The Sr. Packaging Engineer is responsible for leading, executing projects and providing program management in relation to packaging assets ensuring adherence to Mars Standards for Safety, Asset Conservation and Quality & Food Safety.

This role requires advanced packaging technical leadership experience, with strong project management capability and cross-functional collaboration to lead the packaging asset plans for the America’s region.

What are we looking for?

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering - Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or a related field.

• Minimum 5 + years’ experience in project engineering with a packaging focus, preferably in food manufacturing, pharmaceutical or FMCG.

• Strong foundational understanding of safety, quality and food safety principles and standards, regulatory compliance and HSE and Q&FS systems within manufacturing operations.

• Strong project management credentials, with experience leading cross-functional teams.

• Experience with budgeting, scheduling, and contractor management.

• Proven ability to make sound decisions in complex and/or ambiguous business environments.

• History of building internal and external relationships and interaction with management at all levels.

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

• Work history and exposure across diverse geographic markets is advantageous.

• Up to 50% travel.

Preferred:

• A Postgraduate or master’s degree in business administration or related field

What are your key responsibilities?

Associate Safety & Asset Conservation – Your First Responsibility

• Provide visible leadership to foster a strong safety culture, ensuring all contractors, suppliers, and project stakeholders are properly trained, actively engaged, and held accountable for safe behaviors.

• Champion a zero‑incident environment by ensuring that all projects fully comply with all local safety and environmental regulations as well as Mars HSE and Asset Conservation Standards.

• Ensure all contractors and suppliers on site follow site safety procedures and permit-to-work systems.

• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation measures for all engineering works prior to any project execution.

• Lead safety reviews and toolbox talks for project teams and contractors.

• Integrate safety-by-design principles into all engineering solutions and drive improvements in machine safety, ergonomic design, and hazard elimination.

• Lead incident investigations related to engineering projects, corrective actions, and risk mitigation processes to prevent recurrence.

• Protect site assets by ensuring proper installation, commissioning, and validation of equipment.

Quality & Food Safety – Site’s License to Operate

• Design and execute projects in compliance with local food safety and quality regulatory requirements as well as Mars Quality and Food Safety Standards

• Partner with Site Q&FS teams to assess project-related food safety risks and implement change management processes to avoid product contamination or quality impact.

• Ensure all equipment and installations meet Mars facility and hygienic design standards.

• Coordinate validation activities with Site Operations, R&D and other stakeholders during FAT, SAT, IQ/OQ where required.

• Support internal and external audits by ensuring engineering compliance documentation is complete.

• Maintain accurate documentation including P&IDs, SOP updates, and technical files.

Project Management

• Support/Lead end-to-end project management using RC PMP process for assigned engineering projects, from concept through execution, commissioning and handover. 

• Support/Manage budgets, forecasts, and cost control measures for some projects.

• Track project progress, identify risks, and implement corrective actions to ensure successful delivery.

• Ensure all project documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with Mars standards.

• Communicate project status, risks, and achievements to stakeholders and leadership teams.

Technical Leadership & Engineering Excellence

• Program Management – Establish a program to manage packaging needs in the America’s region by vendor performance management and leading a COP with site PPI’s. Strong collaboration with GTL is a must.

• Packaging Expertise – Must have knowledge of packaging line design, installation and startup. Preferably Dry Petfood packaging.

• Network Performance – Understand America’s packaging line performance. Collaborate with IE team and sites on where we can improve performance and where to focus using data and expertise.

• CI – Develop and lead the regions needs for standard improvements. Support deployment of the Packaging Cockpit. Research and co-develop with GTL packaging automation and innovation.

• CAB Projects – Provide guidance and support to project engineers during MPAR development and installation. Take lead on developing/executing IQ/OQ and collaborate with R&D deploy team on validation plan/execution. Partner with sites on startup plans.

• AHC – collaborate with AHC program owner and sites to ensure packaging assets are accounted for correctly in the program.

Stakeholder Management

• Present program/project updates, risks, and financial summaries to site, regional and global leadership teams.

• Build strong vendor and contractor relationships.

What can you expect from Mars? 

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus

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