Packaging Technologist Manager

Job Title: Packaging Technology Manager

Department: Continuous Improvement & Application

Location: Ohio (Columbus & Jackson)

Status: Exempt

Reports To: Corp. Sr. Dir. of Continuous Improvement & Application

Bellisio Foods, Inc. is a growing global company with a long history of providing quality, innovative food tailored to meet consumer tastes and lifestyles. While headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, our immense production facility in Jackson, Ohio, creates more than 400 products spanning a wide variety of frozen food categories, including single and multi-serve entrees, snacks, and side dishes. We are a values-driven organization, making a solid investment in those who foster integrity, prize authenticity, and possess an entrepreneurial spirit.

We cherish that each individual is unique and celebrate the differences that make each of us remarkable. Bellisio Foods commits to embrace diversity, empower through equity, and elevate marginalized voices through inclusion. We believe that our dedication to these values increases creativity, produces innovation, drives growth, and creates an engaged and thriving team. We are devoted to providing an inclusive environment, free from harassment and discrimination, where all team members feel welcomed, valued, and respected. + View details

Summary:

The Packaging Technology Manager is responsible for developing, optimizing, and commercializing frozen food products from concept through launch. This role applies technical expertise in food science, ingredient functionality, and freezing processes to ensure products meet quality, safety, cost, and sensory expectations. The position plays a critical role in scaling formulations to manufacturing while maintaining product integrity throughout frozen storage and distribution.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize formulations for frozen foods (e.g., entrees, vegetables, snacks, sauces)
• Conduct bench-top experiments, pilot plant trials, and plant-scale validations
• Ensure products meet desired taste, texture, appearance, and nutritional targets
• Apply knowledge of freezing technologies (IQF, blast freezing) and their impact on product quality
• Optimize formulations to control ice crystal formation, moisture migration, and texture degradation
• Address challenges such as freezer burn, phase separation, and reheating performance
• Lead scale-up from lab to full production, ensuring consistency and manufacturability
• Collaborate with Operations to troubleshoot issues during production startup
• Develop and maintain detailed product specifications and processing parameters
• Ensure compliance with FDA/USDA regulations and internal quality standards
• Support HACCP, GMP, and SQF programs
• Conduct shelf-life studies and validate product stability under frozen conditions
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through ingredient optimization and process improvements

• Support productivity initiatives without compromising product quality
• Analyze data and recommend improvements to formulations and processes
• Work closely with Packaging, Quality, Procurement, and Marketing teams
• Support innovation projects and renovation of existing products
• Interface with suppliers to evaluate ingredients and technologies

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field
• 7–12+ years of experience in food R&D, with strong emphasis on frozen foods
• Proven experience managing core/established product lines
• Experience scaling products from lab to commercial production
• Strong understanding of frozen food systems, ingredient functionality, and processing
• Experience with ready meals, frozen entrees, vegetables, or similar categories
• Excellent project management and prioritization skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to balance quality, cost, and speed in decision-making
• Effective leadership and team collaboration skills

Bellisio Foods is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran, or disability status.

Disclaimer: This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of an incumbent. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.