Packaging Engineer Manager

Job Description:

Job Summary:

• Lead packaging technical development and commercialization for strategic, complex and high-priority innovation, renovation and supply optimization projects, ensuring packaging solutions are robust, manufacturable, scalable and delivered right first time
• Serve as a senior technical leader within Packaging, translating project and brand requirements into packaging solutions and providing technical direction throughout the commercialization lifecycle
• Coach and develop early-career Packaging Engineers, building their technical capability, commercialization expertise and confidence to independently lead packaging workstreams
• Partner cross-functionally with Commercialization, Innovation/R&D, Procurement, Quality, Manufacturing, Brand and external suppliers to identify technical requirements, resolve packaging challenges and enable successful commercialization
• Ensure appropriate technical rigor and documentation throughout commercialization governance, including specifications, testing, trials, risk assessments and technical approvals
• Drive continuous improvement across Packaging Commercialization, strengthening technical standards, ways of working and organizational capability while improving speed to market and first-time-right execution

About us

With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, Diageo is home to some of the world’s most iconic drinks. From Johnnie Walker and Guinness to Tanqueray, Smirnoff and Don Julio, we craft brands chosen for life’s moments — from everyday connections to landmark celebrations.

Bring your talent, curiosity and ambition, and strive for your personal best alongside people who challenge, support and learn from each other. Together, as one outstanding team, we keep learning, improving and raising the bar for our brands, our business and each other.

Join us and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more.

About the Function

Supply Chain & Manufacturing is where our brands are made, moved and delivered to the world.

With over half of our people working across more than 100 sites, this is a complex, large-scale operation that brings together production, logistics, engineering and supplier partnerships.

It’s fast-paced and hands-on, with teams working together to ensure quality, efficiency and sustainability at every stage. From sourcing ingredients to getting products into customers’ hands, you’ll play a role in delivering the brands people know and love.

About this role

We're crafting iconic drinks chosen for life's moments, and this role sits at the center of how we deliver on that ambition, from innovation to renovation and supply optimization. Getting it right grows our brands and strengthens the business behind every glass. You'll partner with our Global Category Teams across a genuinely global business, and act as the voice of Supply within the team, helping us evaluate and prioritize the programs that matter most. We invest in your growth here, with structured coaching and a clear path to develop your career.

Experience/skills required

• BS in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related technical field
• 5+ years of packaging development, packaging engineering or technical commercialization experience in CPG, beverage, food, pharmaceutical or a related manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated experience leading complex packaging development and commercialization projects from concept through production
• Strong technical understanding of packaging materials, component development, manufacturing processes, testing methodologies and qualification requirements
• Experience translating consumer, brand and business requirements into technically feasible and scalable packaging solutions
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot packaging and manufacturing challenges, identify root causes and develop technically sound solutions
• Experience partnering with manufacturing sites and external packaging suppliers to execute trials, qualifications and commercial launches
• Strong cross-functional leadership, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex technical topics for both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience coaching, mentoring or managing technical talent; direct people-management experience preferred
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound technical decisions in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment
• Working knowledge of packaging specifications, technical documentation and stage-gate commercialization processes
• Experience with SAP and portfolio/reporting tools such as PowerBI is a plus
• Periodic travel required, up to 20%

Top Accountabilities:

• Own packaging technical delivery for assigned strategic and complex projects from concept through commercialization and post-launch, ensuring solutions meet quality, performance, cost, manufacturing and consumer requirements
• Provide technical leadership in the development, qualification and commercialization of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging components, partnering with Packaging subject matter experts where deeper category expertise is required
• Lead packaging risk identification and technical problem-solving, proactively developing mitigation plans and escalating risks that could impact project timing, quality, cost or supply continuity
• Plan and execute packaging development activities including component qualification, testing, line trials and manufacturing validation to demonstrate readiness for commercialization
• Ensure packaging technical due diligence is completed at each commercialization lifecycle step and that technical decisions are supported by appropriate data, documentation and risk assessment
• Partner closely with manufacturing sites and suppliers to ensure packaging solutions are manufacturable at scale and technical requirements are understood before launch
• Build a high-performing Packaging Engineering team through coaching, development, technical mentorship, effective resource allocation and career growth support
• Provide technical guidance and escalation support to Packaging Engineers, helping the team solve complex issues while building capability and increasing independent technical ownership
• Manage engineering resources across the packaging project portfolio, balancing business priorities, project complexity, technical risk and individual development opportunities
• Champion continuous improvement across Packaging Commercialization by developing and implementing improved technical standards, tools, processes and best practices that increase speed, quality and first-time-right execution undefined

Working with Us

Flexibility is key to our success. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you so that you’re supported to manage your wellbeing and balance your priorities from day one.

We recognise and value performance, offering our people a highly competitive Rewards and Benefits package including:

Our purpose is crafting iconic drinks chosen for life’s moments. And it’s our people, with their different experiences, perspectives and talents, who make that possible.

We value diversity in its broadest sense and want everyone to feel they can belong, contribute and strive for their personal best. You’ll work alongside people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives — challenging, supporting and learning from one another as one outstanding team.

Together, we’re constantly learning and improving, combining the strength of our people, capabilities and iconic brands to raise the bar, grow and win. Wherever you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, make an impact and play your part in making life’s moments mean a little more.

Ready to bring your best? This could be your opportunity.

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please ensure that you capture this information when you submit your application.

Recruitment Scam Warning

Protecting candidates is very important to us. All communications regarding your application will come from an email address ending in @diageo.com. In our recruitment process, we'll never ask for money.

Worker Type:

Regular

Primary Location:

Plainfield Tech Centre

Additional Locations:

Job Posting Start Date:

2026-10-13

PLAINFIELD, ILLINOIS: SALARY RANGE IS FROM $89,775 TO $149,625 (ANNUAL)

At Diageo certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, including annual incentive payment and stock awards. US-based employees are eligible for healthcare benefits, retirement benefits, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellness benefits and industry leading parental leave, among others. (Benefits/perks listed may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Diageo and the country where you work.) The salary range displayed is the salary range for the role’s primary location.