Packaging Engineering Lead

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!

As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.

At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.

Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!

Your Role: Packaging Engineering Lead

As the Packaging Engineering Lead, you will serve as the Clinton site’s technical owner for all packaging materials, equipment, and processes. In this role, you will lead packaging projects, ensure compliance with global and regulatory standards, and support continuous improvement across Elanco’s packaging operations. You will partner cross-functionally with Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and suppliers to strengthen performance, compliance, and cost efficiency.

Your Responsibilities:

• Serve as site packaging owner, providing technical leadership across all packaging platforms (bags, blisters, bottles, cartons) while managing packaging-related projects and supporting supplier selection, testing, and qualification activities.

• Develop and maintain packaging specifications for primary, secondary, and tertiary components, ensuring compliance with Regulatory Commitment Documents (RCD) and supporting artwork changes with accurate dimensional templates.

• Ensure packaging compliance by applying global quality standards, supporting international shipping requirements (including DG/UN), completing annual product review inputs, and maintaining awareness of evolving FDA, CVM, and environmental regulations.

• Lead packaging quality investigations, including deviations, complaints, and change controls, ensuring issues are thoroughly evaluated through strong root-cause methodologies and effective corrective/preventive actions.

• Drive continuous improvement in safety, cycle time, inventory accuracy, and packaging performance by identifying hazards, supporting lean/OEE improvement projects, and participating in supplier audits.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Engineering Technology, Packaging Technology, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Required Experience: At least 5-8 years of demonstrated experience supporting packaging operations, packaging materials, or manufacturing processes in a regulated environment.

• Top 2 Skills: Strong problem-solving & root-cause capability and cross-functional communication/leadership.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (preferred qualifications):

• Previous experience working in a packaging engineering or packaging operations role.

• Experience applying structured RCA tools.

• Experience supporting audits, validation/qualification, or regulatory documentation.

• Knowledge of printed packaging materials (PPM) and supplier management.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint (beyond basic functionality). 

Additional Information:

• Location: Clinton, IN Manufacturing Site

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!

Elanco Benefits and Perks:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:

• Multiple relocation packages

• Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)

• 8-week parental leave

• 9 Employee Resource Groups

• Annual bonus offering

• Flexible work arrangements

• Up to 6% 401K matching

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status

Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.