Packaging Engineer

  • Full-time
  • Department: R&D
  • Site Location: Minneapolis

Company Description

Running with Sasquatch is more than just a clever marketing campaign. As a Jack Link’s team member, Running with Sasquatch means we roll up our buffalo plaid sleeves and do the hard work first. We don’t shy away from challenges. In fact, we push hard and take risks. True to our North Woods roots, we're a bunch of ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things by driving results with innovation, creativity and a clear sense of urgency. Like our awesome protein products, we have an unwavering passion for quality, and you won’t find anything artificial here. What you see is what you get… authentic, humble and fun people who Run with Sasquatch!

Running with Sasquatch takes a team. We invite you to run with us, succeed with us, and celebrate with us. Most importantly, Feed Your Wild Side with us on our journey to be the dominant global leader of branded protein snacks!

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Still family-owned and operated with headquarters in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link’s also has a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, and operates a total of 11 manufacturing and distribution facilities in four countries. Jack Link’s produces high-quality, great-tasting protein snacks that feed the wild sides of consumers around the world. Jack Link's Protein Snacks family of brands includes Jack Link's, Lorissa's Kitchen, World Kitchens Jerky, Bifi and Peperami.

Job Description

Come Run with Sasquatch as a Packaging Engineer to develop packaging for retail, club-store, grocery and C-store and POS/POP (point of sale/point of purchase) applications. This includes protective packaging, performance packaging, transportation packaging, and other packaging related venues. They will lead and manage packaging projects from start to completion, across all packaging structures (i.e. film, paperboard, corrugated).  To participate in and lead initiatives to reduce costs, reduce complexity, or increase compatibility with manufacturing/automation or use regarding packaging. You will design, develop, engineer, and trouble-shoot film, folding cartons and corrugated with supplier and work closely with clients (internal and external) cross functionally, on a team or individually. 

Principal Scope of Position:

  • Develop packaging solutions for new and existing products, including all packaging structures related to the project.
  • Develop merchandising displays for new and existing products to support marketing and trade-marketing requests and to help drive additional placement and sales.
  • Research innovative packaging concepts in the marketplace.
  • Work on development of new packaging for promotional ideas.
  • Manage packaging specifications, including die-lines (i.e. CAD drawings), Pallet Patterns, and Retail Assembly and Packing Instructions (etc.) using PLM system.
  • Perform and conduct package evaluation testing to ISTA and ASTM standards and develop reports showing results.
  • Lead and support product start-ups and plant trials. 

Essential Responsibilities and Job Functions:

  • Design new retail, club-store, POS/POP displays and transportation packaging in the areas of corrugated, folding cartons and film materials.
  • Design, develop, engineer and trouble-shoot methods, materials and systems in the area of above packaging categories and materials.
  • Evaluate packaging materials, designs, processes, and equipment.
  • Understand and apply C&F (cost & feasibility) processes to ensure optimal design for packaging; i.e. cost effective, structurally sound primary packaging as well as secondary packaging, club-store, distribution packaging and POS/POP display packaging
  • Able to select materials to meet optimal performance and cost.
  • Work with packaging suppliers, raw material suppliers, and production line/automation engineers to evaluate status quo and explore areas for improvement.
  • Work closely with a cross-functional team, including Product R&D, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Procurement and Finance. 
  • Manage entire projects from a packaging lead, including all packaging structures required for that project (i.e. flexible film, paperboard and corrugated).
  • Organize and lead real or simulated testing to qualify robustness of package design, material specification, or “fit for use” application of packages.
  • Lead and manage production trial runs to collaborate with the plants to qualify packaging within the manufacturing facilities for new product launches, startups as well as to develop best performance line setups and practices.
  • Provide informational reports and proposals for production optimization, standardized specifications and best practice guidelines to management for decision making.
  • Manage Packaging Engineering process for entire packaging set up of new projects: from sample requests and packaging specs through finish good item set up.
  • Present new merchandiser concepts, consumer packaging ideas, and material and design solutions for new product development, as well as other packaging industry insights to Jack Link’s team members.
  • Will be assigned to other duties and projects as required.
  • Travel (domestic and international) required as necessary.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

  • B.S. degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Related Science or work experience equivalent (i.e. structural design of packaging and POP display design).
  • Film/bag design (flow-wrap and form-fill-seal) experience with packaging manufacturing companies.
  • Folding Carton design experience with packaging manufacturing companies.
  • Corrugated design experience with packaging manufacturing companies.
  • Special feature design (closure, re-closure, display etc..) experience with packaging manufacturing companies.
  • Work experience with end-user companies.
  • Work experience with food packaging design, manufacturing and/or use.
  • Experience monitoring, evaluating, and reporting observations and recommendations for packaging materials and production lines.

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

  • Ability to understand CAD drawings of packaging materials and machine tooling
  • Proficient on Microsoft Office suite.
  • SolidWorks, Inventor, Pro-E or other 3D software (experience is a benefit).
  • In depth knowledge of resin and fiber-based materials and packages
  • Ability to work with cross-functional team for package development and implementation.
  • Ability to communicate ideas and concepts to suppliers and internal team members.
  • Knowledge of packaging quality key variables and packaging specific quality assurance programs.
  • Understanding of the function of packaging as part of a larger supply chain and environmental optimization initiatives.
  • Basic knowledge of display designs, supplier manufacturing capabilities, assembly/fulfillment process, and styles and types of graphics.
  • Ability to lift 40 pounds and have the ability to work in various environments.
  • Demonstrate leadership and initiative characteristics through packaging development projects and also through previous work experience.
  • General knowledge and understanding of various packaging tests, packaging manufacturing, and packaging distribution systems.

Additional Information

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Jack Link’s provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

E-VERIFY:
Jack Link’s is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.  For information about the E-Verify program, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.