Packaging Engineer

Are you someone who is passionate, motivated, and driven to make a difference?  If so, MSA Safety is the perfect fit for your career. 

At MSA, SAFETY is who we are AND it is what we do.  We are a purpose-driven company committed to deploying innovation and technology to deliver on our Mission to help protect people and assets all around the world.  We continue to be relentless in our pursuit of solving our customers greatest problems so they can go home safe each and every day. 

Are you in?  Read on for more details about this particular role.

*** Preferred candidate identified ***

Design

• Develop packaging to meet consumer and business needs. Meet timing, financial and feasibility requirements while aligning with all key external and cross-functional teams.
• Manage and execute the design, evaluation, testing and qualification of new and modified package components.
• Develop packaging designs via methodical lab testing consistent with but not limited to ASTM and ISTA standards that will ensure timely implementation and success of projects.
• Identify and develop feasible packaging concepts and technical solutions based on supplier technologies and internal/external manufacturing capabilities
• Design and implement packaging solutions that will be ergonomically friendly within the manufacturing plants and minimize labor costs.
• Write, publish, and update packaging specifications within SAP.

Testing

• Coordinate packaging runs, line trials and simulated shipping studies. Provide technical support to incoming packaging material quality control.
• Write and execute packaging material qualification protocols, ensuring on-time execution and adherence to key performance indicators (KPIs). Develop and execute protocols for package material sourcing, qualification and purchasing.
• Prepare packaging validation protocols and perform validation testing to support packaging changes. Lead in-plant material qualifications for packaging changes across primary, secondary and tertiary packaging.
• Provide technical support and training to manufacturing regarding packaging systems. 

Continuous Improvement / Cost Savings

• Support global manufacturing plants with packaging best practices to ensure minimal quality issues and damage to products throughout supply chains.
• Conduct value analysis and cost reduction activities on packaging materials and labor reduction.
• Identify packaging cost-reduction opportunities and maintain a pipeline of cost reduction opportunities.
• Achieve cost savings per global and regional strategy. Specific annual targets will be agreed upon each year.
• Develop sustainability strategy and gain top-level support within the organization. Establish short-and long-term goals and set plan in place to deliver results per commitments.
• Investigate, test and validate new packaging technologies, cost reductions and design optimizations.
• Lead investigations related to nonstandard package components, and the correction of process-related problems and deviations from standards.

• Seek out and implement new packaging materials, pack fit patterns, and pallet patterns that will drive cost value creation in the supply chain.
• Build and own relationships with packaging suppliers to stay on top of trends and updates to packaging technology.
• Provide technical packaging support to 3PLs.

Project Management

• Lead packaging growth, productivity and quality projects through scoping, validation and commercialization.
• Works in multifunctional teams with Marketing, Supply Chain, R&D and suppliers to improve existing packaging systems.
• Prepares project timelines and tracks progress from concept through implementation of design changes.
• Develops budgetary quotes/cost estimates for packaging programs.
• Creates package test protocols, executes testing and interprets data to ensure package integrity throughout product lifecycle.
• Effectively manages the work of suppliers that are designing, developing, and prototyping packaging.
• Aids internal and external Quality and Operations teams during packaging changes.

Experience (required):

• 3 to 5 years of relevant packaging development and project management experience
• Knowledge in areas of corrugated, paperboard cartons, labels, and bags
• Experience with ArtiosCAD and other packaging related software
• Experience within manufacturing environment.

Experience (preferred):

• Proficient with Microsoft Office products, SAP, and using Excel as an analytical tool.
• Experience with managing cost down and sustainability projects
• Proven success in leading a cross functional team without direct authority of team members
• Experience in continuous improvement and lean principals
• Experience in writing packaging specifications
•  

Education (required):

• Bachelor’s degree in packaging engineering or related discipline
• Certified Lean Six Sigma

Education (preferred):

     •  Professional Certifications, CPP, CPS & CMPM

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