Packaging Engineer

Packaging Engineer - Franklin, WI

The Packaging Engineer Position is responsible for the development of new primary, secondary and tertiary packaging solutions as well as the design, development, and commercialization of merchandising display concepts.  They are responsible for leading business support activities as well as the development, testing and validation of short- and long-term sustainable packaging solutions. This position will represent and interface with suppliers and play a hands-on role in the development/testing of all packaging and related materials including developing specifications. They will work closely with his/her supervisor and represent packaging by participating and providing updates in cross-functional program/project meetings.

Reports to: Packaging Project Lead

Functional Responsibilities:

• Drives collaboration with peers and cross-functional team members and is accountable for new packaging development tasks and activities.
• Works with supervisor to identify and build opportunities with packaging component suppliers, design firms and research affiliates to identify and/or develop new primary and secondary packaging options as well as new merchandizing display concepts and solutions.
• Works with supervisor and colleagues to support short and long-term sustainable packaging development strategies by identifying and delivering compliant solutions.
• Partners with Operations, QA, and Customer Service departments to resolve packaging related production issues.
• Identifies and presents new innovative packaging concepts
• Responsible for developing and maintaining packaging specifications and associated processes (SOP’s). 
• Develops CAD drawings in support of specifications as required.
• Responsible for complying with GLP’s, cGMP’s and policies/procedures.
• Works collaboratively with cross functional business partners and colleagues to develop, support, manage and execute against all packaging project/program timelines.
• Responsible for hands-on development and testing (i.e. stability, material performance) of new primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging solutions, printing (labels), shippers, and merchandizing display units.
• Works closely with cross-functional partners, external suppliers, and manufacturing in support of transferring new packaging designs, components, and materials to the production floor.
• Coordinates and manages external testing laboratories to meet timelines/reporting dates.
• Works closely with Regulatory Department to maintain global regulatory compliance polymer/resin’s, dyes/pigments, packaging materials, labels, (i.e. heavy metals, dye/pigment migration, processing aids).
• Maintains awareness of global packaging, competitive offerings, and not-in-kind packaging trends and opportunities.
• Works closely with supervisor to develop packaging based Intellectual Property as appropriate.
• Responsible for all testing associated with demonstrating and supporting packaging stability/integrity and defining shipping requirements and pallet configurations.

Required Experience, Desired Skills & Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 to 7 years’ experience working in a cosmetic/OTC/household consumer goods company; with direct hands-on packaging development and testing experience.
• Working knowledge and experience in a GLP and cGMP environment.
• Hands on experience writing SOP’s, packaging, and finished product specifications.
• Experienced in the design and development of packaging components, labels, material’s, and consumer preferred packaging solutions. (e.g. injection molded, extruded, co-molded, cardboard boxes/cards, flexible packaging, film/paper/foil lamination etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to manage and complete many program assignments and related tasks on time.
• Experience with label adhesive systems (water based, solvent based, hot melt, pressure sensitive etc.).
• Hands on working knowledge of packaging component modeling (e.g. SLA, 3-D printing, resin etc.).
• Working knowledge of unit and production tool design, development, and validation.
• Hands on experience with CAD, Pro-E, Creo.
• Preferred experience developing and commercializing merchandizing display units.
• Hand-on, working knowledge of packaging polymers/resins, corrugated-paperboard, processing aids, resin dyes/pigments, printing inks and processes, and material compatibility testing.
• Preferred experience working with FDA and global packaging regulatory requirements (i.e. heavy metals, food grade, GRAS).
• Hands on experience executing packaging studies and reporting physical/chemical performance and compatibility study results (stability testing, part functionality, part and finished product reliability-functionality testing, leak/permeation studies, shaker/drop ship testing, optical comparator, microscopic, print durability testing etc.).
• Preferred working knowledge of consumer package verification/validation (i.e. product-package-concept testing, qualitative and quantitative research).
• Experience with label design, dimensions/dye lines etc.
• Preferred working knowledge of EPR, PRO, ESG and related reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional program team environment.
• Clear and concise oral and written communication skills
• Open, honest communication style
• Computer skills (e.g. Word, Excel, Microsoft Project/Smartsheet, PowerPoint, CAD)  
• Working knowledge of statistical data treatment

Educational Qualifications:

• BS or MS Package Engineering

Physical Requirements:

• The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to bend or reach throughout the workday.
• Employee must be able to sit or stand for up to eight hours in a workday.