Production Technology & Process Specialist

About the role

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.

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.
• 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.
• Create, revise, and control 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• A 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401K Plan
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement