Packaging Engineer & Sustainability Lead

Unilever is seeking a Technical Packaging Engineer & Sustainability Lead in Oregon, IL. The role involves spearheading packaging innovation and sustainability for hair care and supplements, developing eco-friendly solutions, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Responsibilities include executing sustainability strategies, assessing packaging performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and identifying improvement opportunities. The position reports to the VP of Product Development and requires technical expertise in packaging design.
Location: Oregon

#Keep Growing with Nutrafol

We’re a growing company. Everything we do, we do to help people grow into the best version of themselves. As the pioneers of hair wellness, we create clinically tested products for hair growth and provide support for people at every step of their hair journey.

Our multi-factorial approach targets key root causes of hair thinning using a patented blend of standardized vitamins, minerals and natural ingredients -- and is recommended by over 7,500 physicians and hair professionals for trusted, reliable results. We never settle, and are continuously challenging existing treatments and methodologies to advance the frontier of hair science. As we help our customers grow, we grow too -- by embracing individuality and differences, leading by example, and empowering ourselves and others with our passion for wellness and innovation.

Keep growing. It’s our mantra. Our commitment to helping anybody and everybody committed to realizing their own potential to grow.

About You

The Technical Packaging Engineer will spearhead packaging innovation and sustainability efforts for supplements, hair care as well as the direct to consumer packaging experience, kits and brand merchandise. This pivotal role will lead the development of cutting-edge, eco-friendly packaging solutions that align with our mission to create high-performance, luxury products that are sustainable and health conscious in design. The successful candidate will combine technical expertise in packaging design and materials science with leadership skills to influence cross-functional teams and reach our brand goals.

This role reports directly to the VP of Product Development and will work closely with Product Development, Supply Chain, Procurement, RA/QA, Marketing, Creative, Customer Experience and will be the key contact for packaging sustainability goal setting with our parent company, Unilever.

Responsibilities
• Develop and execute a comprehensive sustainability strategy and roadmap for packaging with key stakeholders that aligns with the brands overall mission and goals for a superior consumer experience meeting regulatory and quality compliance.
• Partner with the leadership team to set ambitious targets for a sustainable, comprehensive end-to-end packaging lifecycle for the brand with clear goals and timelines (e.g., material reduction, recyclability rates, carbon footprint).
• Assess packaging performance through analysis and quality testing to ensure it meets safety, durability, functionality and environmental impact standards. Supports selection of packaging to ensure product stability and compatibility.
• Ensure packaging meets sustainability regulations, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), owning documentation collection and acting as the key lead and contact for Nutrafol within Unilever.
• Identify packaging opportunities for continuous improvement by staying ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to align packaging designs with overall product and business objectives - working closely with Procurement to identify and develop strategic partnerships with material suppliers and manufacturers.
• Along with the Customer Experience team, identify, plan and execute a full welcome unboxing experience for direct to consumer customers that is functional, informative and meets sustainability goals within the broader packaging strategy.
• Partner with Product Development and Creative Teams to design new product development packaging, kits and brand merchandise.
• Work with Brand Marketing and Comms teams to communicate sustainability efforts and benefits of the brand.
• Own the technical packaging specifications and documentation across all manufacturers to ensure packaging quality.

Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Material Engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred
• 8+ years of experience of packaging engineering in the beauty/wellness industry; startup experience is a plus
• Strong understanding of sustainable packaging materials, technologies, and industry trends
• Experie…