Packaging Engineer

Packaging Engineer

Location:

Kansas City, KS , US

The Packaging Engineer is responsible for initiating and implementing technical improvements in plant packaging systems, preventing and resolving packaging-related process and equipment issues, and improving packaging line capability, efficiency, and product quality. This role provides technical leadership for packaging operations within the manufacturing plant by driving process standardization, supporting equipment reliability, and building operator and maintenance knowledge through continuous improvement and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) practices.

Plant Technical Leader

No direct reports

• Live the OC Safety Stand and adhere to employee safety responsibilities in all packaging operations.
• Utilize technical knowledge to maintain safe, reliable, and compliant packaging equipment and work practices for employees, contractors, and visitors.
• Lead and support safety initiatives that reduce risk and drive toward zero recordable injuries on packaging lines.

• Conduct process audits to review critical packaging variables and finished goods requirements and implement sustainable corrective actions for process shifts or upsets.
• Assess packaging line consistency, process capability, and equipment performance to improve reliability and throughput.
• Implement monitoring and control methods for critical packaging process variables and packaging quality standards.
• Develop and implement operator control plans and standard work to ensure packaging output meets specification at the lowest practical cost.
• Identify and eliminate common causes of variation, downtime, and packaging defects.
• Analyze packaging line and product data, provide feedback, and make recommendations to improve OEE, quality, and cost performance.
• Partner with plant leadership, maintenance, and technical resources to identify and implement packaging improvements and best practices.
• Implement corrective actions for packaging issues surfaced through quality complaints, damaged product, or internal hold tags.
• Coach, counsel, and train employees on packaging process control, equipment operation, and troubleshooting.
• Establish and sustain standard processes for critical packaging tasks and audit for adherence and compliance.
• Partner with maintenance to troubleshoot and resolve packaging equipment and controls issues.
• Identify, scope, and support capital requests for packaging equipment upgrades, modifications, and reliability improvements.

• Educate plant employees on packaging systems, packaging process controls, and standard operating procedures.
• Partner with maintenance to develop and implement TPM plans for packaging equipment to improve understanding, ownership, and reliability.
• Partner with plant and product technical resources to ensure packaging standards and specifications are achievable and capable in the manufacturing environment.
• Support packaging material and equipment changes by ensuring plant documentation, settings, and operating expectations remain aligned.

• Utilize TPM and structured problem-solving methodologies to improve packaging equipment reliability, process capability, and finished goods quality.
• Identify, understand, and teach others the packaging requirements needed to deliver a quality product to the customer.
• Develop and implement procedures and systems to ensure packaging output consistently meets or exceeds internal and customer expectations.
• Lead plant packaging trials for new materials, settings, and equipment changes to validate performance and fitness for use.
• Apply sound engineering practices toward the completion of packaging improvement projects in the plant.

• Understand current packaging process capability, reduce variation, and ensure packaged product quality and consistency to improve the overall customer experience.
• Continuously improve packaging productivity through process technology, equipment performance, material utilization, labor efficiency, and operating effectiveness.
• Serve as plant lead for packaging-related trials by developing trial plans, communicating with stakeholders, and ensuring disciplined execution.
• Drive incremental packaging process development and implement improvements that support safety, quality, and throughput.
• Maintain and assist in the development of packaging process standards, settings, and documentation to meet manufacturing specifications.
• Network with plant, maintenance, and technical resources to leverage knowledge and rapidly deploy packaging best practices.
• Participate in the scope development and execution of plant packaging…