R&D Engineer

Description

The R&D Engineer focuses on the enhancement and development of new products within the Paragon Films, Inc. product catalog. This role will generate ideas and processes to manage and conduct product trials, coordinate and execute objectives of the R&D Department through a collaborative relationship with the Operations team, and manage the day-to-day activities of R&D lab technicians. This role involves developing test procedures to replicate customer use of stretch film, managing the Stage-Gate process for new products, product extensions, and resin qualifications, designing and executing film testing plans, analyzing test results, building presentations, and presenting findings to internal and external customers. The R&D Engineer will also assist in achieving the company’s yearly New Product Vitality goals. This is a leadership role with supervisory responsibility. 

RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Plays a vital role within the R&D Department to help facilitate and expand development ideas for new product concepts. 
• With the Director of R&D, collaborate with Sales to gain an understanding of external customer needs, working to provide sustainable and effective solutions while maintaining Paragon Films quality standards. 
• Facilitate process improvements to enhance new and existing products, working to optimize process efficiency.
• Coordinate and conduct R&D product trials, providing leadership on the production floor to lab techs and production employees assisting with projects.  
• Collaborate with Production and Quality departments to execute R&D objectives.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to R&D Lab Tech, managing day to day activities and tasks, facilitating career accountability in tasks with opportunities for growth and development. 
• Assist with training employees on new processes, procedures or equipment to ensure accuracy in procedures that meet quality standards.
• Develop and document test procedures to replicate customer use of stretch film.
• Manage Stage-Gate process for new products, product extensions, and resin qualifications.
• Develop, execute, and manage film testing plans, including cost analysis.
• Analyzing and reporting on test results, providing feedback on findings with ability to build presentations and present to all levels of Paragon Films employees and external customers.
• Play an integral part in assisting Paragon Films in attaining our yearly New Product Vitality goals. 
• Follow and promote all safety policies and procedures of Paragon Films, ensuring the safety of all employees.
• Foster an environment that creates excitement and engagement in the R&D process and engages other employees in the process.
• Run experiments to support continuous improvement by increasing production efficiency and reducing scrap and downtime. 
• Collaborating with Plant Manager to support production functions and serve as a resource during and after hours to support Team Manager and Production Manager for the NC facility.
• Ensure communications with the NC Plant Manager and Production Manager on projects, status updates, concerns, issues and resource needs such as equipment or human capital needs to ensure onsite leadership is apprised of R&D operations from a safety, staffing & OE perspective. 
• Serve as an active member of plant leadership, attending plant meetings to provide status updates and other plant events, offering mentor and leadership to production and operations employees on process changes and improvements. · 

Requirements

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE/SKILL/ABILITY

• Extensive extrusion process knowledge, preferably within the stretch film industry.
• Demonstrated project management skills within a professional environment as it relates to planning, carrying out, and completing large-scope projects. 
• Experience performing root cause analysis to solve problems, with the ability to be innovative and adept at testing new methodologies. 
• Data Analysis experience with experience in statistical analysis of large data sets, with the ability to transform data into attainable solutions. 
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage individuals, both direct reports and project leadership.
• Strong technical aptitude with an excellent understanding and strong troubleshooting skills within the manufacturing industry and extrusion equipment
• Ability & experience to successfully communicate with external contractors and equipment suppliers to build long-term, lasting relationships
• Proven ability to successfully work in a collaborative relationship with multiple departments 
• Negotiation and conflict management ski