Food Packaging Advisor

Retail Packaging Product Safety & Quality Specialist

(Advisor, Food Safety - Packaging Industrial Engineer)

Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Retail Packaging Product Safety & Quality Specialist to support the development, compliance, and continuous improvement of customer-facing retail packaging. In this role, you will work closely with industry experts, cross‑functional teams, and a global supply base to ensure that all packaging materials meet the highest standards of food safety, material performance, regulatory compliance, and brand quality.

This position plays a critical part in advancing our world‑class product safety and quality legacy by analyzing quality signals, resolving packaging incidents, managing specifications, and influencing supplier performance.

Key Responsibilities Packaging Quality, Compliance & Technical Expertise

+ Serve as the technical liaison between Packaging Engineering and the Enterprise Specification Management System for all retail packaging specifications.

+ Apply advanced knowledge of packaging materials, design, and manufacturing to assess risks, ensure compliance, and provide guidance on new or existing components.

+ Conduct supplier assessments for all packaging materials, ensuring alignment with food safety and quality requirements.

+ Interpret and review packaging specifications, CAD drawings, and material certifications to ensure consistency and accuracy.

Data Analysis & Quality Signal Management

+ Proactively analyze product and supplier quality metrics, complaints, audit findings, customer feedback, and regulatory data to identify trends and emerging risks.

+ Lead investigations into packaging‑related incidents, customer complaints, and safety or regulatory concerns, driving root-cause analysis and corrective actions.

+ Provide data‑driven insights to internal teams and suppliers to support operational, quality, and compliance improvements.

Supplier Collaboration & Cross‑Functional Leadership

+ Partner with suppliers, engineering teams, QA partners, and international stakeholders to resolve issues and deliver packaging improvements within demanding timelines.

+ Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for Retail Food Packaging Product Safety & Quality, supporting new packaging initiatives, changes, and operational practices.

Required Experience & Skills

3-5+ years of experience in roles involving packaging engineering, packaging design, quality assurance, or material science.

Technical Packaging Expertise

+ Strong background in packaging and material science with emphasis in:

+ Plastics

+ Pulp & paper

+ Poly‑coated paperboard

+ Polypropylene (PP)

+ PLA, PHA biopolymers

+ Molded fiber, corrugate, and container board

Quality & Compliance

+ Experience developing and implementing quality programs, product standards, and supplier quality systems.

+ Hands‑on experience with product quality audits, particularly with materials and packaging.

+ Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, ISO, GFSI, and BRC compliant standards.

+ Understanding of food safety principles related to direct/indirect food‑contact packaging.

Analytical & Technical Skills

+ Strong data analysis skills with experience evaluating quality metrics, performance trends, and audit data.

+ Proficiency reviewing CAD drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.

+ Skilled in:

+ Smartsheet

+ Microsoft Office Suite

+ Service Now

+ Quality Management System software

Preferred (Nice-to-Have)

+ Experience supporting packaging engineering teams.

+ Prior work in food service, CPG, or regulated consumer products.

+ Familiarity with sustainability requirements or material innovation.

Team Culture & Work Environment

+ Operates under the Food Safety & Quality organization.

+ Works closely with the Supplier Food Safety Quality team.

+ Focus on customer‑facing retail packaging: cups, lids, containers, utensils, etc.

+ Highly collaborative and interactive team environment.

+ Strong emphasis on analytical thinking, investigative skills, and cross-functional partnership.

Hybrid Work Model

+ 4 days onsite

+ Fridays remote

+ Exceptional work‑life balance

Employee Value Proposition

This role is ideal for individuals who want meaningful, high‑impact work with visibility…