WHAT IS PACKAGING?

 

Packaging refers to any type of material designed to contain, protect, and preserve goods, facilitate their handling and transportation from manufacturer to end-user, and ensure their presentation and sale to consumers under optimal conditions. It also refers to the act of placing a product into its packaging.

Today, packaging follows an eco-friendly and sustainable approach throughout its entire life cycle — from design to end-of-life.

WHAT DOES A PACKAGING PROJECT MANAGER DO?

A packaging engineer is primarily involved in the design and development of packaging, material selection, optimization, printing, specification writing, technical follow-up, and testing. They must consider economic constraints, material migration, legislation, environmental impact, and packaging disposal.

In addition, a packaging engineer must define packaging process techniques, understand production lines, ensure high-quality manufacturing, and integrate traceability, logistics, and cost optimization.

This role requires managing a wide range of tasks daily, demanding diverse skills. A packaging engineer must be an excellent communicator and a strong team leader.

CAREERS IN PACKAGING

ESIReims is a well-established and recognized engineering school locally, nationally, and internationally.

As part of the University of Reims, ESIReims trains packaging engineers who:

Have a strong scientific background along with practical expertise in their specific fields.

Are skilled in problem-solving, team management, and communication across departments and with suppliers.

Are trained in both technical and interpersonal skills, with flexibility to adapt across packaging-related roles and industries.

Understand business and economic principles.

Have an international outlook, with the ability to communicate in multiple languages and use modern management and communication tools.

Packaging plays a crucial role across many industrial sectors, including agriculture, food, cosmetics and perfumery, pharmaceuticals, and various industrial and consumer goods. It is also a key factor in international trade.

In a fast-moving, ever-evolving economy, packaging lies at the intersection of innovation, design, technical and economic improvements, regulatory compliance (including environmental and sustainability standards), and consumer lifestyle needs.

To conclude, packaging engineers have dynamic and promising career opportunities across many emerging fields.

JOBS & CAREERS

From R&D to management and procurement...

64% work for packaging users:
From cosmetics companies to major retailers, and across sectors such as agriculture, food, and automotive industries.

36% are employed by packaging manufacturers/converters:
Involved in research, design, and production.

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

Multidisciplinary training at the highest technical level, closely aligned with industrial realities.

Average time to find a job: 2 months (around 50% secure employment after their final-year project)

Key sectors:

Food

Pharmaceuticals

Equipment and devices

Major retail

Cosmetics

Others

Average starting salary: €36,000

20% of graduates begin their careers abroad.

Further education: PhD, research programs, etc