PACKAGING ENGINEER PACKAGING ENGINEER 18 19 3. Food Packaging Engineers Collaborate With Other Teams Packaging engineers may work for a variety of locations, including food and beverage companies, packaging manufacturers, and consulting firms. They are typically employed by larger companies with diverse product lines, allowing them to work on a wide range of products. Their responsibilities often involve close collaboration with cross-functional teams such as Research and Development (R&D), purchasing, engineering, and marketing to develop optimal packaging solutions. They may also work with external partners and suppliers to ensure comprehensive input and expertise in the packaging process. These companies are the ones creating the actual packaging, such as Tetra Pak, which supplies the packaging used in production. 4. Food Packaging Engineers Are Heavily Involved In Cost-Saving Projects It’s one thing to design a package that performs a specific job, but it’s another to design it in a cost-saving way. The margins on food products are small and packaging plays a part in a product’s overall price. There are many strategies and initiatives that a packaging engineer could go through to reduce the cost of a piece of packaging. For example, they could: • Reduce the amount of material used • Utilize a more cost-effective material • Simplify the packaging manufacturing process • Design a packaging that optimizes space utilization during transportation. New technologies are constantly being produced, creating many possibilities for improving packaging. Packaging engineers continuously research new materials and processes to see if they can include them in future projects. Companies are always looking to reduce the cost of making a product. 5. Food Packaging Engineers Are Knowledgeable About Packaging Equipment The materials used for packaging are just some of the considerations when designing packaging. Engineers also need to understand the machines used in food packaging lines. Knowledge of this field includes actively participating in equipment selection processes and contacting suppliers for specifications. You can design the most creative packaging, but if it can’t run properly on a line, then it simply won’t work. 6. Food Packaging Engineers Must Manage Multiple Projects Simultaneously The food and beverage industry is dynamic and diverse, leading food packaging engineers to work on multiple projects simultaneously. Packaging engineers must be efficient with their time and utilize many time-management skills such as: • Prioritization and Planning: Engineers prioritize projects based on deadlines, complexity, and business impact. • Utilization of Tools: Use project management software to keep track of progress and deadlines. • Regular Meetings and Updates: Frequent check-ins and status meetings help keep all projects on track. Overall, deadlines are present on the job and it takes time to produce and test prototypes. Packaging engineers must be organized to meet their clients’ demands promptly. 7. Food Packaging Engineers Follow Packaging Laws Engineers have an ethical obligation to ensure that the packages they design accurately represent the quality and quantity of the product without misleading customers. Materials that could contaminate the contents and pose a risk to consumers are prohibited. For instance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned three specific perfluoroalkyl ethyl-containing chemicals due to concerns about their toxicity. These chemicals were previously used to make paper and paperboard packaging resistant to oil and water for contact with aqueous and fatty foods. Therefore, a packaging engineer could not develop a packaging that uses this material as this could have potential health effects for the consumer. Different countries have different packaging laws. For example, in Canada, all final designs must comply with the requirements outlined in the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act, which aims to ensure that consumers can make informed purchasing decisions. Alternatively, this falls under the Food and Drug Act in the United States. 8. Food Packaging Engineers Are Creative Problem Solvers with a Sharp Eye for Detail Being a Food Packaging Engineers demands a diverse range of skills, but some are absolutely essential. These skills are not just beneficial, they’re crucial for success in this role: • Data analysis — Packaging engineers rely on data to validate their ideas. Through constant testing and experimentation, they generate valuable data that needs to be carefully analyzed. This analysis enables them to make informed decisions regarding the refinement and advancement of their prototypes. • Creativity — Packaging engineers must consider packaging costs, materials, marketing, and shelf life, requiring them to devise creative solutions to address these characteristics simultaneously. This involves balancing various aspects to ensure an effective and efficient packaging design. It’s a complex process that demands creative problem-solving. • Attention to detail — This skill is essential for this profession because if a small detail is missed during the packaging design process, it could lead to product damage during transportation and handling. Overlooking packaging details could even lead to contamination or growth of harmful microorganisms, posing serious health risks to consumers. Want to learn more about what it is like being a food packaging engineer? Check out FoodGrads Podcast Ep 41: [Special] Highlighting CareersNow! Mentorship Sessions where we interviewed Swarna Ariyakumar, Senior Packaging Engineer at Mars Canada. Check out our podcast: The Power of Informational Interviews and Coop Programs with Sonya Turvey, R&D Packaging Project Lead at PepsiCo. Photo by Ofspace LLC, Culture/pexels.com Unwrapping the world of food packaging with Karen Aranha, Innovation & Commercialization Project Manager at The Hershey Company https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=5h7EWAeIs8w Curious about careers in packaging and project management? In this episode, Karen Aranha, Project Manager at The Hershey Company, shares her journey from designing merchandising displays and corrugated packaging for Hershey’s to leading innovative projects in the food industry. Would you like to hear career insights from research and development professionals? Our That’s a Food Job! podcast playlist dives into the world of R&D, featuring industry professionals who share their career journeys, insights on innovation, and advice for breaking into the field. Whether you’re interested in product development, food science, or cutting-edge technology, this playlist is packed with valuable takeaways for students and young professionals.
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