Packaging Engineer, Heil Environmental

Job Description:

Job Title: Packaging Engineer

Operating Company: Environmental Solutions Group – Heil Environmental

Location: Fort Payne, AL

Reports to: Director of Continuous Improvement 

Department:  Continuous Improvement

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for selecting appropriate packaging materials and developing packaging designs to ensure product integrity during transportation and storage. Develop packaging prototypes and conduct testing to meet the required specifications.  Must be able to work closely with cross functional teams across the company to make packaging solutions efficient, sustainable and cost-effective.  Willing to work in a hands-on environment supporting the shop floor and operations management.  Must be a self-starter and have a desire to promote an environment of continuous improvement throughout the organization.  May mentor others for the purpose of attaining goals for safety, quality, productivity, and cost. Experience with material presentation desired in:  metal fabrication processes, welding, assembly methodologies and paint processes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS INCLUDE:

• Ideate, develop and implement packaging solutions that meet the needs of company, regulatory bodies and customers.
• Design packaging solutions for material transfer, storage and handling.
• Identify, evaluate and select ideal packaging materials and design.
• Develop strategies to reduce packaging-related costs while improving material flow, eliminating waste, improving operator ergonomics, process efficiency, and quality.
• Lead in developing the annual capital budget for packaging solutions.
• Prepare and recommend specifications, evaluate bids for contractor activities and equipment purchases for implementing packaging solutions.
• Monitor industry trends and innovations to stay updated with best practices and technologies for packaging and material handling.
• Conduct feasibility studies to determine the suitability of packaging solutions for specific products, support Safety Risk RPN reduction, PFEMA, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Actively participates in material presentation at start up, process changes, equipment relocation etc. 
• Able to work on weekends and support if any special projects scheduled on weekends
• Develop and execute standard operating procedures, work instructions and guidelines for product packaging and presentation.
• Ensure consistency and quality of packaging across the organization.
• Oversee the justification, planning, and execution of individual capital projects to scheduled timelines and within approved budget.
• Seek out, research, perform cost analysis, justification to improve material presentation, optimal solution for carts and flow racks at workstations and implement relevant solutions.
• Evaluate capacity and capabilities of existing packaging design and recommend and implement enhancements to improve material flow as needed.
• Implement lean manufacturing and Kaizen principles on packaging and material presentation.
• Minimal travel up to 20% is required for this role.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in product designing, packaging or related engineering fields or equivalent experience is required.  
• 3+ years of experience in packaging design and development.
• Strong knowledge of packaging technology, materials and design principles with knowledge of testing methods, regulations and standards for packaging.
• Understanding of sustainability and environmental issues related to packaging.
• Strong creative skills for developing unique packaging solutions using current trends.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements related to packaging materials and design.
• Knowledge of additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies.
• Familiarity with packaging robotics and automation.
• Experience with packaging-related software.
• At least 3 years of experience with MS-Office JDE, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Catia.
• Ability to interface with vendors and contractors.
• Ability to interface with employees at all levels in the organization.

• 5 years’ experience in a medium to heavy industrial manufacturing environment. 
• Experience with metal fabrication, welding, assembly and paint processes. 
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles and six sigma tools.
• Must be a self-starter and work under limited supervision.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Ethics and Work Standards: Maintain the highest ethical and work standards, while promoting the same attribu