Lead, Packaging Design Engineer

Job Description

The Packaging Design Engineer Lead is a subject matter expert that will lead their discipline as part of the Design and Technical Capabilities team to define standards, consistent processes, and formulate projects that can be used and issued to suppliers for initial budget and final pricing and order placement.  This position is responsible for completing capital engineering feasibility studies, creating initial and detailed equipment designs, and creating engineering standards that complement the equipment design and can be utilized for project feasibility and execution phases of projects to improve speed of execution.

This individual will require both the project management and technical knowledge to develop the scope for complex manufacturing and automation projects.  While this role will be focused on packaging expertise, team members are expected to have general knowledge of infrastructure, utilities, and process technologies. 

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Create standard engineering project designs and Capex estimates for major capital initiatives working together with supply development, project leads and their teams.
• Participate & lead cross functional reviews to define and agree standard process flows ensure all major Capital projects (>$1MM) within the Zone are designed to maintain business continuity, maximize operating income and factory efficiency, including the formulation of: standard designs, cost estimation and challenging timelines together with BU Engineering, ORM, R&D and FS&Q.
• Develop equipment standards and designs to enable Procurement to obtain standard pricing structures for particular/preferred suppliers. Working closely with Capex Procurement, BU Engineering, ORM, R&D and FS&Q.
• Develop & deploy standardized production flows and equipment for Capex projects across the Zone and champion the process in relation to specific projects to ensure compliance.
• Establish benchmarking of common equipment or processes and Capital projects across the Zone to understand key advantages of each the various installed lines and standardize where these bring competitive advantage.
• Identify and evaluate Best Available Technologies and engineering practices for their discipline, sharing them across the zone, and globally where appropriate. With the aim of delivering projects in a more consistent and expedient manner.
• Provide technical support to project engineers as requested during equipment build, acceptance testing and commissioning.
• Participate in Post Project Implementation Reviews to understand areas for improvement and revision versus the established standards and approach.
• Lead the creation, development, and implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Research and refine technical solutions to reduce labor reliance across multiple product categories.
• Create preliminary budgetary estimates across multiple disciplines (packaging, process, infrastructure, and utilities) to guide the business towards the best ROI capital investments.
• Work with the Supply Chain Development function to create business cases that support the proposed engineering scope.
• Develop project design, detailed scopes of work, cost estimates, timelines and bid documentation for capital projects that are identified as high potential for investment.
• Utilize and improves specifications and standards for processing and packaging equipment, taking learnings from each project, and codifying them for future use.
• Work with third party engineering firms to develop for-bid and for-construction drawings.
• Act as a resident expert within the packaging equipment field of expertise, providing guidance to the broader team on the strategic fit within the Manufacturing Network. 
• Identify and prioritize opportunities based on the business segment cost needs and the latest technical solutions. 
• Present to senior leadership about project viability during ideation, future pipeline ideas, and project updates during the scope development stage.
• Participate in Zone Technical Peer Reviews (TPR) to ensure projects are properly designed while meeting safety, quality, sanitary requirements, and following KHC standards and specifications.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Chemical or Electrical Engineering or related field/experience is required. 
• 5-8 years of manufacturing experience is required with the ability to articulate & implement new technologies and process designs.
• Experience applying standard engineering techniques, procedures, and criteria to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer skills and CAD experience preferred.
• Experience with writing scopes of work based on project requirements.
• Possess a deep understanding of Manufacturing KPIs.
• Able to lead a cross functional team.
• Able to influence senior leaders within the Manufacturing Leadership Team.
• Able to provide mentoring and coaching to seasoned technical Leaders / professionals.
• Act as the resident domain expert within their field.
• Demonstrable knowledge in their discipline in defining processes and establishing engineering standard for the use in engineering projects.
• External relationships with OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and Engineering service organizations throughout the world.
• Experienced engineer with a thorough knowledge of proven and advanced technology and with the ability to apply that knowledge practically to ensure objective decision making in a timely manner that will provide competitive and innovative advantage.
• Demonstrable skills obtained through implementation of projects that include a high level of Automation and integrated control systems and practical application of Industry 4.0 solutions.
• Experience of working with LEAN or similar structured continuous improvement methodologies.
• Able to travel as needed.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a Normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open workspaces Additionally, this role requires 30-50% domestic and international travel. The travel requirements are cyclical, and will be dependent on the development stage of the project.  Many of our factories are located several hours from the nearest airport, so a driver’s license is required.

Physical Requirements 

Physical demands include but not limited to:

• Constant keyboard or text input
• Occasional accessing high or low objects
• Occasional scaling staircases

• Frequent standing during Commissioning, FAT and Startup

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact NATAI@kraftheinz.com .