Process Engineer

About the role

As a Packaging Engineer, you’ll help improve packaging materials, systems, and operations across safety, quality, cost savings, sustainability, and efficiency initiatives. You’ll evaluate packaging materials and technologies, support new product development, and lead projects that improve manufacturing flexibility, productivity, and product quality. You’ll work cross-functionally with teams across breweries, supply chain, procurement, quality, commercialization, and brand development to bring packaging solutions from concept through execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging engineering work for assigned capital projects, including scope definition, budget estimates, schedules, equipment specifications, installation, startup, commissioning, and training.
• Support project managers on larger capital projects by managing defined project phases, technology areas, vendors, contractors, brewery teams, and plant personnel.
• Maintain packaging material specifications and documentation for assigned projects.
• Coordinate packaging material testing with third-party laboratories, pilot breweries, and production breweries.
• Identify, develop, qualify, and commercialize new packaging materials, technologies, suppliers, vendors, and supply locations.
• Drive packaging material cost savings, Gross Margin improvement opportunities, and supply continuity initiatives across Boston Beer’s manufacturing network.
• Support packaging sustainability improvements, including sustainability metrics, Extended Producer Responsibility reporting, and weights and dimensions data.
• Review and approve packaging artwork, trial new packaging materials, manage pack format information, and support packaging material complaints, audits, and qualifications.
• Use root cause, continuous improvement, and problem-solving tools to resolve chronic losses and improve packaging material delivery and performance.
• Work in production environments with frequent exposure to loud noise, non-environmentally conditioned spaces, production equipment, and forklifts; work overtime as needed, including 12-hour days, weekends, and holidays; travel up to 25%.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science or Packaging Engineering.
• 1-3 years of progressive packaging materials development and engineering experience, preferably in beverage, food, or fast-moving consumer goods industries.
• Knowledge of beverage packaging materials, containers, and substrates, including beverage cans, bottles, closure systems, labels, folding cartons, corrugated cartons and trays, flexible films, and shrink films.
• Knowledge of packaging material test methods and laboratory techniques, including Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, ASTM International, and International Safe Transit Association methods.
• Familiarity with upstream manufacturing practices related to polyethylene terephthalate bottles, aluminum cans, glass bottles, corrugated, paperboard, and flexible films.
• Familiarity with packaging engineering and development software such as TOPS, CAPE palletization software, and AutoCAD.
• Knowledge of packaging specification systems and databases.
• Experience using continuous improvement, root cause, and problem-solving tools.
• Ability to work with, analyze, and use data and information.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, walk and stand for long periods on concrete, metal, and grated surfaces, wear assigned personal protective equipment, and work in production environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Professional certification.
• Knowledge of packaging specification and/or sustainability software, including Life Cycle Assessment or Product Management Systems.
• Familiarity with carton design software such as ArtiosCAD or Score.
• Exposure to packaging component manufacturing, including cans, bottles, corrugated, pallets, and paperboard carton manufacturing.

Pay

For this role, the salary range is between $65,000 and $120,000. The starting salary within this range is dependent on related experience, skillset, and location. This position also qualifies for a discretionary annual bonus based on company and individual performance.

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage starting on day one.
• Stock purchase plan and 401k.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Fertility/adoption support.
• Free financial coaching.
• Health & wellness program and discounts.
• Professional development & training.
• Free beer.