Packaging Engineering Technical Manager

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

Drive packaging innovation and technical excellence across the enterprise. As the Packaging Engineering Technical Manager, you will serve as the organization's senior Packaging Subject Matter Expert (SME), leading complex packaging initiatives that support commercialization, manufacturing performance, and business growth. You will partner closely with Operations, Research and Development, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, and supplier partners to develop robust packaging solutions, solve critical technical challenges, and establish engineering standards that improve reliability, reduce risk, and enable first-time-right commercialization. This role is ideal for a strategic and hands-on engineering leader who thrives on solving complex problems, driving continuous improvement, mentoring technical talent, and delivering innovative packaging solutions that enhance product quality, operational performance, and customer satisfaction.

This position is structured as a remote role for individuals residing on the East Coast. The role also requires travel up to 75% of the time, which may include visits to other company facilities, customer or vendor locations, training sessions, meetings, and industry events.

The salary range for this position is $128,000 - $192,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications with annual bonus available (variable depending on performance).

In addition to the base salary, Perdue offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/Rx, 401(k) with employer match after 1 year, critical illness, accident insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, optional group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the company's technical authority for packaging systems, materials, equipment, package performance, and packaging engineering.
• Establish enterprise packaging engineering standards, qualification methodologies, design guidelines, and technical governance to improve engineering rigor and commercialization success.
• Lead DFMEA, PFMEA, design reviews, risk assessments, and engineering evaluations for new packaging systems and significant packaging changes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and maintain packaging specifications, validation strategies, qualification plans, engineering test protocols, technical acceptance criteria, and engineering best practices.
• Evaluate and qualify new materials, technologies, manufacturing processes, and suppliers to improve packaging performance, sustainability, manufacturability, and business resilience.
• Lead commercialization of high-risk packaging initiatives through design verification, qualification, plant trials, manufacturing validation, and production startup.
• Lead enterprise-level root cause investigations for complex packaging failures using structured problem-solving methodologies, statistical analysis, and engineering principles.
• Partner with manufacturing facilities to resolve chronic packaging issues and improve operational reliability and packaging performance.
• Lead cross-functional technical response teams during significant quality, manufacturing, customer, or supply chain events requiring rapid technical resolution.
• Develop innovative packaging solutions that improve product protection, manufacturability, sustainability, cost, consumer experience, and manufacturing capability.
• Drive continuous improvement through engineering analysis, lessons learned, and application of engineering best practices.
• Raise the technical bench strength of Packaging Engineering and cross-functional teams through mentoring, technical coaching, design reviews, and competency development.
• Develop engineering playbooks, technical standards, best practices, and knowledge management systems that strengthen organizational capability.
• Improve the quality and consistency of engineering documentation, qualification activities, verification planning, and risk assessments across the organization.
• Establish engineering performance metrics to improve qualification success, packaging reliability, manufacturing readiness, and first-time-right commercialization.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of progressive packaging engineering experience within consumer packaged goods (CPG), food manufacturing, medical device, or related manufacturing industries.
• Demonstrated expertise in packaging design, qualification, commercialization, root cause analysis, DFMEA/PFMEA, design verification, validation, and manufacturing support.
• Experience developing engineering standards, validation protocols, qualification methodologies, engineering specifications, and technical documentation.
• Strong knowledge of statistical methods, Design of Experiments (DOE), process capability analysis, measurement systems analysis (MSA), and data-driven engineering decision-making.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations, packaging equipment, materials qualification, supplier technical collaboration, and commercialization activities.
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional technical initiatives, influence technical decisions without direct authority, and improve first-time-right commercialization through disciplined engineering practices.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master of Science degree.
• Professional certifications such as Lean Six Sigma, ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Packaging Professional (CPP), or reliability engineering certifications.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors

• Position is partially sedentary, with work activity in an office, open-partitioned, cubicle environment.
• Travel to manufacturing facilities is required, working in wet and humid environments with temperatures ranging from 0°F to 100°F.
• Move light equipment and lift up to 50 lbs. on occasion.
• Work in environments with exposure to wet and moist floors, including metal and plastic grating surfaces.
• Be exposed to temperatures ranging from 28°F to 100°F with both ambient and 100% humidity.
• Handle products ranging from 25°F to 50°F.
• Be exposed to noise levels ranging from 50 dB to 110 db.
• Be exposed to chemicals used in poultry and food processing facilities.
• Wear and use protective and safety equipment required for the job as directed by the Company.

#LI-AR2

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline and 8+ years of progressive packaging engineering experience. Requires expertise in packaging design, qualification, commercialization, root cause analysis, FMEA, validation, and manufacturing support.

Key Responsibilities

• leading initiatives
• qualifying materials
• mentoring teams

Skills & Tools

DFMEA, PFMEA, Design of Experiments (DOE), Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA)

Job Details

• Category: Engineering
• Seniority: Senior Level
• Commitment: Full Time
• Workplace: Remote — Salisbury, Maryland, United States
• Salary: USD 128,000 – 192,000 / year
• Languages: English

Benefits

• 401k matching
• Generous paid time off
• Retirement plan

About Perdue Farms

A family-owned food and agricultural business producing premium proteins and related food products. — Industry: Manufacturing