Sr. Packaging Engineer- RTD Development & Innovation

What makes this a great opportunity?

The Senior Packaging Engineer-RTD Development and Innovation is responsible for ensuring that the packaging is the right fit for the consumer by using innovation and consumer insights to meet consumer demand and preferences.  Using packaging as a competitive advantage Suntory Global Spirits will gain share in the marketplace as a leader in the Ready to Drink Category.  This role is responsible for ensuring SGS packaging is of the highest quality standards from “seed to sip.” Develop innovative solutions for primary and secondary packaging for the RTD (Ready to Drink) brand house, Operating Units and Co-manufacturing sites.  Leveraging Suntory Monozukuri values to partner with BSI stakeholders across the business. Create an environment of collaborative team spirit with the Brand House and Supply Chain through timely and effective communication and collaboration. 

Role Responsibilities

•    Packaging Commercialization Leader for all RTD projects, focusing on enhancing sustainability, functionality, and consumer appeal while ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
•    Innovation facilitation (with Procurement and brand teams).  Staying informed on key trends in the RTD space and partnering with cross functional teams to develop creative and innovative solutions to technical challenges.  
•    Responsible for all packaging duties from feasibility to launch (“Seed to Sip”)
•    Partner with cross functional teams to identify design improvement opportunities to be integrated into future design work with our supplier’s.
•    Support technical timelines by raising issues and risks, leveraging strong packaging development skills.
•    Lead or support the development and changes of packaging specifications for all RTDs, including both internal and external manufacturing sites.
•    Create BOM and Case Finished Good specification including all weights, dimensions, and pallet patterns. 
•    Conduct incoming can quality checks for lab samples, pilot lab productions, and productions at both internal and external manufacturing sites.
•    Responsible for testing and qualifying all new packaging components, including can liners to ensure compatible with our products.
•    Lead Technical Risk Assessments for high-risk projects as needed.
•    Qualification of new co-mans, or in some instances bringing new packaging capabilities in-house.
•    Provide on-site support for all new RTD 1st productions at Internal and external locations, including suppliers if necessary. 
•    Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
 

Qualifications

•    Bachelor’s Degree in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Technology, or related field required. Equivalent experience may be accepted for certain attributes of the position. Master’s degree would be a plus.
•    A minimum of 5 years of packaging engineering experience in ready to drink spirits or soft drink industry required.  
•    Technical knowledge of packaging materials: cans, glass, cartons, corrugated packaging, and labels
•    Experience with still and carbonated liquids.
•    Must be fluent in English; second language is a plus, but not required. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and written, and explain technical concepts or innovations to technical and non-technical employees. 
•    Advanced computer skills Microsoft Office, TOPS, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat software, SAP and Specification software.
•    Strong working knowledge of packaging utilized in the consumer product goods (CPG) industry, including manufacturing processes, packaging materials, and performance. 
•    Excellent collaboration, organization and presentation skills to support cross functional partners both internal and external to Suntory Global Spirits.
•    Strong working knowledge of packaging development including writing specifications, packaging testing, risk assessments, qualifications and/or commissioning plans at the manufacturing site.
•    Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural team environment, communicating with stake holders and vendors while working on multiple projects at the same time.
•    Must be able to multitask and be resilient when faced with change.
•    Physical requirements: ability to conduct visits and “gemba” activities throughout the manufacturing site- on-grade, below-grade and above-grade working surfaces. 
•    All applicants must have legal authorization to work in the country in which the manufacturing site is located. The candidate must be able to travel to (and throughout) countries in which BSI has manufacturing locations (travel <35%).
A successful candidate will have a passion for packaging, strong organization and communication skills, and a proven ability to work collaboratively with others and bring a forward-thinking and entrepreneurial spirit to this role.