Simmons Prepared Foods Inc in
Senior Director, Packaging Engineer
Simmons Prepared Foods Inc in, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, United States, 72761
Senior Director, Packaging Engineer (Finance)
The Senior Director of Packaging Engineering will lead the strategic vision and execution of packaging initiatives across the Simmons Enterprise. This role is pivotal in driving innovation, ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance, and delivering sustainable, cost-effective packaging solutions that enhance product integrity and consumer experience. Responsibilities
Packaging Strategy & Innovation: Develop and implement packaging strategies that support brand growth, product protection, and shelf‑life optimization for food and pet food products. Operations & Process Optimization: Improve packaging line efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance throughput across manufacturing facilities. Involved in equipment selection and/or upgrades in collaboration with Operations and Engineering. Innovation Leadership: Lead cross‑functional innovation projects focused on new packaging formats, materials, and technologies tailored to food and pet food applications. Sustainability Leadership: Champion sustainable packaging initiatives, including recyclable, compostable, and reduced‑plastic solutions aligned with industry and consumer expectations. Regulatory & Food Safety Compliance: Ensure packaging meets FDA, USDA, AAFCO, and other relevant food safety and labeling regulations. Team & Cross‑Functional Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of packaging engineers while collaborating with R&D, Operations, Marketing, Compliance, Sustainability, Procurement, and External Partners. Cost Management & Supplier Strategy: Drive cost savings with Procurement through material optimization, supplier negotiations, and value engineering. Participates as a member of the Team: Attends appropriate team meetings, participates in the ongoing development, communication, and implementation of team concepts, programs, and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position. Physical Activities: Regular visits to manufacturing or packaging lines. Walking or standing for extended periods of time. Handling packaging prototypes, lifting, and manipulating packaging samples. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As required by visiting facility. Travel: Up to 50% of travel includes plant visits, remote offices, and supplier sites. Qualifications
Technical Experience: Provide technical oversight with limited hands‑on involvement in CAD and prototyping, especially for food‑grade packaging. Operate at a high strategic level, influencing long‑term packaging direction and innovation pipelines. Oversee scope, timelines, and execution of packaging development and commercialization projects. CAD software, PLM systems, and sustainability analysis tools. Deep knowledge of barrier materials, flexible and rigid packaging, and food‑safe adhesives and inks. Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills. Familiarity with packaging validation, shelf‑life testing, and transportation studies. Industry Experience: 10+ years of experience in packaging roles within the food or pet food industry. Proven success in leading cross‑functional teams and delivering packaging innovation. Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Food Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field or 4 years related experience. Preferred Education: Master's degree in Packaging Engineering, Food Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.
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The Senior Director of Packaging Engineering will lead the strategic vision and execution of packaging initiatives across the Simmons Enterprise. This role is pivotal in driving innovation, ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance, and delivering sustainable, cost-effective packaging solutions that enhance product integrity and consumer experience. Responsibilities
Packaging Strategy & Innovation: Develop and implement packaging strategies that support brand growth, product protection, and shelf‑life optimization for food and pet food products. Operations & Process Optimization: Improve packaging line efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance throughput across manufacturing facilities. Involved in equipment selection and/or upgrades in collaboration with Operations and Engineering. Innovation Leadership: Lead cross‑functional innovation projects focused on new packaging formats, materials, and technologies tailored to food and pet food applications. Sustainability Leadership: Champion sustainable packaging initiatives, including recyclable, compostable, and reduced‑plastic solutions aligned with industry and consumer expectations. Regulatory & Food Safety Compliance: Ensure packaging meets FDA, USDA, AAFCO, and other relevant food safety and labeling regulations. Team & Cross‑Functional Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of packaging engineers while collaborating with R&D, Operations, Marketing, Compliance, Sustainability, Procurement, and External Partners. Cost Management & Supplier Strategy: Drive cost savings with Procurement through material optimization, supplier negotiations, and value engineering. Participates as a member of the Team: Attends appropriate team meetings, participates in the ongoing development, communication, and implementation of team concepts, programs, and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position. Physical Activities: Regular visits to manufacturing or packaging lines. Walking or standing for extended periods of time. Handling packaging prototypes, lifting, and manipulating packaging samples. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As required by visiting facility. Travel: Up to 50% of travel includes plant visits, remote offices, and supplier sites. Qualifications
Technical Experience: Provide technical oversight with limited hands‑on involvement in CAD and prototyping, especially for food‑grade packaging. Operate at a high strategic level, influencing long‑term packaging direction and innovation pipelines. Oversee scope, timelines, and execution of packaging development and commercialization projects. CAD software, PLM systems, and sustainability analysis tools. Deep knowledge of barrier materials, flexible and rigid packaging, and food‑safe adhesives and inks. Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills. Familiarity with packaging validation, shelf‑life testing, and transportation studies. Industry Experience: 10+ years of experience in packaging roles within the food or pet food industry. Proven success in leading cross‑functional teams and delivering packaging innovation. Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Food Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field or 4 years related experience. Preferred Education: Master's degree in Packaging Engineering, Food Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.
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