Process & Product Implementation Engineer – Packaging

Mars•Fremont, NE

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Process & Product Implementation (PPI) Engineer – Packaging serves as the factory-level R&D representative at our Royal Canin manufacturing facility in Fremont, Nebraska. This role leads the industrial implementation and qualification of new packaging materials, packaging technologies, equipment modifications, and sustainability initiatives. Serving as the crucial technical link and "Voice of the Factory" to the broader R&D community, the Packaging PPI Engineer ensures innovative packaging designs are scaled seamlessly into plant operations without adverse impacts on safety, product quality, line efficiency (OEE), or factory waste. This position is central to executing Mars sustainability commitments (e.g., Mono-PE transitions, plastic reduction, paper conversions, SB54 roadmap) through rigorous trial management, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Standard Running Condition (SRC) definitions, and smooth technical handovers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Supply Chain, or related technical discipline with 1–3 years of manufacturing/engineering experience; OR High School Diploma/GED with 5+ years of relevant technical/hands-on manufacturing experience.
Familiarity with high-speed packaging machinery (form-fill-seal, bagging, robotic palletizing, cartoners, heat sealers, conveyors).
Proficiency in data analysis, root cause troubleshooting, and statistical methods (SPC).
Demonstrated ability to write technical trial reports, standard operating procedures, and deliver technical training.
Strong interpersonal and influencing skills across cross-functional operations and R&D teams.
Ability to work in a plant environment, navigate stairs, stand for extended periods during trials, and lift up to 35 lbs.
Ability to use basic mechanical hand tools for trial setups and equipment adjustments.

Nice To Haves

Experience in food/beverage manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or high-speed packaging operations.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or related continuous improvement certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead site-level packaging trials from protocol preparation, raw material staging, line trial execution, quality sampling, to comprehensive technical reporting.
Act as the on-site technical authority during line validations, evaluating film machinability, sealing performance, line throughput, and package integrity.
Identify, assess, and mitigate industrial and technical risks prior to full commercial rollout; support Industrial GO / GO-NO GO decision gates.
Partner closely with Fremont Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality & Food Safety (Q&FS), CVS, and Regional R&D Deploy teams.
Drive factory execution of sustainable packaging initiatives including Mono-PE structures, plastic reduction, paper transition, and SB54 compliance.
Support TRL5/6 development trials, TRL7 saleable soft launches, and TRL8/9 full-scale industrial deployments.
Validate alternative sustainable substrates and new vendor packaging materials to ensure strict barrier, hermetic seal, and shelf-life requirements.
Ensure full site compliance with R&D material, equipment, and finished pack technical standards.
Define, validate, and document optimal process parameter envelopes and standard machine settings.
Apply SPC tools to monitor process capability (Cp/Cpk), eliminate line variation, and drive scrap/waste reductions.
Manage Hand Over 1 (HO1) and Hand Over 2 (HO2) operational transfer documentation to ensure production readiness.
Facilitate Root Cause Analysis (RCA), 5-Why, and DMAIC problem-solving for chronic packaging equipment faults and packaging quality defects.
Author standard operating procedures, trial playbooks, and training materials; coach operators and maintenance technicians.
Strictly adhere to Mars Quality & Food Safety (Q&FS), Occupational Safety (HSE), and environmental standards during all trial activities.