Senior Packaging Engineer

Location: Iowa
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 candidate would have 5+ years of full packaging development experience, ideally in Agricultural, Pet Food, Food Ingredients or CPG spaces.
 
This person would also have expertise in paper-based materials and shipping durability, root cause analysis methods, and 3PL coordination and supplier quality. Additionally, they would also have experience with kraft bags, palletization, stretch wrapping, distribution, and damage reduction.
 
This is a 1099 Contractor (Independent Contractor) opportunity for 3-4 months at 10-20 hours per week. 
 
While this project is remote with some travel (1-2 times per month), candidates must be currently located in one of the following states: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, or South Dakota
 
Key Responsibilities: 
  • Identify root cause of product damage of unitized multi-wall PE lined kraft paper bag shipments. 
  • Conduct a thorough packaging systems assessment across internal and 3rd party lines. 
  • Recommend and validate corrective and preventive packaging improvements. 
  • Support implementation of trials and short-term improvement measures. 
  • Collaborate with internal teams and vendors on solutions (e.g., bag supplier, 3PL, automation teams). 
  • Develop a long-term roadmap for packaging durability and damage prevention. 
Typical Day to Day: 
  • Conduct visual line audits and plant walk-throughs.
  • Engage directly with our client’s plant team (Production Manager, Packaging Superintendent, Process Engineer, Plant Manager).
  • Review specifications, photos, supplier inputs, and historical data.
  • Propose and document technical solutions. 
  • Update client weekly on findings and progress. 
Ideal Skill Set & Background: 
  • Deep understanding of bulk powder and granular product handling. 
  • Experience with 50 lb. sack packaging formats (e.g., paper/poly bags with liners, valve bags, pinch bottom, sewn closure). 
  • Knowledge of bag design, performance specs, and failure modes. 
  • Familiarity with palletizing patterns, slip/tier sheets, stretch wrapping, and freight handling. 
  • Industry experience: feed, cement, industrial powders, and food ingredients. 
  • Emphasis is on large bag applications for dry goods in industrial or food supply chains. 
Requirements: 
  • 5+ years in packaging engineering, ideally in Agricultural, Petfood, Food ingredients or CPG settings. 
  • Expertise in paper-based materials and shipping durability. 
  • Experience with kraft bags, palletization, stretch wrapping. 
  • Strong knowledge of root cause analysis methods (5-Whys, Fishbone, etc.) 
  • Experience with 3PL coordination and supplier quality. 
  • Strong background in packaging engineering with focus on distribution, palletizing, and damage reduction. 
  • Project Management Experience.
Nice to Haves: 
  • 10+ years in packaging engineering, ideally in industrial or CPG settings. 
  • Experience with automation/robotic palletizers. 
  • Understanding of EPR and sustainability as it relates to packaging materials. 
  • Exposure to animal feed, agricultural, or food-grade packaging. 
  • Experience coordinating with regulatory or QA functions. 
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.
 
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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