R & D PACKAGING ENGINEER

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Developing, implementing, and improving procedures for managing and coordinating packaging engineering activities Perform all packaging engineering activities associated with package design, testing, process development, specifications, and ensure proper configuration and packaging attainment goals are met or exceeded Manage the design and selection of primary, secondary, and tertiary components, label substrates/adhesives & suppliers Builds relationships with suppliers from around the world to solve problems relating to microbiological, chemical, physical, and/or other forms of contamination found in food ingredients and dietary supplements. Leads cross functional teams, provide technical support, develop new packaging, and optimize existing packaging systems Drive continuous improvement efforts focused on quality and operational efficiency; identify and implement cost savings initiatives related to packaging materials, efficiency, transportation, and storage. Develops test methods based on accepted industry standards to verify packaging material integrity, product compatibility, stability, sustainability, and meets regulatory requirements. Creates and/or maintains technical packaging specifications; creates and/or maintains master batch records to include materials and packaging process requirements to ensure consistency from batch to batch. Leads sustainability efforts associated with packaging to include improving existing and seeking new technology for new packaging components. Establish strong working relationships with key suppliers; understands the upstream and downstream implications of his/her work. Organizes resources in completing projects based on the priorities of meeting profitability objectives, company deadlines, operating budget responsibilities. Completes URS documentation, attends FAT, and works closely with QA/QC to complete DQ/IQ/OQ/PQ protocols for new and existing packaging materials and equipment. Actively participates in root-cause analysis as packaging related issues arise. Recommends and implements corrective actions; complies with safety and GMP requirements. Complies with safety and GMP requirements. SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT Supports a culture of safe production and operations; follows all safety rules and procedures. Actively participates in the safety program by: engaging in training activities to learn what constitutes a safety hazard; reporting safety concerns to the supervisor, submitting safety suggestions; and correcting or reporting to the appropriate people when an employee sees a workplace health or safety hazard, until it is resolved. Assists with communicating safety information to new employees. Fulfills responsibilities as outlined in the company safety management plan. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE B.S. in Packaging Engineering or other related degree, experience in package engineering in a food manufacturing environment or related training preferred. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. REASONING ABILITY Excellent problem solving skills required. OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Excellent time management, attention to detail, verbal and written communication skills, listening, decision-making, and organization skills required. Excellent computer skills required, including Microsoft Word and Excel skills. Displays thorough knowledge of the interrelationship of product, process, and packaging. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to handle testing equipment, raw materials and finished product, tools, or controls and communicate in person and on the telephone. The employee frequently is required to taste or smell and ascend and/or descend stairs. The employee is occasionally required to move from place to place within the facility, to reach, ascend and/or descend, balance, or stoop. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus and color vision. The employee must regularly lift, move (in some cases drag items), slide, raise and/or place: - Lift 25 lbs. at 33 inches, place 10 inches away and then return to original position. Example of this would be changing the tamping block. - Lift 35 lbs. at 70 inches, place at 33 inches and return to 70 inches. Example of this would be lifting changeover tooling boxes. - Lift 40 lbs. at 33 inches, turn 90 degrees and place at 33 inches. Example of this would be changing machine parts. - Lift 50 lb. boxes from 5 inches to 33 inches and return to 5 inches. Example of this would be moving product from pallet to cart. - Lift 60 lbs. at 17 inches and place at 40 inches. Example of this would be lifting tablet tooling changeover box. - Lift 12 lbs. at 22 inches, turn 90 degrees and place at 33 inches. Example of this would be cleaning parts at the sink. - Push and pull with force of up to 65 lbs. at 36 inch height. Example of this would be moving pallet jacks/carts. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently exposed to vapors and/or herbal aromas. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee may be exposed to vapors, powders and/or herbal aromas. This position works in all areas of NOW’s manufacturing facilities with direct exposure to ingredients (powders and liquids), mixes (powders and liquids), equipment, and packaging.