Joining King's Hawaiian makes you part of our `ohana (family). We are a family-owned business for over seventy years, respecting our roots while thinking about our future as we continue to grow and care for our customers and the communities we serve. Our `ohana members build an environment of inclusivity as they freely collaborate, pursue learning through curiosity, and explore innovation as critical thinkers. Beyond that, we are also passionate about supporting the long-term health and well-being of our employees and their families. If you're excited to rise with our team, come and join our `ohana!
Working under the general supervision of Director, Product Development, The Sr. R&D Packaging Engineer, is an idealist, researcher, designer, and builder. This role develops new packaging solutions and makes the right packaging equipment selection to commercialize new products, and ideates, develops, tests, and collaborates with others to introduce new, irresistible products for King's consumers to love and share. The Sr. R&D Packaging Engineer will be a part of a multi-disciplinary Innovation & Commercialization team. The role will work with Product Developers. R&D Process Engineers, Marketing Insights, and Operations to commercialize these new products. Employees in this position may interact with their leader several times a week to receive guidance and feedback. Some non-routine activities may require a supervisor's advance approval, but routine decisions within the general scope of the role may be made independently.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Packaging Development: Design and develop packaging solutions for new food products, ensuring they meet functional, aesthetic, and cost requirements. Organize and execute research and testing to drive packaging innovation. Knowledge of substrate in film, paperboard, microwave technology. Skills in prototype development while using design tool like digital printing, 3D printing etc.
- Innovation : Be a champion to develop internal packaging design capabilities with innovation as a key success factor. Stay updated on new and evolving packaging technology with a focus on bringing Kings Hawaiian to the forefront of trends. IP screening and generation is a key requirement for this role.
- Packaging Equipment: Act as a consultant for equipment design and purchasing from a packaging and R&D standpoint. Oversee the selection, installation, and validation of packaging equipment. Ensure that equipment meets performance specifications and operational efficiency.
- Testing and Validation: Develop and evolve robust testing methods by outlining scope, methodology and criteria for multiple packaging types including but not limited to paperboard, corrugate, seal film, and rigid & flexible plastics. Coordinate and conduct packaging tests at multiple facilities, document key metrics, communicate results, and provide recommendations based on testing outcomes.
- Data analytics and Documentation: Maintain records for historical data around ideation, testing, and development of packaging to comply with safety certifications, provide feedback to various teams, reduce duplication of efforts, etc. Prepare detailed technical documentation, including specifications, test reports, and user guides for packaging solutions.
- Vendor Relationship Development: Lead communication with packaging vendors and internal sourcing teams to acquire samples for site acceptance tests, relocation of equipment, proof of concept testing, and other initiatives. Organize vendor visits or virtual presentations for trends, capabilities, testing, and other connect points with the innovation team.
- Regulatory and Sustainability: Develop packaging solutions with the organization's regulatory and sustainability goals in mind, especially for new global markets
- Co-manufacturing: Collaborate with co-manufacturing partners to offer expertise and ensure Kings Hawaiian's standards are met for packaging based on process, product type, distribution methods, shelf-life targets, etc.
- Continuous Improvement: proactively identify and implement new opportunities to improve innovation capabilities and speed. Own in-house packaging and prototyping technologies to supper early-stage innovation.
- Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- More than 5 years of R&D experience in packaging, preferably in the food industry or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ability to lift 50 lbs.
- Ability to stand 2-3 hours.
- Ability to travel 15-20%.
- Packaging Design Tools: Experience with packaging design tools and software. Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software for packaging design.
- Materials Science: Strong understanding of materials science as it pertains to packaging.
- Testing and Validation: Familiarity with packaging testing methodologies and validation processes.
King's Hawaiian operates in a hybrid environment where we are in the office Monday - Wednesday and remote on Thursday and Friday. Please note that due to the nature of Innovation work, some Thursday and Friday in-office days will be needed.
The compensation range for this role is $117,500 to $167,500 plus bonus.
King's Hawaiian is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our ohana.