Packaging Specialist, Discovery & Innovation

DESCRIPTION

Driven by a commitment to research, quality, and service, PDI provides innovative products, educational resources, training, and support to prevent infection transmission and promote health and wellness. Encompassing three areas, our Healthcare, Sani Professional and Contract manufacturing divisions, we develop, manufacture, and distribute leading edge products for North America and the world. We have several locations across the US and are looking for new Associates to join our team!

POSITION PURPOSE

PDI's Discovery & Innovation team builds the future pipeline of differentiated technologies, platforms, and solutions that drive long-term growth and market leadership. The team focuses on early-stage research, materials and packaging innovation, rapid feasibility, and external collaboration to turn what's next into what's real.

The Packaging Specialist, Discovery & Innovation is a hands-on creator and technical catalyst within this upstream innovation engine. Reporting to the Director, Discovery & Innovation, this role explores novel materials, formats, and packaging technologies-and translates them into testable concepts, prototypes, and learning plans that can progress into the R&D pipeline.

This role is ideal for a builder who thrives in ambiguity, challenges conventional thinking, and brings both imagination and rigor to early-stage work. Success is defined by clear, on-time deliverables that enable stage-gate decisions and downstream development.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS ROLE

• Build what's next: turn emerging packaging technologies into real prototypes and proof points
• Own your work end-to-end: drive innovation workstreams with clear deliverables and timelines
• Shape future platforms: influence strategy, prove feasibility, and enable scale-up
• Gain real visibility: present concepts and insights to senior leaders and cross-functional partners

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

• Innovation Leadership: Lead upstream packaging innovation by developing and advancing early-stage concepts that align with PDI's future platforms and strategic priorities.
• Market Insights: Transform consumer insights and market signals into actionable designs and solutions, using strong commercial and technical judgement.
• External Partnerships: Engage with suppliers, startups, and academic institutions to leverage external innovation, exploring novel materials and technologies that can enhance packaging solutions.
• Portfolio Management: Curate and oversee a balanced portfolio of opportunities across various time horizons, ensuring alignment with the Discovery & Innovation roadmap and maximizing long-term value.
• Project Ownership and Execution: Assume full ownership of assigned innovation workstreams, managing project scope, timelines, and execution with a commitment to high-quality standards and successful handoffs to Product Development.
• Rapid Prototyping and Experimentation: Design, build, and test prototypes through rapid experimentation, allowing for swift learning and informed go/no-go decisions to evaluate scalability and feasibility.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with Discovery & Innovation scientists and engineers to seamlessly integrate packaging into early research, ensuring cohesive development workflows.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Identify and address technical, material, and regulatory risks early in the process, developing mitigation strategies to facilitate smooth downstream development.
• Decision Support and Communication: Synthesize findings into comprehensive technical narratives that support portfolio decisions and effectively communicate insights and recommendations to stakeholders.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

• Delivery of clear, decision-ready outputs (concepts, prototypes, feasibility plans, and recommendations)
• Speed to learning and execution discipline
• Quality and actionability of feasibility assessments and technical insights
• Advancement of concepts into the innovation pipeline
• Effectiveness of cross-functional collaboration and handoffs
• Impact of external partnerships and technology scouting

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION

• BS in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related scientific discipline from an accredited program
• Advanced degree preferred

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

• Packaging materials, formats, and systems
• Early-stage research and feasibility processes
• Awareness of packaging considerations in regulated environments
• Familiarity with emerging materials and sustainability trends

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• 3-6 years in packaging engineering, materials development, or innovation-focused R&D
• Experience supporting early-stage research or feasibility work
• Exposure to regulated environments (FDA, EPA, medical device, pharma, or consumer healthcare)
• Experience with prototyping, testing, or concept evaluation

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Apply strong packaging fundamentals to solve ambiguous, early-stage problems
• Translate insights into differentiated concepts and clear recommendations
• Design and execute experiments to assess feasibility and risk
• Synthesize technical findings into clear, decision-ready outputs
• Communicate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders
• Build strong partnerships internally and externally
• Demonstrate ownership, accountability, and follow-through
• Stay current on emerging technologies and innovation trends
• Leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to accelerate research and development

WORKING CONDITIONS

• No hazardous or unpleasant working conditions

SALARY RANGE:

• $80,000 - $115,000 Annually

BENEFITS

PDI is pleased to offer comprehensive and affordable benefits for our associates, which includes:

• Medical, behavioral & prescription drug coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) savings plan with company match and profit sharing
• Basic and supplemental Life and AD&D insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Short & long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Advocacy Program

PDI also offers many voluntary benefits such as: Legal services, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, ID theft and fraud protection, pet insurance and employee discounts.

At PDI, we are also committed to helping our associates maintain a healthy and sustainable work/life balance and are proud to provide associates with paid time off programs including: sick & safe leave, vacation, company & floating holidays, paid parental leave, and depending on the position we also offer summer hours and flex place/flex time options.