Product Innovation 3-D Adobe, industrial design, project mgmt with customers, travel 20&, rapid prototypes, a couple ME's and food scientist. This position will provide technical leadership for projects as required to develop new package designs and systems starting with concept stage and ending with transition to early commercialization. Major responsibilities include the following:
Work closely with customers to establish package needs and opportunities to develop new package systems that add value for both the customers and allow top line, profitable growth for the company.
Work with in-house process engineers or outside suppliers to define and prove feasibility of any new package components needed.
Perform preliminary IP search for establishing viability of new package system components. Work with legal department to complete any outside IP searches. Maintain appropriate work logs, and submit patent disclosures on any IP deemed appropriate for profitable protection of products or processes.
Oversee the startup and transitioning of newly invented products and processes to manufacturing facilities (internal or external) and/or new packaging systems in our customers’ plants.
Conduct hands-on experiments in the lab, pilot plant, customers’ plants, and vendors’ facilities.
Use stage gate process for product development and commercialization
Collaborate with other scientists and engineers in manufacturing, marketing, and customers for new product development. Lead projects and supervise one or more technicians
Provide support to the New Business Development department for developing new package concepts, as well as to the Create team.
QUALIFICATIONS:
BS, MS, or PhD in mechanical, chemical engineering, or package design
5 or more years experience in a packaging environment preferred
Hands-on experience with packaging equipment, food science, or graphic design preferred.
Record of technical achievements and innovation (commercial products, patents, publications, etc.) is a plus
Ability to interface effectively with employees of all levels
Creative thinker and personally motivated to succeed
Excellent communication skills
RD42204 Sr. Product Development Engineer, RI $80-90K
Summary of Duties:
Primary responsibilities include supporting the development of new products relating to the increase of sales and manufacturing efficiency. This will be accomplished by assisting the development group in understanding and resolving the technical, manufacturing, and customer problems inherent in new product development. Particular areas of focus will be in polymer and additive combinations that will yield novel new film products and in supporting supporting development trials in the plant and at off-site facilities for pilot work. The engineer will progress the development projects by interfacing with manufacturing engineers, QC, Sales, Marketing, customers, and suppliers.
Requirements:
B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry or Polymer Science/Engineering required
5-10 years experience in film substrate product development in a manufacturing setting required
Knowledge of polymer materials, polymer processing, and structure property relationships in products such as PET, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, or other traditional thermoplastic materials required
Must have excellent English communication skills
Demonstrated successful product development scale-up of multimillion dollar projects required
Knowledge of the US patent system strongly preferred
RD42203 Product Development Engineer, WI or GA $70-80K
Job Summary:
This position will be responsible for developing, qualifying, commercializing, and optimizing structures for new or current customer applications or new markets with the purpose of generating new sales and optimizing company profitability
Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities:
Manage technical projects with little supervision from inception to completion
Assist sales with customer projects & issues
Develop and recommend structures for specific customer applications or markets
Work with raw material suppliers on developing new technologies/films
Evaluate and qualify new raw materials
Recommend new equipment
Assist with the purchase, installation, & start-up of new equipment
Establish & document process conditions for specific equipment or structures (as directed)
Recommend process adjustments
Perform product development/sample order testing
Coordinate projects with Department Supervisors, Quality Control & Machine Operators
Travel will be required to suppliers and customers (25-30%)
Qualifications:
Self starter with initiative to anticipate what needs to be done
Good communication skills, both verbal and written for dealing with all levels of employees
Experience working with or leading manufacturing teams
Manage projects and programs and be able to obtain buy in from all levels of the organization to implement programs
SPC and six-sigma experience is preferred
Good computer skills…Word, Excel, & Access
Minimum of four year college degree, and 5 years related experience
Experience dealing with customers, suppliers, and equipment manufacturers
Significant experience with a variety of fill line or application equipment
RD42202 Process Development Engineer, CT $90-100K
This position will incorporate the development and implementation of new equipment and processes. Candidate must have experience in the food industry and the knowledge to increase efficiencies and work with continuous process improvements.
Qualifications:
BS in Engineering with 4+ years of applicable experience.
Solid communications skills, both written and verbal, required.
Demonstrated application of complex concepts, practices and procedures within particular engineering field.
Prior supervisory experience preferred
Description:
Develops, writes, implements and/or submits various technical reports or Capital Appropriation Requests in support of cost reduction, new product, reliability and safety initiatives.
Typically supervises 2-5 technicians and mentors more junior engineers.
Typically has technical responsibility for a large and/or complex department.
Manage small to medium capital projects and assist with development of AOP.
RD42201 Delopment Engineer - Elastics, VA $70-80K
Education:
B. S. degree in Chemical or Polymer Engineering, Polymer or Material Science, or other engineering or science field
M.S. or Ph. D. in Chemical or Polymer Engineering, Polymer or Material Science, or Chemistry
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
The elastic laminate development engineer applies a broad knowledge of principles and specialization practices to complete difficult to complex polymer film product research and/or development assignments. May work under supervision or with minimum supervision depending on experience and skills. Typically works as a team member or team leader on assigned projects for creation, development, and optimization of products. Transitions laboratory or bench scale products through pilot operations into global manufacturing. Uses statistical and advanced quality methods and fundamental principle modeling techniques to predict product and manufacturing performance while in development phase. Assignments require creativity and ingenuity. May be assigned technician supervision or professional entry level mentoring. (Technical ladder placement depends on experience, accomplishments, technical skills, and job skills.). Preference would be for candidate with management experience that can be groomed for a Product Development Manager role in the next 2-3 years.
Experience:
Experience in polymer product or process R&D or in process engineering: 4 yrs. experience for B.S. degree, 2 yrs. for M.S. degree, and 0 yrs. for Ph.D.
Experience in working in manufacturing environment to support commercialization of new or improved products
Knowledge of statistical tools applied to research and development
Experience with web handling and glue application equipment and processes. Should have experience putting structures together - films/adhesives/nonwovens. Adhesive Lamination experience ideal.
4 - 8 yrs. in polymer film product R&D
Substantial accomplishment history
Substantial innovation history as demonstrated by patent record
Demonstrated experience in formulation, compounding, processing, or testing of elastic films, strands, or laminates
Familiarity with nonwoven materials
Familiarity with disposable absorbent products or converting process
DUTIES:
Using New Product Realization process, plan and implement work activities for product research and/or development projects, which result in successful product commercialization including freedom to practice. Apply predictive tools and methods to estimate product and manufacturing process performance. Prepare business presentations, written reports, patent applications, etc. Utilize and/or oversee analytical and physical property characterization in support of project tasks. Plan and oversee lab, pilot, and plant trials and new product startups in support of new product development.
Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills to communicate, influence, and tactful negotiate with customers (both internal and external), suppliers, and functions.
