Production Technology & Process Specialist

The Production Technology & Process Specialist contributes to the success of Eagle Flexible Packaging (“Eagle”) by serving as the company’s subject-matter expert for one assigned production discipline: Printing Press, Slitting, Lamination, or Pouching. One specialist is intended for each production department. The role serves both Batavia, IL, and Waupun, WI, as a single-enterprise resource, combining hands-on equipment expertise, process engineering, training development, and continuous improvement leadership.Working closely with the Owner, COO, department leads, production leadership, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers, this position captures critical equipment knowledge and turns it into repeatable operating standards. The specialist identifies and tests improvements in automation, speed, efficiency, quality, workflow, and internal material movement while helping operators and support personnel build the skills required for consistent performance. Primary Duties and Responsibilities:Serve as Eagle’s primary technical subject-matter expert for the assigned production department and its related equipment, tooling, controls, and processes.Partner with the Owner and COO to capture, organize, and transfer detailed knowledge of equipment capabilities, operating characteristics, common failure modes, setup practices, and troubleshooting methods.Maintain current knowledge of existing equipment and develop practical recommendations for maximizing reliability, capability, and useful life.Provide hands-on technical support for complex process, equipment, setup, and quality issues that exceed normal frontline troubleshooting.Work with the owner and COO to identify, evaluate, prioritize, test, and implement improvements involving automation, operating speed, throughput, labor efficiency, waste reduction, quality, changeover time, and equipment reliability.Use structured trials and data to validate proposed equipment settings, materials, tooling, controls, or process changes before standardization.Initiate and lead technical discussions with equipment manufacturers, suppliers, integrators, and other outside experts to resolve problems and advance improvement opportunities.Evaluate emerging production technologies and recommend applications that support Eagle’s operating and growth objectives.Support equipment specification, factory acceptance testing, installation, startup, commissioning, and performance validation when applicable.Partner with department leads to define consistent training expectations and qualification standards for operators and production support roles across both locations.Own the creation, revision, and control of training documents, standard work, setup standards, troubleshooting guides, SOPs, skills assessments, and operator-certification materials for the assigned department.Translate technical equipment knowledge into clear, practical, floor-level instruction that can be taught and consistently applied.Train and coach department leads, trainers, operators, and support personnel; verify that learning is demonstrated through observation and performance-based certification.Help ensure that process changes are reflected promptly in controlled documentation and reinforced through retraining when required.Work with production leadership to improve departmental workflows, scheduling interfaces, work-in-process movement, material presentation, handoffs, and internal supply-chain efficiency.Promote common operating practices and shared learning between Batavia and Waupun while recognizing legitimate equipment or product differences.Analyze recurring constraints, losses, defects, downtime, and bottlenecks; help establish countermeasures and follow improvements through sustained results.Support cross-functional improvement efforts involving Production, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Safety.Travel to equipment-manufacturer facilities and other approved manufacturing locations for advanced training, trials, testing, benchmarking, and technical problem-solving.Attend relevant industry trade shows, demonstrations, and technical events to identify new technologies and practices with potential application at Eagle.Summarize findings, assess business value and implementation requirements, and present recommendations to the COO and other leaders.Ensure that all company food safety and quality assurance procedures are followed at all times. Escalate any issues/concerns to management.Other related duties as assigned. Requirements:High school degree or equivalent (GED) or equivalent experience.Demonstrated hands-on success operating, setting up, maintaining, troubleshooting, improving, or supporting equipment comparable to the assigned department’s machinery.Strong mechanical aptitude and practical engineering mindset, with the ability to understand equipment interactions, controls, tooling, materials, and process variables.Proven ability to diagnose complex production problems, conduct effective trials, interpret results, and implement sustainable countermeasures.Self-directed work style and demonstrated initiative in contacting manufacturers, suppliers, and technical resources to solve problems or investigate opportunities.Ability to create clear SOPs, standard work, training materials, and qualification criteria and to train employees with varying levels of experience.Strong written, verbal, facilitation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.Ability and willingness to work regularly on the production floor in an active manufacturing environment, including ability to sit, stand, and walk for prolonged periods of time.Ability and willingness to travel frequently between Batavia and Waupun and periodically to manufacturer locations, testing sites, and industry trade shows.Effective people skills and ability to motivate others to enhance team performance.Excellent work ethic with enthusiasm for learning, teaching, and growing.Enthusiasm for the Eagle mission of embracing our Guiding Values that focus on developing and empowering our team members to create valued, trusted, and lasting relationships with both customers and suppliers. Preferred Qualification:Prior employment with an equipment manufacturer, systems integrator, or specialized technical service organization.Experience in flexible packaging, converting, printing, slitting, laminating, pouch making, or a closely related manufacturing environment.Experience with equipment commissioning, factory or site acceptance testing, automation projects, Lean manufacturing, structured problem solving, or operator-certification programs.Technical degree, apprenticeship, military technical training, or equivalent combination of education and relevant hands-on experience.Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus. Additional Information:Regular travel will be required, up to 50% and primarily domestic. The standard work schedule for this position is daytime hours Monday-Friday, but the incumbent will need to flex their work hours to meet business needs and work hands-on with all employees in a 24/5 manufacturing environment. Pay: $100,000 to $135,000 per year Flex Your Potential with Eagle! We are committed to supporting our employees’ career growth and aspirations and provide full-time team members with the following benefits:Medical Insurance– On the first of month following 60 days of employment, employees can choose from 1 PPO/HRA plan, 2 PPO/HSA plans, and 1 HMO/HRA plan, all provided by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.HRA / HSA Contributions– Participants in the employer-provided medical insurance program will receive funds from Eagle for either their HRA (for PPO/HRA and HMO/HRA enrollees) or HSA (for all PPO/HSA enrollees). The annual amount provided to each participant is based on one’s enrollment tier per the following schedule: $1,500.00 for Employee Only coverage, $3,000.00 for Employee + Spouse or Employee + Child(ren), and $4,500.00 for Family coverage.Dental Insurance– On the first of month following 60 days of employment, employees can enroll in dental insurance provided by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.Vision Insurance– On the first of month following 60 days of employment, employees can enroll in this voluntary benefit through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.401K Plan – Plan entry date is the first of the month following 6 months of service. Eagle provides its employees with a 100% match up to 1% and 50% match up to 6%.Company Paid Short Term Disability– The Short-Term Disability premium is 100% paid by Eagle.Company Paid Long Term Disability– The Long-Term Disability premium is 100% paid by Eagle.Life Insurance– The Basic Life premium is 100% paid by Eagle and is a flat $20,000 benefit for all FT, benefit eligible employees. Employees have the option to purchase additional voluntary life insurance for self, spouse, and dependent children.Vacation/PTO – The amount of vacation/paid time off (PTO) employees receive each year starts at 80 hours (2 weeks) each year, which accrues at a rate of 1.538 hours per week, and increases with the length of employment.8 Company Paid Holidays– Eligible after 60 days of employment.Sick Leave– Eligible for paid sick days at the rate of 3 days (24 hours) per year after 6 months of service (prorated for per the calendar year).Tuition Reimbursement– Following 6 months of employment, employees are eligible for reimbursement for courses, certifications, and training programs that support their Eagle careers. Part-time team members are provided with the following benefits:Vacation/PTO – Eligible to earn 1 hour of vacation/PTO for every 40 hours worked up to a maximum of 40 hours of vacation/PTO.401K Plan– Plan entry date is the first of the month following 6 months of service. Eagle provides its employees with a 100% match up to 1% and 50% match up to 6%. Eagle Flexible Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We participate in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.