Sustainable Packaging Manager - King Arthur Baking Company : Job Details

Meet Us:?King Arthur Baking Company is an award-winning, audience-leading baking company with a strategic vision to be the resource for baking education and inspiration. ?Through traditional and new media, in-person and virtual education, we strive to be a leader in helping novice and expert bakers alike. ?We're not going anywhere - we've been part of the family since 1790. We work to build stronger communities and increase access and the connection to real foods. We take pride in our responsible sourcing and our never bleached guarantee. And we work closely with farmers, millers, and suppliers in a continued commitment toward sustainability. Our wheat flour is grown and milled right here in the United States. Flour this good uses only the purest ingredients, free from GMOs. ?As a founding B Corporation, we are committed to using the power of business as a force for social and environmental good. We believe every employee's contributions make our company what it is: vibrant, successful, and committed to spreading the joy of baking. We are a welcoming and inclusive 100% employee-owned company.

The Position:?? The Sustainable Packaging Manager is responsible for bringing sustainability priorities into the design, development and selection of all packaging from concept to commercialization, across new products, new channels/markets, quality improvement and material sourcing initiatives in our full product line. This role exemplifies solid tactical thinking, blending strong analytics, creativity, and curiosity while also having attention to detail, including a strong problem-solving mentality and solutions-oriented approach to the work. Further, this role possesses a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and make risk based decisions in a fast-paced environment. They work closely with Operations, Commercialization, Marketing, Innovation, Sustainability, Quality, and Procurement teams to identify key opportunities to meet sustainability packaging goals with consumer and business need.

The Benefits: Yes, we have the regular stuff - medical, dental, vision, company paid short- and long-term disability, life insurance, paid parental leave, paid time off to rest, paid holidays to have fun, a 401(K) with a company match. But here's what makes us different: 40 paid volunteer hours a year, profit sharing*, participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)* and knowing that those working with you are dedicated and engaged co-employee owners that believe in you and your extraordinary abilities to move us all forward.

The Location: Hybrid combining working from home, and onsite in White River Junction VT roughly 2 days per month. Ideal candidates will be located within a 2-3-hour drive of our offices.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

* Analyzes and benchmarks sustainable, innovative, and competitive packaging trends to develop, inform and guide KAB packaging strategy that supports environmental goals and reduces product waste.

* Identifies and applies new and existing sustainable packaging materials and technologies toward the development of innovative new products and the continuous improvement of existing products.

* Designs, coordinates, and completes performance and compatibility testing in support of packaging component changes to ensure compatibility and functionality across the supply chain.

* Develops and manages packaging specifications, including materials, designs, and palletization to optimize sustainability and efficiency.

* Uses packaging technology expertise for the application of sound scientific principles and the development of sustainable, new and revised packaging across the entire product line.

* Collaborates with internal teams such as Operations, Commercialization, Marketing, Innovation, Food Safety, Quality and Procurement in meetings, to drive sustainability initiatives and packaging improvements effectively communicating and presenting on deliverables.

* Leverages comprehensive knowledge of FDA and USDA regulatory requirements for food packaging to ensure full compliance with all legal and safety standards.

Experience and Education

* Bachelor's degree in packaging engineering, packaging science or related engineering discipline.

* 5+ years of consumer-packaged goods (CPG) experience with packaging development and/or engineering, including in-depth knowledge in sustainable food packaging, material end-of-life, circular economy, supply chain management, and overall consumer packaged goods packaging technologies.

* Knowledge and experience with packaging design, sustainable packaging innovation and packaging equipment.

* Clear understanding of the application of a broad range of packaging materials, structural design, printing and manufacturing processes.

* Demonstrated design thinking principals and application to the sustainable packaging innovation process to deliver new packaging innovation experience.

* Experience coordinating and leading packaging development projects with Supply Chain, Sustainability, Product Development, Innovation and Marketing.

* Knowledge of FDA and USDA regulatory requirements for food packaging.

* We value those who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior experiences will help them transition into this role.

Competencies

* Sustainability Expertise - Deep knowledge of sustainable packaging materials, technologies, and environmental regulations, with a focus on reducing environmental impact and aligning with company sustainability goals.

* Innovation and Problem-Solving - A proactive approach to developing innovative packaging solutions, addressing sustainability challenges, and resolving issues that arise during the design and implementation phases.

* Collaboration and Communication - Strong teamwork and communication skills to work effectively across departments and clearly articulate technical information, ensuring alignment on sustainability goals and project objectives.

* Project Management and Multitasking - Ability to manage multiple packaging projects simultaneously, balancing priorities, timelines, and resources to meet deadlines while overcoming unexpected challenges.

Success Factors

* Genuine enthusiasm for the King Arthur's mission, products and a commitment to living our values

* Community minded

* Open to change and drives continuous improvement

Physical Requirements/Work Environment/Safety

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical requirements

* This role consistently uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones.

Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.

Work environment

* Indoors, a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, or temperature changes. This role operates in a professional office environment where most work is performed at a desk. Remote work environment that meets KAB standards for work.

Safety

* Understands that safety is the responsibility of everyone at the organization and is responsible for adhering to/providing work in a safe and ergonomic manner, identifying unsafe conditions and correcting conditions immediately or reporting them promptly.

* Participates in safety and compliance training and safety and health programs.

Supervision

* N/A

Travel

* Up to 10% travel to packaging suppliers, contract manufacturers, industry trade shows and White River Junction, VT

Other Duties

* Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive and safe work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers, and vendors. As a proud Benefit Corporation, King Arthur Baking expects our employees to adhere to company-wide green norms and remain educated on company impact campaigns.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors protected by law. King Arthur Baking provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to participate in both the application process and during employment. Such individuals are encouraged to seek accommodations to allow them to apply for a position, participate in the application process, and meet the essential functions and requirements of the position.

There's room at our table for you! ?Apply today.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors protected by law. King Arthur Baking Company provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to participate in both the application process and during employment. Such individuals are encouraged to seek accommodations to allow them to apply for a position, participate in the application process, and meet the essential functions and requirements of the position.

* Amounts vary based on achievement of financial targets. Participation based on hire date and program entry date.