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Packaging Scientist (Multiple Levels)-Austin, MN or Northbrook, IL

Hormel Foods

Austin, MNJob$64–137K/yrSeen 6 days agoSeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$64–137K/yr
Location
Austin, MN
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Bachelor's degree

Job overview

The packaging scientist organizes, plans, directs, and conducts research into packaging technologies to develop improved and innovative packaging applications supporting company goals. The role provides technical advice and assistance, investigates cost-saving opportunities, troubleshoots packaging problems, and improves packaging efficiencies. The level offered—Associate, Packaging Scientist, or Senior—depends on the candidate’s skill set and experience. The position is based in Austin, Minnesota, or Northbrook, Illinois.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Project ManagementSelf-MotivationInitiativeCreativityIndependent WorkTeamworkScientific PrinciplesAnalytical SkillsTime ManagementRecord KeepingInterpersonal SkillsTeam BuildingWritten CommunicationVerbal CommunicationTechnical PresentationPackaging EquipmentPackaging ProcessingPackage SustainabilityExtended Producer Responsibility

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Packaging Engineering or Related FieldWork Authorization for Any EmployerNo Employer Visa Sponsorship Required

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off
Tuition Assistance

Full job description

Associate Packaging Scientist – Packaging Scientist – Senior Packaging Scientist

Hormel Foods Corporation

About Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS ® , SKIPPY ® , SPAM ® , HORMEL ® NATURAL CHOICE ® , APPLEGATE ® , WHOLLY ® , HORMEL ® BLACK LABEL ® , COLUMBUS ® , JENNIE-O ® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The Company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report and one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World’s Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. For more information, visit  www.hormelfoods.com .

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This packaging role organizes, plans, directs and conducts research in the area of packaging technologies that will lead to improved and new innovative and creative packaging applications in support of company goals and objectives. It provides technical advice and assistance to professional and non-professional personnel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Identifies, facilitates, devises and conducts research in the area of packaging which leads to the development and implementation of new packaging systems for the company. This involves maintaining competency in cutting edge packaging technology and broad packaging theory, and researching the feasibility of using this technology in conjunction with our products.

  • Investigates, recommends and implements packaging cost saving programs by evaluating new enhancements made to packaging materials and/or new design considerations with the planned goal of minimizing the costs associated with our products.

  • Fulfills the role as a technical service/troubleshooter when more broadly defined packaging problems at our facilities are beyond the scope of the plant/corporate personnel. May serve as a resource and advisor to other Packaging Scientists and personnel within the company.

  • Develops and plans systems for improving packaging efficiencies within the corporation. This includes the entering and managing of all packaging specifications for our company’s products and may also include development of software and catalogue systems for collecting critical data regarding packaging materials and package attributes.

  • Facilitates practical applications of packaging technology requiring direct interaction with other areas of the company such as Engineering, Operations, Marketing and Purchasing etc. Oversees the development and integration of packaging technologies with the many vendors and suppliers who work with the company.

  • Coordinates and plans specific projects effectively, on a daily basis, with the group’s Research Technicians.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Level of position offered (Associate Packaging Scientist, Packaging Scientist, or Senior Packaging Scientist) will be determined based on candidate’s skill set and experience.

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or related field

  • Project management skills with the ability to lead and run projects smoothly.

  • Demonstrated self-motivation, initiative, and creativity

  • Ability to work both independently and in a team setting.

  • An understanding of basic scientific principles.

  • Strong analytical, time management, and record keeping skills.

  • Excellent interpersonal skills including good team building skills.

  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills with ability to effectively present technical concepts to a nontechnical audience

  • Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require employer sponsorship for a work visa

  • Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer

Preferred

  • Packaging Equipment and/or Processing experience

  • Knowledge in the area of Package Sustainability including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Location: Austin, Minnesota (Company HQ) OR Northbrook, IL (R&D Office Location)

At Hormel Foods, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. The base hiring pay range for the role is between $64,400 - $137,300 per year, and your actual base pay within that range will depend upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location.

BENEFITS: Other components of Hormel Foods' total compensation package include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, discretionary annual merit increases, bonuses and profit sharing, 401(k) with employer match, stock purchase plan, paid time off, free two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.

At Hormel we invite difference and diversity in all aspects. We offer a space of support, understanding, and community. We are committed to the journey! Learn more about our progress here: https://www.hormelfoods.com/about/inclusion-and-belonging/

Hormel Foods provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.

Requisition ID : 36291

Hormel Foods Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

How this job compares

Set against the 2,289 open Research Scientist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 29, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$64–137K/yr
  • US median$150–228K/yr1,542 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $101K, is 47% below the US median midpoint ($192K) — in the lowest quarter of Research Scientist salary ranges across the US.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 17 open Research Scientist jobs in Minnesota and 2,289 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most across the US
Experience
Research Scientist postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 2 to 6 years (1,264 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 1,201 of the 2,289 open Research Scientist jobs (52%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 29, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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