Assoc Sr Packaging Engineer

Position: Associate Senior Packaging Engineer

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Job Summary:

With minimal supervision from the Manager, the position leads the design and technical development of packaging solutions for new and existing products. This position is responsible for the development of  packaging  materials by working with Project Teams and Vendors to recommend, review, test and identify costs for various packaging design proposals.  The position is responsible for creating detailed specifications and accurate bill of materials for successful packaging implementation.  The position supports production facilities by assisting in issues resolution and optimizing packaging design to ensure peak performance.

The position is expected to manage a mix of low-to-medium complexity commercial projects which require fundamental packaging technology expertise.  The position may manage projects of high-complexity with oversight from a manager or senior staff member.  As a representative on project teams, the position is expected to advocate the best interests of packaging via sharing of technical knowledge, gathering fact-based data, providing analytics, and implementing solutions which deliver against project scope and expectations.

Role Responsibilities:

Product & Packaging Development/Commercialization

• Collaborate with project initiator to define, understand, and align to project objectives and expectations. 
• Design, review, recommend, and test various packaging design proposals.
• Consider various packaging material substrates and structures in the design of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging to minimize material usage and optimize manufacturing and labor efficiencies, while maintaining product integrity and enhancing retail performance and aesthetics.
• Determine impact of new packaging design on existing and new automation systems at manufacturing locations. 
• Develop design-of-experiments/test methodologies on packaging materials and structures to determine performance attributes best suited to maintain product quality, integrity, and maximize shelf-life while minimizing costs.
• Conduct analytical testing on materials and structures; evaluate and interpret technical data findings and clearly communicate results to stakeholders.
• Coordinate and support equipment trials, line trials, distribution tests, etc. to validate new packaging materials and structural designs
• Implement effective structural and process design solutions which foster and align to business strategy and strategic initiatives.
• Recommend best design, align with stakeholders, and execute optimized packaging design solution.
• Contribute to project success through clear written and verbal correspondence and presentations understandable by stakeholders of varying technical & business understanding
• Ensure projects remain on schedule by setting achievable expectations, proactively driving tasks for on-time completion, proactively highlighting potential risks to task completion, timely responses to communications, and actively participating in project team meetings.
• Simultaneously manage multiple projects and prioritize work accordingly to meet established and aligned to timelines and deliverables for each.
• Assess and resolve identified packaging design problems and opportunities (ie. consumer, retail, distribution, manufacturing performance) on existing items.  Work with cross-functional stakeholders to implement design, quality, process, and system improvements as a result of findings to ensure long-term corrective action.

 

Documentation

• Create and publish robust and accurate specifications which detail critical attributes to ensure consistent material quality and packaging assembly to meet aligned performance requirements.  This includes mechanical drawings, written specifications, and process instructions.
• Provide necessary packaging component mechanical drawings for artwork development and layout.  Approve graphical artwork for correct application to mechanical drawing and critical-to-function attributes (ie. UPC, date code, eyetrack)
• Create, enter and publish accurate packaging bill of materials into the Material Data Management System to enable planning and sourcing of materials, and correct build of the Finished Good Item.
• Publish specifications and bill of materials to meet established timelines and priorities to enable production planning and material order requirements.
• Support creation and review of packaging quality standards and tolerances, and regulator documents.
• Work with Procurement to obtain cost estimates for new packaging materials by providing necessary specifications and information.  Assist in presenting cost estimates for input into business case impact analytics.