Senior Packaging Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

TruRoots Company is a leading natural and organic food manufacturer rooted in sustainable practices—from farm to fridge—under brands like TruRoots™, R.W. Knudsen™ and Santa Cruz Organic™. Our Chico, CA facility is committed to food quality, environmental stewardship, and community impact through waste reduction, water conservation, renewable electricity usage, and maintaining a Zero Waste to landfill production site.

Position Summary

As a Senior Packaging Engineer at our Chico facility, you will be instrumental in designing, developing, and optimizing packaging solutions that align with TruRoots’ commitment to sustainability, efficiency, safety, and product integrity. You’ll partner with cross-functional teams—including R&D, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Marketing—to ensure packaging meets both company and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

Design and develop innovative primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions optimized for durability, production efficiency, and sustainability

Create packaging prototypes and conduct rigorous testing (drop tests, climate, material compatibility, distribution testing) to validate performance

Partner with manufacturing and operations teams to lead packaging line trials and ensure smooth industrialization and transfer to full-scale production

Analyze material options, costs, ROI, and environmental impact to drive cost-efficient and sustainable packaging strategies

Manage packaging specifications, CAD designs, drawings, SOPs, and packaging documentation

Develop strong vendor and supplier relationships to source innovative and sustainable packaging materials

Act as packaging liaison across R&D, QA, Operations, and Marketing, contributing to new product launches and continuous improvement initiatives

Stay updated on packaging trends, regulatory changes, and emerging materials or technologies in sustainable packaging

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science, Mechanical or Materials Engineering, or similar engineering discipline

Minimum 5 years’ experience in packaging design and engineering, preferably within the food or beverage industry

Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Artios CAD) and specification documentation

Strong understanding of packaging materials—flexible, rigid, corrugated, film, etc.—and testing protocols

Experience conducting distribution, durability, and regulatory compliance testing.

Knowledge of Lean / Continuous Improvement methodologies is a plus

Proven ability to collaborate effectively with manufacturing, quality, design, supply chain, and marketing teams

Excellent problem-solving and project-management skills, with a sustainability-oriented mindset

Performance Metrics (KPIs)

On-Time Packaging Launch and Industrialization

Packaging material cost reduction and waste minimization

Packaging quality metrics : damage rate, returns, spoilage, etc

Supplier compliance and innovation metrics : sustainable materials introductions, lifecycle improvements

Work Environment, Schedule & Benefits

Based in Chico, CA at our production facility

Limited travel to other TruRoots facilities dependant upon on packaging trials and coordination with plant and R&D teams

Typical work schedule aligned with facility operations; flexibility required for production trials and line validations

Competitive salary range based on experience, with bonus eligibility

Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, and 401(k)

Commitment to employee growth and sustainability initiatives

Why Join TruRoots?

Join a passionate team grounded in natural foods, sustainability, and community

Contribute strategic impact at a facility recognized for innovation in waste reduction and renewable energy practices

Build collaborations across functions in a growing, mission-driven organization that values integrity, creativity, and quality

Equal Employment Opportunity

TruRoots is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, natural origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.

In compliance with federal and state employment laws, TruRoots prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants based on these protective characteristics. This policy applies to all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfer compensation, benefits, training, and termination.

We are dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment where all employees are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. Our commitment to diversity extends beyond compliance with the law. It is integral to our culture and central to our success as an organization.

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