Packaging Specifications Manager

About the role

The Manager - Packaging Specifications is responsible for leading packaging specification processes and data governance while providing direct supervision and technical guidance within Packaging Engineering. This role serves as the subject matter expert for packaging specifications and ensures alignment with customer, regulatory, and sustainability requirements. The position ensures packaging meets customer requirements, regulatory expectations, and sustainability commitments while supporting new product development, commercialization, and cost optimization initiatives. The PE Spec Manager acts as a key liaison between Packaging Engineering, FSQA, Operations, Sales, Sustainability, Sourcing, and external customers, ensuring alignment across internal systems and customer portals (e.g., e-halo) and regulatory programs (e.g., EPR, CAA).

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management - Lead, develop, and mentor packaging specification writers and/or engineers. Establish priorities, assign work, and ensure timely execution of specification deliverables. Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence. Manage performance, training, and career development of team members.
• Packaging Specification Management - Own and govern packaging specification systems (e.g., Specright, SAP, SharePoint) across the product lifecycle. Ensure accurate creation, validation, and maintenance of packaging specifications, including materials, composition, and formats. Standardize specification processes, templates, and data structures across the organization. Oversee vendor data collection and validation to ensure completeness and accuracy. Maintain packaging engineering libraries (e.g., dielines, pallet patterns, BOM structures).
• Customer & Regulatory Compliance - Serve as subject matter expert for customer specification portals (e.g., e-halo) and data systems. Ensure compliance with customer packaging requirements, sustainability disclosures, and technical documentation. Lead data readiness for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and other regulatory reporting programs. Guide adherence to regulatory requirements (e.g., material composition, PFAS/BPA disclosures) and internal governance. Support audit readiness and compliance with internal and external standards.
• Packaging Engineering & Technical Integration - Apply packaging engineering principles to ensure specifications reflect functional, manufacturable, and cost-effective designs. Provide leadership across packaging development projects from concept to commercialization. Partner with R&D, Engineering, FSQA and Operations to validate packaging through plant trials and testing. Ensure alignment between specification data and physical packaging design/performance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration - Collaborate with FSQA, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Sourcing, and Sustainability to align packaging specifications with business needs. Support customer-facing teams with accurate packaging and product data for commercialization and ongoing business. Act as a central resource for packaging-related technical inquiries and issue resolution.
• Continuous Improvement & Risk Management - Identify and implement process improvements to enhance data integrity, system efficiency, and cycle times. Mitigate financial and reputational risks associated with inaccurate or incomplete specifications. Drive initiatives that improve packaging sustainability, cost efficiency, and operational performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Package Engineering or related field and 5+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership, required.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and testing.
• Experience with specification and data systems (e.g., Specright, SAP, PMDM).
• Familiarity with customer and regulatory systems (e.g., e-halo, CAA, EPR reporting).
• Understanding of sustainability reporting and packaging compliance requirements.
• Ability to interpret and manage technical documentation, supplier data, and regulatory disclosures.
• Proven ability to lead teams and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage competing priorities.
• Corporate environment with frequent interaction with manufacturing facilities.
• Less than 25% travel as needed to support plant trials, audits, and implementation activities.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with pilot plant or manufacturing equipment.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently required to stand; sit; walk; use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, and talk or hear.
• Ability to stand and work in a production environment (cold and hot) all day.

Pay

The expected pay range for this position is $105,000 - $140,000 annually. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations.

Benefits

At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here.

Relocation package available.