Senior Packaging Specialist

Nestle Operational Services Worldwide SA•Solon, OH

7d•$97,801 - $132,485

About The Position

The Senior Packaging Specialist is a packaging equipment subject matter expert who applies technical expertise and structured problem-solving to improve packaging operations across the manufacturing network. The role diagnoses complex equipment and process challenges, identifies and implements sustainable solutions, and supports safety, quality, performance, innovation, cost, and sustainability objectives. The specialist works with factories, Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, R&D, Packaging, and external suppliers on equipment performance improvement, equipment selection and specification, industrialization, and capital projects. The role contributes to technical decisions and standards, and translates successful solutions into lasting factory capability and scalable network learning. As a technical resource in one or more packaging equipment technologies, the specialist provides hands-on support, coaches others, builds supplier and industry relationships, and develops technical expertise toward Expert-level leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, packaging science, manufacturing technology, or a related technical field; alternatively, a high school diploma/GED and relevant technical experience with packaging equipment in a manufacturing environment.
Relevant packaging-equipment experience in engineering, maintenance, operations, OEM field service, or technical support.
Working knowledge of packaging-equipment safety, machine operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, controls interfaces, and manufacturing performance measures.
Experience supporting equipment improvement, installation, commissioning, startup, or reliability activities.
Ability to analyze equipment or manufacturing data, document technical work, communicate technical information clearly, and collaborate across functions.
Focus on safety, food safety, and quality.
Packaging-equipment technical knowledge.
Data-based loss analysis and root-cause problem-solving skills.
Technical documentation and knowledge-capture skills.
Factory coaching and technical capability-building skills.
Cross-functional communication and collaboration skills.
Knowledge of continuous-improvement methods.

Nice To Haves

5+ years of relevant packaging-equipment experience in engineering, maintenance, operations, OEM field service, or technical support.
Experience in food, beverage, or other high-speed consumer packaged goods manufacturing.
Apprenticeship, technical training, journeyperson credentials, or OEM training related to packaging equipment.
Experience with flow wrapping, cartoning, case packing, conveying, palletizing, labeling/coding, inspection, or related packaging platforms.
Lean Six Sigma, TPM, NCE, reliability, maintenance, automation/controls, project-management, or OEM technical certification.
Experience with centerlining, loss analysis, OEE/eUPS improvement, PM optimization, structured trials, or technical training.

Responsibilities

Lead defined packaging performance-improvement workstreams using the Identify-Fix-Sustain-Replicate method.
Collect and validate performance data, develop Pareto and loss analyses, support gemba observations, document current conditions, and apply structured root-cause tools.
Develop and execute factory action plans involving machine restoration, centerlining, changeover optimization, operating standards, maintenance improvements, and training.
Track results against baselines and success criteria for measures such as OEE, eUPS/unplanned stops, technical downtime, waste/MUV, throughput, M&I, and labor efficiency.
Support sustainment checks and ensure local ownership, standards, training, and daily controls are in place before closing improvement work.
Act as a subject matter expert in one or more packaging equipment areas and provide hands-on support for chronic or complex losses.
Coach factory personnel and build factory-level expertise for ongoing packaging operations support and improvement.
Develop equipment capability matrices, theory-of-operation documents, centerlines, troubleshooting guides, PM/CIL standards, and technical training content.
Coordinate with operations, maintenance, E&A, quality, packaging, R&D, engineering, and suppliers to resolve technical issues and remove barriers.
Escalate risks and decisions early and document assumptions, tests, changes, and learning.
Contribute to URS, specifications, design reviews, vendor evaluations, FAT/SAT, commissioning, startup, and acceptance testing.
Assess equipment solutions for safety, hygienic design, operability, maintainability, controls, reliability, and performance.
Support new products, materials, formats, and equipment changes through structured trials and documented technical recommendations.
Package successful solutions for reapplication, identify similar assets, and support deployment across assigned factories.
Develop and deliver practical training and coach factory personnel and Equipment Owners.
Build expertise toward Expert-level capability through development plans, mentoring, cross-factory exposure, training, and increasingly complex technical leadership.
Maintain accurate action, risk, decision, benefit, and project records in team systems.
Communicate status, findings, barriers, and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
Work safely and independently within defined scope, seeking Expert guidance when risk or complexity exceeds current capability.