Packaging Equipment Process Specialist at Shearer's Foods

Shearer's is a leading contract manufacturer and private label supplier in the snack industry in North America. Headquartered in Massillon, Ohio, Shearer's has 17 state-of-the-art, geographically diverse manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Iowa, Ontario and Alberta, Canada, including one of the industry's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum LEED certified facilities in Massillon, Ohio. The Company is known for producing the highest quality snacks in assorted flavors and sizes, including kettle cooked potato chips, traditional potato chips, tortilla chips, cheese curls and other extruded snacks, and corn chips, as well as cookies, crackers, and wafers.

Packaging Equipment Process Specialist 

Hybrid (Massillon, OH)

The Packaging Equipment Process Specialist position is responsible for the efficient production and packaging of high quality snack food products in a continuous, improvement-based environment, while also creating and maintaining a safe work environment.  This is to be accomplished through effective leadership, coaching and development of individuals.

Your Seat at the Table: 

The Packaging Equipment Process Specialist position is accountable for the efficient production and packaging of high quality snack food products. Full understanding of theory of operation of seasoning systems, scale systems, vertical form/fill/seal packaging machines, and case packagers is essential to this role. Application of continuous improvement processes and leading and developing team members are also essential. 

Provide technical knowledge, direction, education, and assistance in the production and packaging of high quality snack food products
•    Provide technical solutions to primary packaging, flexible (film), rigid (corrugate case material), and pallet configurations from manufacturing through the distribution chain
•    Troubleshoot new or existing production and packaging problems involving designs, materials, or processes.  
•    Investigate or resolve operational problems, such as material use variances or bottlenecks.  
•    Identify opportunities or implement changes to improve manufacturing processes or to reduce costs, using knowledge of manufacturing processes, tooling and production equipment, assembly methods, quality control standards, or product design, materials and parts.  
•    Apply continuous improvement methods such as lean manufacturing to enhance manufacturing quality, reliability, or cost-effectiveness.  
•    Conduct mass balances of complete processes.
•    Assists in facility design and implementation of new equipment.
•    Provide technical expertise or support related to distribution, seasoning, weighing, and primary and secondary packaging
•    Evaluates various throughput rates and identify production limitation and equipment capability.
•    Determine root causes of failures or recommend changes in designs, tolerances, or processing/packaging methods, using statistical procedures.
•    Prepare documentation on process control for new and existing manufacturing and packaging processes or engineering procedures to achieve product specifications.
•    Evaluate manufactured and packaged products according to specifications and quality standards.
•    Train production personnel in new or existing methods.
•    Training and development site Subject Matter Experts and process engineers on theory of operation and practical application.
•    Commercialization of new products and processes.
•    Ability to travel  (travel would vary and would involve visits to individual plants to complete above responsibilities)

Leads and Develops Team Members

•    Coaches team members on a daily basis in the principles of production and packaging
•    Leads the team through an emphasis on both production and people.
•    Communicates effectively with employees through both oral and written means.
•    Conducts employee training to improve employees’ expertise and knowledge in equipment operations, work safety procedures, and teamwork, or assigns employee training to experienced workers.
•    Provides feedback to employees on individual performance standards in a timely and efficient manner.
•    Builds rapport and collaborative relationships across cross-functional teams.

Performs additional related duties as assigned

What you Bring to the Table: 

•    2 year technical degree or 4 year bachelor’s degree in engineering or science, or related and relevant industry experience is preferred.
•    5+ years of experience in packaging related field including hands on packaging experience, troubleshooting, and working on used and new packaging equipment 
•    Experience working with seasoning systems, vertical form/fill/seal packaging machines, multi head weighing units, conveyance systems, and packaging automation
•    Experience working with Continuous Improvement/Lean methods and tools such as Total Production Maintenance, Centerlines, CIL’s, Defect Handling, 5S, and Quick Changeover.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

•    Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
•    Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
•    Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
•    Troubleshooting — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
•    Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
•    Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
•    Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

We Offer a Feast of Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Flexible Spending Account, Retirement Savings Plan with Match, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Group Critical Accident Insurance, Group Critical Illness Insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and numerous opportunities to volunteer in the communities in which we operate.

You will be considered for employment in our inclusive workplace

Because at Shearer’s, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This is your invitation to apply now!

To all recruitment agencies: Shearer’s Snacks does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, employees or any other company location. Shearer’s is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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