_{25th September, 2026}

Packaging Engineer – Sustainable Food & CPG Packaging | Southeast Wisconsin

What if your next role let you touch every stage of packaging, from the first prototype to the day a new line starts up? This is that role. Our client is a growing, well-established food manufacturer. You will help identify, develop, and commercialize new, improved, and cost-reduced packaging across their full product portfolio, with sustainability at the center of the work.

This is not a desk-bound specification job. You will test and prototype packages hands-on, support plant trials and start-ups, review production samples with vendors, and weigh in on the packaging equipment that gets selected. If you like seeing your engineering decisions show up on real products on retail shelves, you will feel right at home.

Why This Opportunity Is Different
Many packaging roles lock you into one line or one material. This one gives you breadth across materials, formats, and projects, from continuous improvement initiatives to new start-ups and capacity expansions. You will report directly to senior packaging leadership and partner closely with Sales, Customer Success, and Supply Chain, so you get real leadership access and visibility for your work. The organization invests in its people with tuition reimbursement, continuous learning, and incentive potential for every position, so there is room to grow your skills and your career.

What You'll Be Doing

• Developing and commercializing new, improved, and cost-reduced packaging with a strong sustainability focus
• Supporting packaging-driven projects, trials, new start-ups, and capacity expansions at plant level
• Performing hands-on package testing and prototyping alongside external partners
• Partnering with Sales, Customer Success, and Supply Chain to keep packaging aligned with supply plans and production schedules
• Keeping projects on time and within approved budgets
• Reviewing preliminary production samples and giving vendors clear improvement feedback
• Inspecting packaging against customer specifications and supporting packaging validation
• Driving continuous improvement, process efficiency, and better demand forecast accuracy
• Participating in packaging equipment and machinery selection and evaluation

What We're Looking For

• 2+ years of experience in the packaging or engineering industry
• Solid understanding of packaging material capabilities and packaging equipment
• Knowledge of packaging and shipping test methods, food packaging principles, critical control points, and new product scale-up
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to pull, cleanse, and organize data for reporting
• Excellent planning, communication, organizational, and leadership skills
• A self-starter who adapts quickly, works well under pressure, and thrives in a team environment
• Valid driver's license and the ability to be insured under the company's insurance carrier
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Bachelor's degree in packaging engineering preferred
• CPG or food manufacturing experience, advanced packaging equipment experience, SAP, and bilingual English/Spanish are all a plus

Compensation & Work Model
Compensation is competitive and will be discussed during screening. This salaried position includes incentive potential, a 401(k) with company match, medical, dental, and vision coverage, an HSA, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, paid holidays, and flexible scheduling options. The role is onsite, split between an office environment and the plant as projects require.

Location & Travel
This role is based in the Kenosha County / Southeast Wisconsin area, within easy commuting distance of Milwaukee and the northern Chicago suburbs. Some travel may be required. Plant time involves a cold, wet food production environment with required PPE under Good Manufacturing Practices, and occasional overtime or weekend work may be needed.

How to Apply
To apply or learn more, contact: Hayley.Bester@tappwfs.com

About TAPP Workforce Solutions
TAPP Workforce Solutions is a specialized recruitment and workforce solutions firm supporting organizations across skilled trades, engineering, manufacturing, and professional services. We act as an extension of our clients' teams, delivering thoughtful, relationship-driven hiring solutions focused on long-term fit, performance, and retention.

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