Packaging Development Engineer

Overview

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in food service, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others.

Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

We re currently looking for a Packaging Development Engineer to join our team in Buffalo, NY. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and managing package design, ergonomics, and cost, based on priorities from category business units and corporate strategic business plans. You will lead the development and commercialization of low to medium complexity projects to develop and commercialize process and package innovations for new and renovated packaging and processes, and cost savings initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity to join an innovative, forward thinking company.

The role is based in Buffalo, with expected travel of up to 30% domestically.

Location:

Buffalo, NY, US, 14213

• Execute low to medium complexity package/process/product development activities from concept to commercialization. Accurately identifies project requirements applying the right production capability, packaging materials, package performance characteristics to match customer/consumers’ needs, packaging specifications, and financial targets.
• Support the study of package process and equipment alternatives and Pilot Equipment Validation through Design of Experiments (DOE) to determine the effect of process parameters on package quality, throughput, and cost.
• Follow established guidelines and protocol, scientific approach and statistical analysis, conduct process or package development research, plant trials, plant start-ups, sensory, shelf-life stability studies, capability studies, and specifications development.
• Consult with broader team to provide technical support to resolve low complexity package production and quality issues: identifying root cause, develop technical solutions, and implement solutions including training QA/Operations personnel on findings within assigned product category.
• Support an environment that fosters innovation by continually introducing ideas and product concepts for new products, quality improvements, and productivity and facilitate calculated risk taking.
• Support Marketing/Sales on product attributes and applications, handling, and troubleshooting customers complaints
• Build and leverage knowledge of packaging materials and processes to advise teams on packaging options and processes, as required.
• Provide effective communication and documentation of work including technical plans, experimental reports, financial analysis, and management updates.
• Responsible for issuing accurate packaging specifications and the required product systems updates.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Packaging Science or related engineering field.
• Ability to apply technical standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques.
• Ability to lead multiple low complexity projects within assigned category, in a cross-functional environment while delivering significant results.
• Basic understanding of food systems, ingredients, packaging, and processing interactions, experimental design and statistical analysis
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and can comfortably manage risks, changing priorities, and uncertainty with guidance.
• Solid interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Solid PC proficiency (Excel, Word, database, statistical software) and the ability to create spreadsheets, computer analysis, and report writing. Proficient with relevant software tools (e.g. PLM, CAPE/TOPS, etc.).
• Ability to use database,…