Job Title: Packaging Engineer

Location: Chicago, IL or Council Bluffs, IA

Our Company, Your Opportunity:

Nearly 150 years ago, Gustavus Swift founded Swift & Company. He was a true pioneer whose passion and innovative spirit transformed the meat industry. This commitment to transformation mirrors that of Swift Prepared Foods today. Swift Prepared Foods (formerly Plumrose USA) is the prepared foods arm of JBS USA, one of the world’s largest meat companies. This is a unique opportunity to be in a start-up environment, with the backing of a Global CPG Powerhouse. This is a role for someone who is looking for an entrepreneurial challenge in a company with aspirations to be leaders within the CPG world. The position will have both strategic and tactical elements and the person may wear different hats. This is an opportunity for people who want to think Big, dream Big and work to make Big ideas a reality.

Our Mission:

To be THE BEST in all we do. We are completely focused on our business, ensuring the BEST products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers and profitability for our shareholders. All this, we do to provide an opportunity for a better future for all of our TEAM MEMBERS.

Our Values:

Scope Of Position:

Lead packaging innovation, maintain current portfolio, troubleshoot packaging quality concerns, and optimize the cost of packaging materials. This includes new packaging development from concept to commercialization, cost reduction and optimization initiatives, improving manufacturing operations and managing packaging specifications. This position reports to Senior Packaging Engineer in Chicago, IL.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following; other duties may beassigned

• Executes small-scale and large-scale plant tests onsite at manufacturing locations
• Works with packaging and equipment vendors to create and test packaging materials for innovation and optimization opportunities
• Creates and manages product specifications and BOM reviews
• Maintains accurate and complete records, analyzes reports
• Utilizes a working knowledge of plant processes and facilities
• Provides onsite monitoring and technical assistance to operations when testing/manufacturing new products.
• Leads commercialization of product changes and implementation of new items and processes.
• Works with cross-functional team members to flawlessly implement new packaging materials, manufacturing processes and new equipment

Capabilities/Qualifications:

• Pro-active self-starter, willing to accept responsibility for completion of business tasks. Must be a driven individual that can take ownership of projects and complete all the relevant R&D tasks required for the job with minimal oversight.

• Strong knowledge of packaging materials (primary, secondary, tertiary) and basic understanding/interest in food/meat science
• Has deep understanding of root cause analysis and is comfortable using these skills to investigate and solve problems at the manufacturing level.
• Strong ability to create thorough test plans, interpret data and influence team with findings.
• Has intermediate understanding of packaging machines and is comfortable troubleshooting material/equipment issues.
• Understands critical to quality attributes and how to effectively implement manufacturing practices to achieve these attributes.
• Computer skills that include Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Ability to multitask and prioritize
• Must be able to work closely with many departments including Sales, Regulatory, R&D, Quality, Marketing, Purchasing, and Production.
• Excellent collaboration, creative problem-solving skills and organizational skills
• Must be able to work in a food manufacturing environment and be able to flawless transition products and processes from R&D to operations
• Clear, concise written and oral communication skills required with attention to detail and accuracy mandatory

Experience/Work History:

• Reliable work history, punctuality, and dependability
• Bachelor’s degree in packaging engineering, food science or related field with 2-5 years of industry experience.Any operations experience will be a plus and considered in conjunction with R&D experience.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None at this time

Travel:

40%

If interested, please apply at https://jobs.jbsfoodsgroup.com/us/en/swift

We offer a full range of benefits including health care, life insurance, and a 401 (K) plan.

Swift Prepared Foods is an equal opportunity employer.

EOE/Vet/Disabled