Senior Scientist, Packaging Development- Frozen Handheld & Spread Research & Development Team
Hostess Brands, LLC

Your Opportunity as the Senior Scientist, Packaging Development- Frozen Handheld & Spread Research & Development Team

In this role you will use your understanding of Packaging Science or Engineering to influence the advancement of the Frozen Handheld & Spreads packaging portfolio. Packaging Senior Scientists lead and perform critical experimental work of applied research and/or development. The includes planning experiments, generating and analyzing data, and sharing recommendations to a cross-functional team. Additionally, as a packaging subject matter expert, and the 'voice of packaging' within Frozen Handheld and Spreads, your input into project briefs will shape its evolution. Packaging Sr. Scientists plan and execute a broad range of technical tasks and must be able to work effectively within a team and independently. Your work is typically "hands on" in a lab, in a plant or pilot plant, at a critical site, on a computer, or with consumers across our Frozen Handheld & Spreads portfolio.

Location: Corporate Offices in Orrville, Ohio

Work Arrangements: Ability to travel up to 30% on an ongoing basis (travel frequency dependent on projects and product launch pipeline). Follow department guidance regarding in person (Orrville, OH) Presence with a Purpose.

In this role you will:

• Collaborate with Product Development R&D, Creative Services, Brand Management, Supply Chain, Operations and Suppliers in early-stage new package and/or new product design. Lead discussion on brief design for packaging material and functionality. Bring forward new ideas and technologies that could improve product experience or unlock revenue growth.
• Champion the design, development and implementation of new packaging based upon consumer and business need; utilizing formats such as film/laminate, thermoforming, injection molding, blow molding, paperboard, and corrugated.
• Define and conduct package development testing to ensure readiness for production, distribution, package stability, shelf life, sustainability, and consumer use.
• Design and execute package qualifications with Suppliers and production facilities.
• Plan, execute, analyze and summarize plant trials by collaborating with manufacturing and site technical resources.
• Create performance-based specifications for upload into electronic database specification system.
• Advise and recommend equipment Suppliers and service providers to the cross functional organization.
• Look for and advise on legal and environmental aspects of projects that could provide a potential benefit to the company. Be aware of patent landscape in technical area of expertise. Lead patent opportunities for new packaging.
• Champion innovative ideas leading to the application of new packaging, sustainable technologies, cost savings/efficiency, and solving packaging-related challenges to all levels of the organization including management.
• Collaboration with the packaging technical support organization as needed to resolve packaging supply chain or production technical issues. Ability to lead problems solving sessions with cross functional team members.
• Lead the Technical Readiness process and/or collaborate with technical readiness leaders to identify critical issues and risks associated with meeting project objectives.
• Create effective relationships with strategic packaging suppliers.
• Act as a JMS packaging representative at seminars and conferences
• Mentor other packaging team members

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• B.S. Degree in Packaging Science/Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Material Science
• 8+ years in packaging development or operations technical support
• Experience within a CPG (food, beverage, or medical); prior food industry experience is preferred.
• Subject-Matter Expert with Packaging materials and/or equipment with a focus on either flexible and/or rigid packaging
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Excellent organizational, critical thinking, and creativity skills
• Project management experience is highly valued, as individual will collaborate cross functionally to manage costs, schedules, and resources for the work.
• Effective presentation, verbal, and written communication skills. Able to distill complex technical issues and communicate to non-technical cross functional team members
• Comfortable in ambiguous situations and able to provide leadership and direction on projects even if outside of technical expertise
• Lead by example and willingness to teach and mentor others
• Can work with personal and food safety in mind
• Ability to travel up to 30% on an ongoing basis (travel frequency dependent on projects and product launch pipeline).
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs

Learn more about working at Smucker:

• Our Total Rewards Benefits Program
• Our Thriving Together Philosophy Supporting All Impacted by Our Business
• Our Continued Progress on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity

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