Director, Packaging

About the role

We are seeking a Director of Packaging to join our team at our Oak Brook, Illinois corporate office. This role will lead the strategic direction, design, development, validation, and implementation of packaging technologies, line extensions, package/product improvements, and technical services across TreeHouse Foods. Drive innovation and value creation through cost reductions, new technologies, sustainability initiatives, and packaging solutions that align with business objectives and product requirements. Provide executive-level technical leadership to elevate packaging as a competitive advantage for the organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for all packaging initiatives, serving as the primary expert on cross-functional project teams while directing internal and external manufacturing start-ups and ongoing technical support.
• Establish and govern packaging specifications, in-process control points, testing requirements, and operating guidelines to ensure consistency, compliance, and quality across the enterprise.
• Champion innovation, technology advancements, cost savings opportunities, and strategic alignment of packaging projects. Influence senior leadership on packaging strategy and serve as the go-to expert for the organization.
• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing packaging teams, including coaching and guiding senior and junior engineers to foster technical excellence and career growth.
• Direct the design, execution, and analysis of technical experiments, validations, and pilot programs to drive data-based decision making.
• Set the overall technical strategic direction for packaging, including identifying and initiating new programs, evaluating emerging technologies, and managing technical resource planning and allocation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated packaging solutions that support business growth.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly and influence senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders on key packaging initiatives, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop a strong technical supplier network.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Packaging, Engineering or related field is required. Master's degree is preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in packaging technology, materials, and development within the food or CPG industry, with at least 5-7 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven strategic leadership in driving large-scale technical programs and packaging transformations that deliver significant cost savings, innovation, and business value.
• Demonstrated ability to influence executive decision-making and provide high-impact technical input at the senior leadership level.
• Expert-level cross-functional team leadership and technical project management skills, with a track record of successfully delivering complex, multi-site initiatives.
• Recognized internally and externally as a subject matter expert in packaging, with broad and deep technical proficiency across multiple material types and processes.
• Advanced skills in project management, negotiation, stakeholder communication, technical problem-solving, and influencing at all organizational levels.

Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor's degree in Packaging, Engineering or related field.
• Preferred to have a Master's degree.
• At least 15 years of progressive experience in packaging technology, materials, and development within the food or CPG industry.
• At least 5-7 years of experience in a senior leadership role.
• Proven ability to influence executive decision-making and provide high-impact technical input at the senior leadership level.
• Experience in developing and implementing packaging strategies that drive innovation and value creation.
• Experience in mentoring and developing high-performing packaging teams.
• Experience in managing complex, multi-site initiatives and delivering technical solutions that meet business objectives.
• Experience in establishing and governing packaging specifications, in-process control points, testing requirements, and operating guidelines.
• Experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated packaging solutions.
• Experience in communicating complex technical concepts clearly and influencing senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience in building and maintaining a strong technical supplier network.

Skills

• Strategic Leadership
• Technical Oversight
• Innovation and Value Creation
• Executive-Level Technical Leadership
• Team Leadership and Technical Project Management
• Communication and Stakeholder Influence
• Project Management
• Negotiation
• Stakeholder Communication
• Technical Problem-Solving
• Influencing at All Organizational Levels

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits program with no waiting period – you’re eligible from your first day!
• 401(k) program with 5% employer match and 100% vesting as soon as you enroll.
• Comprehensive paid time off opportunities, including immediate access to four weeks of vacation, five sick days, parental leave and 11 company holidays (including two floating holidays).
• Leverage of DevelopU, a robust educational platform with more than 10,000 free courses to support career growth.
• Inclusive working environment where you can build meaningful work relationships with a diverse group of professionals.
• Opportunities to build on our team-oriented culture, such as joining one of our Employee Resource Groups.
• Access to wellness and employee assistance programs.

Pay

The anticipated compensation for this position ranges from $165,100.00 - 247,700.00 USD annually. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics and business or organizational needs. For certain roles, the successful candidate may be eligible for annual discretionary merit compensation award, bonus and equity pay.

Schedule

This is a full-time, hybrid role based in our Oak Brook, IL office. Travel up to 35% may be required to support project work.

Important Details

TreeHouse Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact disability-accommodations@treehousefoods.com