Lead Packaging Engineer

Kimberly-Clark • Neenah, WI

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

Lead Packaging Engineer Job Description You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU. This position provides ownership of packaging development projects from concept to launch in support of brand and category strategies to meet customer and consumer needs, as well as deliver financial results with winning value propositions and products.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or related degree and 3+ years of Packaging Engineering experience
• Demonstrated accomplishments in Packaging Engineering preferably within the Consumer Products industry
• Advanced knowledge of packaging development and operations/supply chain processes.
• In-depth knowledge and experience in LEAN practices/manufacturing
• SAP experience is required including SAP/PLM & AutoCad
• Able to travel up to 25% of the work time.

Responsibilities

• Leads, manages, presents and executes all aspects of technical packaging changes/waivers/components/projects, including new product/package introductions/launches/initial commercialization, as well as product/process changes and rollovers.
• Focuses on more complex projects with higher risks and business implications.
• Serves as an interface between strategic and tactical projects/timelines, including influencing graphic design and cross-functional project teams.
• Manages, develops, designs and specifies packaging structures and materials that assist the consumer business sectors in meeting their objectives.
• This includes the attractive merchandising and safe shipping of products under varying conditions of climate, environment and different modes of transportation.
• Determines packaging specifications according to the nature of the product, cost limitations, legal requirements, and the type of protection required.
• Designs package exteriors considering such factors as product identification, sales appeal, aesthetic quality, printing, sealing, fastening devices and production techniques.
• Develops the required type of packaging materials to maximize convenience, utility and function based on the product's physical characteristics, safety and special handling requirements.
• Evaluate and apply innovative solutions/ new technologies and materials in the design of packaging to deliver a consumer benefit, enhance profit margin, and reduce the environmental impact of our packaging.
• Adheres to packaging and transportation industry, customer/vendor and KC standards, procedures and requirements to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Understands and follows corporate policies and procedures and industry standards for packaging specifications.
• Proactively identifies, leads and executes environmental sustainability initiatives to support global and KC environmental goals and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates extensive knowledge of internal K-C & external vendor/copacking operations, technology and production capabilities, as well as supply chain processes, to integrate operations and supply chain solutions and objectives into package development – to identify and capitalize on cost reduction/transformation and production efficiency opportunities.
• Assesses and develops action plans to overcome packaging related manufacturing issues.
• Understands the consumer, customer and competitive environment to ensure consistency and alignment with brand equity to drive category growth.
• Identifies and recommends new technology and/or materials used in the packaging industry to create leading edge package designs, innovations and prototypes.
• Leads a variety of packaging, product and production audits and shares insights and recommendations with front-end Design, Innovation and Marketing teams.
• Recognized as a packaging subject matter expert on cross functional and multi-level teams for a wide range of package development projects including both large, complex projects as well as full scope ownership for smaller projects.
• Drives best-in-class packaging designs, standards and specifications.
• Developing general business manager mindset with project management and leadership, including financials.
• Designs and coordinates laboratory activities and tests using scientific systems/tools to assess technical feasibility in the qualification of materials, copackers and vendors.
• Provides technical support to ensure quality standards, package performance, and continued supply of products and packaging materials.
• Identifies and tests/qualifies alternate sources for raw materials and packaging components.
• Writes component/equipment test protocols/reports, trip/mill/vendor summaries, regulatory and technical reporting/documentation and trial plans/results.
• Initiates and performs technical feasibility studies on new packaging platforms/features delivered through ideation.
• Responsible for the development and progression of more junior Packaging Engineers through on-boarding and formal and informal training and mentoring.

Benefits

• Great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options with no waiting periods or pre-existing condition restrictions.
• Access to an on-site fitness center, occupational health nurse, and allowances for high-quality safety equipment.
• Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximize health care options and stretch dollars when caring for yourself or dependents.
• Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events.
• Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees