Senior Packaging Engineer

Job Description

 

You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU. 

The Sr. Packaging Engineer entails ownership of end-to-end packaging from strategic development to tactical execution providing technical and program leadership for structural packaging solutions for a category / platform within the Family Care Business Unit to deliver financial results with winning value propositions and products. Leads strategic cross-brand or cross business packaging projects and is viewed as the Category Packaging subject matter expert.  Provides informal team leadership, work direction and training to their packaging team consisting of packaging engineers and coordinators.

Organizational Relationships: 

This position reports to the Packaging R&D Senior Manager and receives direction in the form of general project objectives.

Key Customers:

Research & Development, Product Supply, Marketing, Customer Development, Sales Strategy, Finance, Legal, Market Research, External Consultants and Research Organizations, Vendors (directly and through Procurement).

 In this role, you will:

Lead tactical technical packaging engineers to develop new product/package introductions/launches/initial commercialization, as well as product/process changes and rollovers. Lead complex projects with higher risks and business implications. Serve as an interface between strategic and tactical projects/timelines, including influencing graphic design and cross-functional project teams. Represent Packaging in key strategy cross-brand or cross business development efforts and is primary decision maker for tactical packaging development.Evaluate packaging specifications according to the nature of the product, cost limitations, legal requirements, and the type of protection required. Evaluate, prioritize and apply innovative solutions/ new technologies and materials in the design of packaging to deliver a consumer benefit, enhance profit margin, and/or reduce the environmental impact of our packaging. Understand and is knowledgeable of laboratory activities and tests, using scientific systems/tools, to assess technical feasibility in the qualification of materials, copackers and vendors.Ensure adherence to packaging and transportation industry, customer/vendor and KC standards, procedures and requirements to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.  Understands and ensures corporate policies and procedures and industry standards for packaging specifications are followed.  Proactively identifies, leads and executes environmental sustainability initiatives to support global and KC environmental goals and responsibilities.Demonstrate extensive knowledge of internal K-C & external vendor/co-packing operations, technology and production capabilities, as well as supply chain processes, to integrate operations and supply chain solutions and objectives into package development to identify and capitalize on cost reduction/transformation and production efficiency opportunities.Assess and develop action plans to overcome packaging related manufacturing issues.Understand and supports Strategic Business Plans/Annual Operating Plans for the next 1-5 years and provides technical direction/input to business plan development, capability development, 5-year mass balances and long-term strategy development. Develop and share a 5+ year structural packaging vision supporting brand strategies, architecture and vision (including IMF process support.) Demonstrate general business manager mindset with project management and leadership, including financials. This role will be recognized as a packaging subject matter expert and consultant for the category on cross functional and multi-level teams for a wide range of package projects and packaging development/engineering. Drive best-in-class packaging designs, standards and specifications.Develop and share best practices related to packaging and system development across the packaging community and KC sectors. Maintain broad scope and depth of knowledge and is accountable for sharing/teaching their technical knowledge with others. Partner with Front End Innovation team to complete external technology scouting and benchmarking for category to recommend innovation pipeline options & solutions.  Provides advice and counsel to team members, business units, staff groups, and suppliers.Understand the consumer, customer and competitive environment to ensure consistency and alignment with brand equity to drive category growth. Partner with Design, Shopper marketing, and Category Insight teams to develop understanding of long-term strategies and key insights to align packaging development needs across materials, structure and packaging equipment.  Identifies and recommends new technology and/or materials to create leading edge package designs, innovations and prototypes. Shares audit insights and recommendations with front-end Design, Innovation and Marketing teams.Responsible for the development and progression of Packaging team members by providing training, coaching and feedback to team members to motivate and empower team members to achieve business results.  Models One KC Behaviors, safety, diversity and quality attitudes and practices.

Department Specific/Non-Essential Functions:

Works with cross functional teams and leadership to deliver business objectives.Utilizes internal Packaging/R&E resources to deliver short- and long-term business results.Ensures the appropriate and effective protection for proprietary information.Supports the execution and utilization of business practices/processes within the R&E organization including IMF, LEAN and Portfolio Management.Ensures all work complies with corporate safety, regulatory, product safety and sustainability requirements, including appropriate use of patents, invention disclosures and trade secrets.Manages self in accordance with the One K-C Behaviors.Ensures that all elements of the corporate Human Resources Development and Diversity and Code of Conduct policies are fully supported.Communicates professionally and appropriately with all customers, conducting all communications and transactions with the utmost integrity and honesty so as to build an unimpeachable business reputation.

Working Conditions:

Able to travel up to 25% of the work time if required but is typically less.  Travel may include business travels via aircraft and motor vehicles to various locations. Working conditions require ability to effectively communicate with individuals and groups, work under normal office conditions and an ability to work in manufacturing sites

About Us

Huggies®. Kleenex®. Cottonelle®. Scott®. Kotex®. Poise®. Depend®. Kimberly-Clark Professional®. You already know our legendary brands—and so does the rest of the world. In fact, millions of people use Kimberly-Clark products every day. We know these amazing Kimberly-Clark products wouldn’t exist without talented professionals, like you.

At Kimberly-Clark, you’ll be part of the best team committed to driving innovation, growth and impact. We’re founded on more than 150 years of market leadership, and we’re always looking for new and better ways to perform – so there’s your open door of opportunity. It’s all here for you at Kimberly-Clark.

Led by Purpose. Driven by You.

About You

You perform at the highest level possible, and you appreciate a performance culture fueled by authentic caring.  You want to be part of a company actively dedicated to sustainability, inclusion, wellbeing, and career development.
You love what you do, especially when the work you do makes a difference. At Kimberly-Clark, we’re constantly exploring new ideas on how, when, and where we can best achieve results. When you join our team, you’ll experience Flex That Works: flexible (hybrid) work arrangements that empower you to have purposeful time in the office and partner with your leader to make flexibility work for both you and the business.

In one of our professional roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center.

To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or related degree10+ years of Packaging Engineering experienceDemonstrated accomplishments and working knowledge in Packaging Engineering preferably within the Consumer Products industryAdvanced knowledge of packaging development/processes/systems, as well as operations/supply chain processesIn-depth knowledge and experience in LEAN practices/manufacturing

Preferred Qualifications:

Desire advanced certifications (e.g. Project Management Professional, 6 Sigma, or Certified Packaging Professional)SAP experience is preferred including SAP/PLM & AutoCADAdvanced knowledge of end-to-end packaging development process, including printing processes and packaging industry, with ability to train/coach othersStrong planning/organizing skills with an ability to simultaneously lead/manage/execute multiple, complex projectsAbility to develop a packaging strategy and vision, for a business category, and execute tactically with excellenceAbility to develop and maintain collaborative relationships and lead multi-functional, multi-level project teamsAbility to influence decisions across multiple functions/levelsAbility to conceptualize ideas and transform specific brand/customer/consumer goals into packaging structures and specifications, including knowledge & experience with testing proceduresAdvanced problem solver to develop solutions and actionable plans for multiple functions and/or vendors/agenciesAbility to communicate professionally in both oral and written form to inspire others to action; excellent presentation skillsAdvanced analytical skills to collect and interpret data and information to improve material/package/product/process performanceAbility to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in an environment with a high degree of change and uncertaintySelf-directed, change agent, energizer and mobilizer - can quickly assess a situation, needed resources and drive executionExplore and scout new, innovative and creative packaging solutions – keeping current within industry, equipment/manufacturing capability and technology, including sustainability initiatives; Prioritize and implement application to KC to build future capability and provide solutions Preferred working knowledge of KCC packaging materials, specifications, procedures and equipment

Other Skills:

Leadership skills will reflect KC Ways of Working and competencies in alignment with the roleWorking knowledge of Microsoft Office suite

US Grade 09

Total Benefits

Here are just a few of the benefits you’d enjoy working in this role for Kimberly-Clark. For a complete overview, see www.mykcbenefits.com.
 

Great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options with no waiting periods or pre-existing condition restrictions. Access to an on-site fitness center, occupational health nurse, and allowances for high-quality safety equipment.

Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximize health care options and stretch dollars when caring for yourself or dependents.

Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events.

Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare.

To Be Considered
Click the Apply button and complete the online application process. A member of our recruiting team will review your application and follow up if you seem like a great fit for this role.

In the meantime, please check out the careers website.

And finally, the fine print…. 

For Kimberly-Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world.  We actively seek to build a workforce that reflects the experiences of our consumers.  When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly-Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position. 

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, and DMV check. 

  

  

Veterans and members of the Reserve and Guard are highly encouraged to apply. 

Kimberly-Clark will support in-country relocation for the chosen candidate for the role. The benefits provided will be per the terms of Kimberly-Clark’s applicable mobility policies. The benefits/policy provided will be decided at Kimberly-Clark’s sole discretion. 

Salary Range: 105,740 – 130,620 USD

At Kimberly-Clark, pay is just one aspect of our total rewards package, which also includes a variety of benefits and opportunities to achieve, thrive and grow. Along with base pay, this position offers eligibility for a target bonus and a comprehensive benefits suite, including our 401(k) and Profit Sharing plan. The anticipated base pay range for this role is provided above for a fully qualified hire. Actual pay will depend on several factors, such as location, role, skills, performance, and experience. Please note that the stated pay range applies to US locations only.

Primary LocationNeenah - West R&E Office

Additional Locations

Worker TypeEmployee

Worker Sub-TypeRegular

Time TypeFull time