*Due to the acquisition of Hostess Brands, we have several opportunities for new team members in our Sweet Baked Snacks team which will be permanently located in Orrville, Ohio! *

Your Opportunity as the Scientist, Packaging Development-Sweet Baked Snacks Research & Development Team

In this role you will use your understanding of Packaging Science or Engineering to perform more advanced and critical experimental work of applied research and/or development including planning experiments, generating, and analyzing data, and sharing recommendations to a cross-functional team. Packaging Scientists plan and execute a broad range of technical tasks and must be able to work effectively independently or within a team. On a cross functional team, you will be the lead expert in packaging and your technical input and the output of your trials, experiments, and research will impact the direction of your projects. Your work is typically "hands on" in a lab, in a plant or pilot plant, at a critical site, on a computer, or with consumers for all Sweet Baked Snacks.

Location: Corporate Offices in Orrville, Ohio

Work Arrangements: Ability to travel up to 30% on an ongoing basis (travel frequency dependent on projects and product launch pipeline). Due to the transition of the team from Lenexa, Kansas to Orrville, OH travel may be higher in the first 6 months (Up to 50% at times).

In this role you will:

Be a leader and "voice of packaging" for assigned projects
Collaborate with Products R&D, Creative Services, Brand Management, and Suppliers in early-stage new package and/or new product design. Lead discussion on brief design for packaging material and functionality
Design, develop and implement new packaging based upon consumer and business needs, utilizing formats such as film/laminate, thermoforming, injection molding, paperboard, and corrugated independently.
Define and conduct package development testing to ensure readiness for production, distribution, package stability, shelf life, sustainability, and consumer use independently.
Design and execute package qualifications with Suppliers and production facilities independently.
Plan, execute, analyze and summarize plant trials independently by collaborating with manufacturing and site technical resources.
Create performance-based specifications for upload into electronic database specification system.
Advise and recommend equipment suppliers and service providers to the cross functional organization in support of new product launches.
Assess legal and environmental aspects, and patent opportunities for new packaging. Be aware of patent landscape in technical areas of expertise. Significantly contribute to patents that might be written on new technologies.
Provide and champion innovative ideas leading to the application of new packaging, sustainable technologies, cost savings/efficiency, and solving packaging-related challenges to cross functional peers.
Lead packaging technical support organization as needed to resolve packaging supply chain or production technical issues. Have the ability to lead problem solving sessions with cross functional team members
Create close contacts with strategic packaging suppliers. Be able to scout for new packaging opportunities at trade shows and conferences.

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

B.S. Degree in Packaging Science/Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Material Science
5+ years in packaging development or operations technical support within CPG (food, beverage, or medical)
Experience in package development or operations technical support from full-time employment within a CPG (food, beverage, or medical)
Advanced knowledge of packaging qualifications tests and procedures. Able to adapt testing to meet project needs.
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Strong organizational, critical thinking, and creativity skills
Project management experience is highly valued, as individual will collaborate cross functionally to manage costs, schedules, and resources for the work
Effective presentation, verbal, and written communication skills
Comfortable in ambiguous situations and able to create direction as needed
Lead by example and be proactive to constant learning
Can work with personal and food safety in mind
Ability to travel up to 30% on an ongoing basis (travel frequency dependent on projects and product launch pipeline). Due to the transition of the team from Lenexa, Kansas to Orrville, OH travel may be higher in the first 6 months (Up to 50% at times)
Ability to lift up to 30 lbs

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

Experience in Food Packaging industry

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