Associate Packaging Engineer

Summary

We are recruiting for an Associate Packaging Engineer.  This role is responsible for supporting the development of food products in support of the Company business needs.  With support, plans and conducts project assignments.  Project scope to include supporting new products, quality improvements of existing products, cost optimization of existing products and technical brand maintenance.

The salary range for this position is $56,000 - $83,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications with annual bonus available (variable depending on performance).  

In addition to the base salary, Perdue offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/Rx, 401(k) with employer match after 1 year, critical illness, accident insurance, dental, vison, life insurance, optional group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.  

This is an onsite role with 50% Travel.

Principal and Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Adheres to applicable safety, regulatory, GMP requirements in lab, pilot plant, and manufacturing facilities.  Assists in writing of new policy and procedures as needed.

2. Development projects to grow top line volume in support of New Product Development as a % of Revenue goals.  Conducts required lab, pilot plant, and plant experimentation with direction and support.

3. Foundational knowledge in Product Development process including: Materials, food processes, sensory testing, consumer testing, NPD stage gate process, costing, plant trials commercialization, and related processes.

4. Documents all development work accurately.  This includes written documentation of lab work, product showing, and plant trials with guidance.

5. Prepares accurate and timely specifications for all products developed.  This includes: materials, formula, process and finished product with guidance.

6. Foundational knowledge of customer/consumer needs for assigned products and channels.  Has the ability to gain basic understanding of who the consumer is, why and how they use our products.

7. Interacts cross-functionally with Marketing, Purchasing, QA and Operations to successfully implement new product developments.

8. Assists and leads Product Showings to evaluate products developed and competition.

Minimum Education and Experience Required

REQUIRED: Bachelors degree in Food/Meat Science, Packaging or related  discipline Engineering plus 0 -3 years related work experience: or 3-plus years of equivalent work experience in lieu of a degree.

• Requires knowledge of the product development process from idea generation, bench top, scale up and commercialization. 
• Ability to influence necessary cross functional partners for successful implementation of projects. 
• Requires clear written and verbal communication skills.  Excellent analytical knowledge and problem solving skills. 
• Should have an understanding of manufacturing processes and the sequence of events necessary to convert raw materials to finished products.      

Environmental Factors and Physical Requirements

1.    Position is mostly sedentary but may require occasional moving to other offices or buildings.
2.    May need to move light equipment or supplies from one place to another.
3.    May need to access files, supplies and equipment.
4.    Work activity is in an office, open-partitioned, cubicle environment.
5.    When in a plant Environment:

•  Exposure primarily consists of wet and moist floors which include metal and plastic grating surfaces. 
•  May be exposed to temperatures of 28 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with both ambient and 100%  humidity. 
•  May handle product 25 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• May be exposed to noise ranges of 50 db to 110 db. 
• May be exposed to all chemicals used in poultry, food, processing facility. 
• Will need to work with the plant to understand the plant personnel’s job activities. 

6.    Must wear and use protective and safety equipment required for the job as directed by the Company.