Engineering Manager - Materials & Converting

Job Description

To support Pregis’ aggressive growth plans, The Engineering Manager – Materials & Converting will lead NPD projects and innovation initiatives across Pregis.    Key initiatives this role will be responsible for include sustainable consumable product offering through material development and next generation converting technologies.

This is a diverse role requiring ability to adapt and learn the various technologies within Pregis that are unique to provide packaging solutions to our customers. Not only understanding the converting technology but in this role, you would need to understand the fitness-for use of the products in application to continue to advance, develop, enhance and test these solutions to realize improved products for our markets.  This role will report to the Vice-President, Technology and be based in Aurora, IL.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from development through to commercialization using the NPC (New Product Commercialization) process
• Create roadmap to prove out concepts, whether that include modification to manufacturing or pilot equipment
• Work strategically with approved external partners to accelerate new ideas, flushing out and documenting, and communicating status and next steps
• Manage projects while mentoring and support team members on projects, vendor selection and management

Qualifications

• Require: Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• A minimum of 12-15 years’ experience in a combination of roles as mechanical/ electrical/ manufacturing/ plant engineer.  Working predominantly in plastic, paper, nonwoven web handling manufacturing environments. 
• Troubleshooting – Able to lead a group or individuals on root cause analysis on manufacturing equipment, in person or remote – Occam’s Razor
• Controls experience
• PLC programming; HMI programming
• Servo and Stepper motor control programming
• Basic understanding of pneumatic systems and controls
• Understanding of 3 phase power, line transformers, 3-phase power distribution, switch gear, facility wiring, and machine connection.
• Capital Project Management
• Project Planning
• Create and track budget; Support and execute PTP within SAP Requisition
• Create theory of operation documentation
• Review quotes from vendors and be able to revise with vendor as required
• Provide Project Tracker updates to Leadership on project status
• Knowledge of Safety requirements CE compliance
• Interface with plant management
• Support new equipment in manufacturing environment
• Hand-off to local personnel
• Support maintenance 
• Coordinate operator and maintenance training
• Scheduling of multiple vendors
• Interfacing with various outside contractors
• Organizing and managing project installations
• NPD Product Development
• Execution of multiple project paths to prove out concepts, build and/or modify pilot equipment to create consumable product prototypes
• Translate pilot/prototype to full-scale machine capability
• The ability to understand machine capability, what it can do and cannot do
• Able to conceptually design and choose machine build partner, easily vet out who can and cannot have the skills necessary to complete the job.
• Retain and build a trusted network of external service providers, including machine shops, electricians, control/system integrators.
• Must be able to successfully interact and communicate within our business units, outside contractors and suppliers.
• Ability to manage small team of Engineers and Technicians.
• Self-Directed – able to manage multiple projects without significant oversight
• Strong sense of ownership with ability to prioritize and manage multiple simultaneous work-streams
• Coachable and open to feedback.
• A strong verbal and written communication skills as well as robust project management skills are a must along with good interpersonal skills.
• Provide leadership on the manufacturing floor during trials working side-by-side operations.
• Flexible/adaptable to changing work assignments/business priorities.
• Embodies the Pregis values of Integrity, Collaboration, Customer Focus and Innovation.
• Passionate about the Pregis Purpose, to Protect, Preserve and Inspyre.
• Able to stand for long periods of time; as much as up to 12 hours.
• Travel: This role will require travel to Pregis facilities, vendors, and customers.
  • Typical travel for this role will be 7-10 days per month and mostly within driving radius of Aurora, IL, and Sussex, WI.  Generally, this travel will be Monday through Friday and every other week.  During critical project milestones, e.g. machine installation and commissioning, new product/equipment qualification work could require up to 3 consecutive weeks of travel, coming home on weekends.  Majority of the travel is domestic, US travel.  Within a year this can occur up to 6 times