Principal Scientist, Packaging Development

You may know McCormick as a leader in herbs, spices, seasonings, and condiments – and we’re only getting started. At McCormick, we’re always looking for new people to bring their unique flavor to our team.

McCormick employees – all 14,000 of us across the world – are what makes this company a great place to work.

We are looking to hire a Principal Scientist, Packaging Development immediately in Hunt Valley, Maryland. 

What We Bring To The Table:

The best people deserve the best rewards. In addition to the benefits you’d expect from a global leader (401k, health insurance, paid time off, etc.) we also offer:

• Competitive compensation

• Career growth opportunities

• Flexibility and Support for Diverse Life Stages and Choices

• Wellbeing programs including Physical, Mental and Financial wellness

• Tuition assistance

Position Overview

The Principal Scientist, will inspire and develop a team of packaging professionals while acting as is a senior technical leader responsible for driving cost optimization, manufacturing efficiency, and supply continuity across a portfolio of brand and products.

This role combines advanced packaging engineering expertise with strategic business leadership. The Principal Scientist identifies systemic opportunities to improve packaging performance, reduce total system cost, mitigate risk, and enhance manufacturing reliability.

The position serves as both a technical authority and strategic partner to Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Brand teams to ensure packaging systems are optimized for performance, cost, and long-term resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Project & Portfolio Leadership

• Lead multiple complex, cross-functional projects aligned to business priorities.
• Translate business objectives into technically robust packaging solutions.
• Provide strategic input into long-term packaging roadmaps focused on simplification and efficiency.
• Balance short-term cost delivery with long-term system sustainability and operational capability.

Cost Savings & Value Engineering Leadership

• Identify, develop, and execute cost reduction initiatives across packaging materials, formats, specifications, and suppliers.
• Lead structured value engineering programs aligned to annual CCI and productivity targets.
• Deliver measurable annualized savings aligned to category and division targets.

Manufacturing Efficiency & Plant Optimization

• Drive specification simplification, SKU harmonization, and material standardization.
• Partner with plant operations to improve line performance, reduce downtime, and optimize packaging performance.
• Troubleshoot packaging-related manufacturing inefficiencies, quality defects, and waste drivers.
• Lead packaging validation, line trials, and commercialization activities to ensure seamless plant execution.
• Support capital projects related to packaging equipment or format changes.

Supply Continuity & Risk Management

• Strengthen packaging supply resilience through dual sourcing, specification risk assessment, and supplier collaboration.
• Support contingency planning and rapid response during supply disruptions.
• Partner with Procurement and suppliers to improve service, performance metrics, and long-term cost stability.

Technical Subject Matter Expertise

• Serve as a recognized SME across multiple packaging formats (rigid, flexible, corrugate, closures, labels).
• Apply deep knowledge of materials science, manufacturing processes, tolerances, filling systems, palletization, and distribution.
• Utilize analytical tools and test methodologies to validate performance and optimize designs.
• Establish and maintain packaging standards, best practices, and governance processes.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Directly manage, develop and inspire other packaging professionals.
• Influence without authority across Operations, Procurement, QA, and Marketing.
• Build organizational capability in areas of responsibility.
• Contribute to strategic workforce planning within the packaging function.
• Mentor and coach junior packaging developers and cross-functional partners.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical discipline. Advanced degree or certification programs preferred.
• Experience:15+ years of progressive experience in food or CPG packaging development within R&D and manufacturing environments.
• Proven Accomplishments: Demonstrated success delivering measurable productivity improvements and people leadership.
• Technical Expertise: Deep technical knowledge across multiple packaging formats and filling systems.
• Leadership: Proven experience leading and developing lower level employees, and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Business Savvy: Strong financial and business acumen; ability to develop and defend ROI-based recommendations.
• System Proficiency: in SAP, Microsoft Office, and palletization software (e.g., CAPE).

#LI-CG1

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As a general policy, McCormick does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future. 

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Base Salary: $103,520 to $181,150

Base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience for this role, and/or internal equity of our current employees as part of any final offer. This position is also eligible to participate in McCormick’s Incentive Bonus (MIB) Plan. In addition to a competitive compensation package, permanent employees of McCormick are eligible for our extensive Total Rewards programs that include:

- Comprehensive health plans covering medical, vision, dental, life and disability benefits

- Family-friendly benefits such as paid parental leave, fertility benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and caregiver support

- Retirement and investment programs including 401(k) and profit-sharing plans