Senior Packaging Engineer

Purpose and Scope/General Summary: The R&D organization is at the heart of our business, taking fresh, further processed, and value-added poultry products from concept to reality. With such diverse roles as regulatory specialists, innovation managers, food technologists and packaging professionals, R&D is a community of technical leaders and managers actively involved in every step in the lifecycle of our products, from initial concept to raw materials to final goods. R&D is committed to leveraging the latest technology to bring consumers the high-quality, innovative products they want and need to feed their families.

In this role, you will:

As a senior packaging engineer for Pilgrim’s, you will work with the R&D team located in beautiful Northern Colorado to develop and deliver packaging solutions and processes across our North American production network. You will also own execution of the innovation pipeline for this fast paced, exciting, and growing business. You will lead development of new and existing substrates and platforms through the lenses of optimization, sustainability, and innovation across different business units while modeling solutions definition and technical leadership behaviors for the team.

Responsibilities:

• Develop packaging for consumer and commercial applications that meets technical requirements and also exceeds the expectations of our consumers and customers
• Work cross functionally within ideation and project planning meetings to provide technical insight and keep key stakeholders updated
• Troubleshoot critical to quality packaging attributes through root cause analysis of technical issues and manufacturing processes
• Validate compatibility and performance testing for primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging
• Provide onsite monitoring and technical assistance to operations during start up and launch of new packaging components and platforms
• Lead cross BU packaging initiatives in sustainability and optimization
• Plan and execute production line trials and qualification tests at plants for packaging components and platforms, making observations, documenting procedures and results, and drawing conclusions documented within Accolade
• Create and manage packaging specifications and BOM reviews
• Work in conjunction with and is an SME for Manufacturing Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, Project Management, and Marketing Graphics
• Generate, develop, and recommend new packaging solutions by leveraging both existing equipment and new equipment
• Initiate and manage supplier relationships in partnership with Procurement team
• Manage and fulfill packaging workflow requests and inquiries within SAP (IPS) and other related systems
• Coach and mentor junior packaging engineers through technical and process challenges
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in packaging engineering or related engineering fields
• 6+ years of experience in packaging design and development
• Able to analyze problems and define solutions
• Knowledge of packaging software (ArtiosCAD and CAPE or TOPS)
• Knowledge of ASTM and ISTA packaging testing methods
• Knowledge of laminations, films, corrugated, folding carton, label substrates, printing techniques and processes, pallets, and artwork/graphics development
• Familiarity or working knowledge of SAP (IPS) preferred
• Has understanding of packaging machines and is comfortable troubleshooting material/equipment issues
• Ability to work closely with many departments including Sales, Regulatory, R&D, Quality, Marketing, Purchasing, and Production
• Demonstrate leadership and influencing skills
• Excellent communication, collaboration, creative problem-solving skills, and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and effectively
• Must be able to work in a food manufacturing environment and be able to transition products and processes from R&D to operations
• Proactive self-starter, capable of working independently and cross-functionally with minimal supervision and direction in a fast-paced environment
• Able to travel up to 40%
• Can perform the functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation
• As a salaried position with the company, you may be required to travel at some point to other facilities, to attend Company events, or as a representative of the Company in other situations. Unless otherwise specified in this posting, the amount of travel may vary and the most qualified candidate must be willing and able to travel as business needs dictate.

The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following compensation and benefits:

• Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;
• Paid Time Off: sick leave, vacation, and 6 company observed holidays;
• 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;
• Base salary range of $90,000 - $110,000;
• Incentive Pay: This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s annual bonus plan, the amount of bonus varies and is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the incentive program; and
• Career Development: Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs.

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in states where it is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for any given position, compensation ranges are specific to those states and takes into account various factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to a candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiencies for the role.

This position does not have an application deadline. We will continue to recruit until the position has been filled. 

The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

About us: Pilgrim’s is the second largest chicken producer in the world, with operations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico and the U.K. Pilgrim’s processes, prepares, packages and delivers fresh, further-processed and value-added poultry products for sale to customers in more than 100 countries, employs more than 50,000 people and contracts with more than 5,200 family farmers. Pilgrim’s is headquartered in beautiful Greeley, Colorado, at the JBS USA corporate office where our 1,200 employees enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine a year.

Our mission: To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders and the opportunity of a better future for all of our team members.

Our core values are: Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity

EOE/Vets/Disability

Unsolicited Assistance: JBS and its companies do not accept unsolicited assistance from any recruitment vendors for any of our open jobs. All resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee at JBS and its companies or via the applicant tracking system, in any form without a valid written request and search agreement previously approved by HR, will be solely owned by JBS and its companies. No fees will be paid should the candidate be hired by JBS and its companies because of an unsolicited referral.