Packaging Engineer
Location: Remote - United States
Department: CPG
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Department: CPG
Job Description
Adept Group offers an award-winning workplace for exceptional packaging industry talent. We work on a range of innovative projects for iconic brand owners. Our technically gifted team collaborates to produce unparalleled results.
We offer a great place to showcase your expertise and build upon your skillset. All while having fun with amazing people from a variety of diverse backgrounds. We’re driven, inspirational and most importantly, human.
We offer a flexible, creative culture focusing on 3 pillars - our environment, our communities, and our health and well-being. Join a team committed to building a sustainable future!
The Opportunity
Adept Group is seeking a Packaging Engineer (1099 Contractor)! This is a remote opportunity, and this candidate would work in Central Time Zone. The ideal candidate would also have 3-5+ years of experience in packaging operations/engineering in Food or CPG.
A candidate located near Austin, TX would be a plus!
This is a 1099 Contractor (Independent Contractor) opportunity for 6 months (with the possibility of extension) at 40 hours per week.
Key Responsibilities:
- Responsible for multiple packaging development and cost reduction projects.
- Evaluate and document new and existing packaging as related to specifications and expectations.
- Create and maintain packaging specifications, with a focus on flexible film and corrugate formats.
- Develop and execute packaging qualification plans, including plant trials; reporting against predetermined key performance indicators to verify impact and mitigate risk of packaging changes.
- Review existing packaging and make recommendations on functional improvements and cost savings opportunities, such as film barrier properties, fluting recommendations, pallet optimization, and cube out.
- Work with Supply Chain and Logistics to ensure package integrity from manufacturing to end consumer.
- Develop and maintain relationships with vendors to bring innovation, technology, and solutions.
- Lead sustainability projects to reduce waste from packaging materials, working with internal and external resources to set goals, and achieve measurable success.
- Monitor and ensure adherence to retailer packaging specifications.
- Responsible for approval of dielines and print specifications within the packaging graphics process.
Typical Day to Day:
- Collaborate with and provide technical expertise to Marketing, Procurement, Quality, R&D, suppliers, and co-manufacturers to determine optimal packaging specifications that meet aesthetic and functional requirements for new product introductions. Both primary and secondary packaging responsibility, which may include, but is not limited to, glass, plastic, caps, flexible film, corrugate, etc.
- Provide technical support to project teams to solve manufacturing problems related to packaging.
- Work with Procurement on supplier selection and RFP process for new and existing business.
- Evaluate and approve dielines and print specifications within packaging graphics process.
- Review new and existing packaging specs; confirm technical and commercial details with suppliers and co-mans.
- Document packaging data and ensure traceability of packaging materials and specifications.
- Communicate with internal teams on change management and issue resolution.
- Collaborate with Procurement and suppliers for updates, troubleshooting, and commercial alignment.
- 3–5+ years of experience in packaging operations or related field is required
- Experience across both primary and secondary packaging materials, including flexible film, corrugate, glass, rigid plastics, and closures.
- Skilled in packaging specification creation, dieline and print artwork review, and packaging validation protocols.
- Ability to lead or support execution of plant trials, packaging qualifications, and performance testing.
- Familiarity with supplier collaboration, technical troubleshooting, and packaging cost reduction efforts.
- Strong written and verbal communication; able to operate independently
- Proficient with packaging documentation and change management systems (e.g., SAP, PLM, or equivalent)
Nice to Haves:
- CPG experience (preferably food manufacturing) with a broad range of packaging formats, materials, equipment, & performance tests is a plus
- Hands-on experience with sustainability initiatives, including packaging waste reduction goals and implementation tracking.
- Experience leading or supporting supplier evaluation, qualification, and RFP processes.
- Familiarity with pallet pattern optimization, cube efficiency, and retail packaging spec alignment.
- Working knowledge of print specification development and approval (e.g., dielines, print-ready artwork).
- Ability to thrive in a lean, fast-paced, cross-functional team environment.
Disclaimer:
This is a 1099 independent contractor position. As such, this role is not eligible for company-sponsored benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, or retirement plans. The contractor is responsible for managing their own tax withholdings, insurance coverage, and other obligations associated with independent contractor status.
This is a 1099 independent contractor position. As such, this role is not eligible for company-sponsored benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, or retirement plans. The contractor is responsible for managing their own tax withholdings, insurance coverage, and other obligations associated with independent contractor status.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
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