Senior Packaging Engineer II–R&D Flexible Film

Mondelēz International•East Hanover, NJ

12d•$97,300 - $133,815•Onsite

About The Position

This is a Packaging Development R&D position in the NA Business Unit responsible for delivering against the Productivity, Sustainability, Waste and Quality agendas, physically located in East Hanover, NJ. The individual must possess experience in package development, technical expertise in flexible films and plant trial execution in the commercialization process in a fast-paced environment. The individual must possess technical skills, the ability to learn on the fly and execute independently by leveraging their expertise and experience. This candidate must demonstrate the ability to be a strong team leader representing our technical organization. Must be able to find technical solutions when problems are identified during the qualification of packaging on our production lines, with timely and effective communication to key stakeholders like local BD, Engineering, Manufacturing and Quality, as well as the cross functional team including Procurement, Marketing, PCDM, CS&L, Product and Process Development.

Requirements

Minimum of 8 years in a packaging development R&D role.
Experience working in a Research & Development function.
Experience managing and conducting Packaging material plant trials.
Planning and project management abilities.
Experience in package development processes.
Analytical and troubleshooting skills.
Experience in development, trials and commercialization of packaging initiatives.
Technical material skill set, ability to develop productivity ideas and commercialize.
Bachelor of Science degree in Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
Strong technical understanding of flexible films.
Experience developing and implementing film structures.
Knowledge of paperboard cartons, corrugate cases and rigid plastic trays.
Knowledge of equipment, operation, capacities, limitations, and potential mechanical shortfalls.
Knowledge of test methodologies for packaging materials specification development.
Knowledge of product, process, and package interactions along with modes of failure to make material recommendations and narrow down variables during development process.
Demonstrated ability to work with all levels of the organization.
Written and oral communication skills; able to effectively communicate to all levels within the organization.
Ability to get results through working with a diverse team.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage complexity.
Executional excellence, time management and problem-solving competencies.

Nice To Haves

Preferred food experience.
Experience with thermoforming rigid plastic trays, paperboard and corrugate.
Identify gaps within internal testing capabilities.
Be able to recommend additional critical parameters as well as be able to outline procedures and work with quality teams.

Responsibilities

Serve as a flexible film Subject Matter Expert, contributing to the Sustainability and Productivity agenda.
Develop and implement film structures.
Lead the development and execution of large flexible reform productivity and VPR (virgin plastic reduction) projects.
Navigate through the I2M commercialization process, engage and influence key cross functional Team members and bakeries, conduct line trials in the bakeries, raise awareness and resolve technical and process challenges to project implementation.
Scope, build and maintain a flexible productivity pipeline/ strategy.
Identify, scope and commercialize productivity (secondarily sustainability) programs on flexible packaging components, focusing on material optimization, qualifying alternate flex converters, thickness reduction, right sizing, new designs or alternate materials.
Develop a strong partnership with Procurement to ensure delivery of the in-year productivity targets and align future pipeline, productivity sufficiency and strategy.
Work closely through an RFP on supplier technical capabilities, new supplier commercialization and technical understanding of our current flexible portfolio.
Apply knowledge of the flex supplier industry, their capabilities and manufacturing processes to actionable programs to benefit productivity, sustainability or quality agendas.
Develop strong understanding of technical flexible film specifications, understanding which attributes affect the performance of the film at our bakeries, as well as at the film suppliers.
Mentor other Packaging Engineers in the Group on Flexible technology, suppliers and troubleshooting.
Execute Productivity programs with high demand activities across the NA manufacturing network in Mexico, US and Canada, covering all products including Biscuits, Chocolate and Candy.
Support programs from concept initiation through commercialization.
Help develop/ lead timeline development, risk assessment and contingency plans to ensure execution on projects.
Develop a technical understanding of Packaging Specifications for commercializing robust performance-based specs and improving the quality of the spec content.
Assess the spec portfolio and find productivity through optimization or harmonization.
Follow the I2M process (commercialization) for assigned projects and keep communication with key stakeholders for implementation.
Provide accurate status updates with sufficient technical knowledge in a timely manner to avoid potential delays on project deliverables.
Lead plant trials for packaging materials, working with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Procurement, Business Development, Production, Supply Chain and Quality).
Properly plan, coordinate and report each trial, provide appropriate level of technical support and troubleshooting to execute trial objectives and ensure proper documentation of each activity.
Design, plan and conduct analytical testing, line trials and package performance testing.
Build and maintain relationships with key pack material vendors on the development of new concepts, materials, and quality improvements.
Leverage and challenge suppliers and partners to develop new technologies and cost advantage packaging formats and materials to achieve business goals.
Troubleshoot technical challenges that arise from package development, line trials and commercialization.