Packaging Engineering Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

In the position of Dir, Packaging Operations & Governance, you will provide global enterprise leadership for packaging strategy, innovation, and execution, serving as the technical authority responsible for delivering high-performance, scalable, and sustainable packaging solutions from concept through commercialization. Own packaging specifications, SAP Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) governance, and cross-functional integration to ensure quality, manufacturability, regulatory compliance, and speed to market across Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and secondary packaging platforms. Build high-performing teams and supplier partnerships while driving standardization, lightweighting, and continuous improvement across the global network.

• Packaging Leadership, Strategy & Innovation: Serve as the enterprise packaging subject-matter expert, setting standards and ensuring quality from concept through commercialization. Define and execute innovative, sustainable packaging strategies aligned with consumer, brand, and business objectives. Drive adoption of global best practices, emerging technologies, and platform strategies. Partner cross-functionally to align on priorities, timelines, and technical excellence.
• Technical Packaging Development & Engineering Excellence: Apply advanced materials, process, and manufacturing expertise to deliver robust, manufacturable packaging solutions. Lead data-driven technical decisions, business cases, and trade-off analysis. Ensure all packaging solutions meet regulatory, safety, and performance requirements.
• Specification Ownership & Governance: Own creation, accuracy, and lifecycle management of enterprise SPECS (PET bottles, closures, corrugates, trays, carriers, pallet patterns). Ensure specifications define all Critical to Quality (CTQs), material requirements, design limits, and manufacturing/quality parameters. Lead cross-functional governance forums to drive disciplined decision-making and spec-driven execution.
• SAP-Centric Operating Model & Digital Systems Enablement: Establish SAP PLM as the authoritative system of record for packaging specifications, drawings, supplier capabilities, and line/plant constraints. Enforce standard workflows for spec development, changes, approvals, and qualification processes. Enable early compatibility checks, digital accuracy, and scalable deployment of solutions across the global production network.
• Packaging Development (PET, Secondary, & Print Systems): Lead PET bottle and structural packaging development through scale-up, emphasizing performance, quality, manufacturability, and line compatibility. Collaborate globally with regional engineering teams and corporate product development for brand consistency, liquid compatibility, and shelf-life studies. Drive lightweighting, platforming, and standardization initiatives that balance brand intent with operational
  efficiency.
• Supplier Collaboration, Capability, and Regulatory Oversight: Lead technical engagement with packaging suppliers (bottles, resin, corrugate, converters, printers). Document and maintain supplier capabilities within SAP PLM; support co-innovation and value engineering. Lead cadence with other technical functions to meet with global suppliers in areas such as can / coating legal compliance, can industry related activities.
• Meet and report with global suppliers in areas such as can / coating legal compliance, can industry related activities.  Meetings include industry coating suppliers, ink suppliers, can companies, and outside legal teams. Track and report can and end compliance / regulations as needed.
  

• Bachelor's Degree in the field of Packaging, Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, or other Engineering field.  MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in Product Development, Process Engineering required.
• At least 7 years of experience in Project Management.
• Experience with Smartsheet, Microsoft PM or other project management system. SAP experience preferred. Preferred Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred.