Packaging Engineer

About CookUnity:

CookUnity is a chef-to-you marketplace connecting talented chefs with consumers, revolutionizing meal delivery. We bring small-batch, restaurant-quality meals to eaters nationwide, crafted by a diverse collective of all-star chefs. With over 100 inspired chefs from cities like NYC, LA, Austin, and more, our weekly subscription offers a wide range of hand-crafted meals to cater to various palates and dietary preferences.

By delivering over 1 million meals per month, we're also empowering working chefs, tripling their income, and supporting their growth. CookUnity believes in fueling stronger communities, partnering with Food Bank For New York City to combat food insecurity across all five boroughs.

About the Team:

The Packaging Engineering Team at CookUnity is a group of professionals dedicated to designing, developing, and optimizing packaging solutions for various products to deliver the company business objectives and growth aspirations. The Team plays a crucial role in ensuring that products are packaged efficiently, safely, and attractively, while also considering sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

The Role:

As a Packaging Engineer you will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of innovative packaging solutions specifically tailored for ready-to-eat meals. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including culinary, product development, manufacturing, supply chain and quality assurance, to ensure that packaging designs meet all functional, aesthetic, cost and regulatory requirements. Your role will involve hands-on testing, analysis, and optimization of packaging materials and components to enhance meal protection, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, with a focus on the unique needs of ready meals category.

Responsibilities:

• Search and Development: Assist in the search, design and development of packaging solutions for new and existing ready meal products.
• Testing and Analysis: Conduct packaging performance tests to ensure suitability, protection and compliance with industry standards.
• Collaboration: Work with cross-functional teams to integrate packaging solutions into the ready meal development process.
• Documentation: Prepare and maintain detailed packaging die-lines, designs, specifications, and documentation.
• Cost Optimization: Analyze and optimize packaging materials to reduce costs without compromising quality, focusing on delivering consumer expectations.
• Compliance: Ensure all packaging solutions comply with relevant regulations and standards for ready meals.

Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering field.
• Experience: 3-5 years of experience in packaging engineering or a related field, preferably with experience in food packaging, including internships and co-ops.
• Availability to travel up to 20%.
• Technical Skills:
  • Knowledge of packaging materials (paper, plastics, rigids, films, etc.) suitable for food.
  • Proficiency in reading and creating die-lines, using packaging design tools.
  • Understanding of packaging testing methods and standards.
• Soft Skills:
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
  • Attention to detail and organizational skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Preferred requirements:

• Experience with Food Packaging: Prior experience in food packaging, especially ready meals, can be a significant advantage.
• Knowledge of Food Safety Regulations: Familiarity with food safety standards and regulations such as FDA, HACCP, and ISO.
• Food Shelf Life Science Experience: knowledge of modified atmosphere and material properties and how they interact with food products, especially under various storage conditions.
• Technical Writing: Strong technical writing skills for creating detailed test reports, specifications, and documentation.
• Packaging Sustainability: Familiarity with sustainability practices in packaging for food products.

Benefits

🩺 Health Insurance coverage

🌅 401k Plan

⛱ PTO policy and paid sick days

🗓️ 5- year Sabbatical: After 5 years with CookUnity, you get a 4-week paid sabbatical

🐣 Family leave: ****12 weeks for primary caregiver and 6 weeks for secondary caregiver, fully paid

🕯 Compassionate Leave: 3-5 days each time the need arises

🥘 A generous amount of CookUnity credits to enjoy our amazing meals, added to your account, monthly

🧘🏽‍♀️ Wellness perks: access to a nutritional coach and fitness subsidies to build a healthy lifestyle

👩🏾‍🏫 Personalized Spanish coach

🌟 Awesome opportunity to join a company that is looking to change how we eat and how chefs work!

#LI-Hybrid

#enghp