialization, including prototyping, testing, and supplier engagement. 

Drive Technical Execution & Line Support 

• Lead packaging qualification and testing efforts to ensure packaging meets Simple Mills’ standards for product protection, shelf life, distribution durability, and consumer experience. 

• Provide on-site support for packaging trials, new item launches, and scale-up activities. 

• Troubleshoot packaging-related issues in production and partner with contract manufacturers and suppliers to identify root causes and corrective actions. 

Advance Packaging Sustainability 

• Research and evaluate innovative packaging materials and formats that align with our sustainability goals. 

• Identify and implement changes that improve recyclability, reduce material usage, and support our mission to improve the food system. 

• Maintain awareness of regulatory trends and evolving environmental standards. 

Cross-Functional Partnership & Project Leadership 

• Collaborate closely with R&D, Procurement, Quality Assurance, Logistics, Supply Chain, and Marketing teams to ensure packaging solutions align with brand strategy, operational feasibility, and consumer needs. 

• Own packaging timelines and deliverables within commercialization and continuous improvement projects. 

• Maintain and manage packaging specifications to support business continuity and compliance. 

• Perform other duties as assigned 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field 
• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on packaging development experience in food or consumer packaged goods 
• Deep understanding of packaging materials and structures (flexible films, paperboard, corrugated, etc.) and their performance characteristics 
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks), TOPS, and Microsoft Office Suite 
• Ability to lead technical projects independently and influence cross-functional decision-making at peer level and above. 
• Ability