Packaging Engineer

Hilmar; Dalhart (TX); On-site; USD 68,879 - 103,319; Full time

Job summary

Hilmar is seeking a Packaging Engineer I in Dalhart, Texas, to support strategic objectives through optimal packaging technologies for dairy products. You'll improve profitability and sustainability while collaborating with production and engineering teams.

The ideal candidate has a B.S. in Engineering or relevant experience, along with strong analytical and presentation skills. The position may require 40-60% travel based on business needs.

Qualifications

• Ability to summarize and present technical information effectively.
• Ability to complete material balances and analyze production data.
• Knowledge of packaging equipment in food and dairy industry.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to cross-functional site productivity teams.
• Review production plants to improve packaging line performance.
• Lead troubleshooting of complex packaging issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for implementation of changes.
• Develop process control strategies to improve results.

Skills

Presentation of technical information

Data analysis using statistical techniques

Intermediate MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Education

B.S. in Mechanical, Industrial, or Packaging Engineering

Tools

Statistical analysis software

Job description

At Hilmar Cheese Company we improve lives around the world through wholesome dairy products. Since our founding in 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company has been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our state-of-the art production facilities convert an abundance of locally sourced high-quality milk into a variety of nutritious cheeses, whey protein and lactose. The Cheese and Ingredients that we produce create a wide variety of retail and food service products from sliced and shredded cheeses, to protein supplements and infant formula. We are a trusted partner to premier food and beverage brands in more than fifty countries helping bring their vision into reality.

Typical Day

The Packaging Engineer I is responsible for supporting the Company’s strategic objectives through development of the optimum, most cost-effective packaging technologies used to manufacture Hilmar’s products to enhance profitability, market position, and growth. This position will provide Packaging Engineering support on all aspects of the manufacturing process: maximizing productivity, reducing operating costs, and improving process sustainability through energy and material usage reduction, while incorporating the voice of the customer. The work includes troubleshooting problems in existing manufacturing processes, finding optimization opportunities that improve packaging line capability, and evaluating new technologies to determine their applicability, cost, and benefits to Hilmar. The Packaging Engineer I will support regional manufacturing sites as well as develop specialties based on business needs and accumulated work experience.

Job Responsibilities

• Be a critical contributor to cross‑functional site Productivity teams to deliver industry leading products and processes that help drive the business forward in its quest for operational excellence.
• Spend time in production plants reviewing and understanding opportunities to improve yield, quality, and throughput by improving packaging line performance.
• Lead troubleshooting of persistent, complex packaging issues, providing win‑win solutions that balance multiple KPIs and optimize total cost of ownership. Implement these in a manner that makes it easier for the business to execute and deliver value successfully and sustainably.
• Work with appropriate cross‑functional teams such as Operations, FSQA, Training, Maintenance, Engineering, or Operational Technology to implement changes.
• Develop and implement process control strategies aimed at improving results and reducing process variability. Collaborate with Controls Engineers to test, debug, and deploy control programs effectively.
• Guide and support packaging system components of new product development, experimental equipment and design, and plant trials. Utilize insights gained to provide guidance to project engineering on final system design and commercialization.
• Effectively collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders on cross‑functional project teams, providing technical input to obtain desired operational Project outcomes.
• Stay up to date on latest available technologies, industry direction, and voice of customer to continuously improve HCC’s technology portfolio. Manage Hilmar’s trade secrets and competitive advantage appropriately.
• This role supports a primary manufacturing region and may require 40 – 60 % travel depending on business need and project activity.

What You Will Need

• B.S. in Mechanical, Industrial, or Packaging Engineering, or related field; or High School Diploma plus 2 years’ experience with Packaging systems.
• Ability to effectively summarize and present technical information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to complete material balances and collect and analyze production data using statistical techniques.
• Ability to connect the dots between multiple plant processes to arrive at optimized solutions.
• MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint at intermediate level.

What Will Put You Ahead

• B.S. in Mechanical, Industrial, or Packaging Engineering, or related field plus 2 years’ manufacturing experience; or M.S. in Mechanical, Industrial, or Packaging Engineering, or related field; or High School Diploma plus 4 years’ experience with Packaging systems.
• Knowledge and/or experience with packaging equipment commonly found in the food and dairy industry.
• Certification or direct experience with Problem Solving methodologies (ex: Root Cause Analysis).
• Experience with statistical analysis software.
• Leadership and teambuilding skills.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The work is primarily performed in an office environment and the physical demands are characteristic of a mostly sedentary role. Specific details of the essential functions of the position is available in the Job Safety Analysis, made available on request.

Food safety is a companywide responsibility and each employee must know their role in the manufacture and distribution of safe, wholesome, and high quality products.

This description is a general statement and does not include other duties as assigned.

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/EEO. We participate in E-Verify.

English Information | Spanish Information

5B: Salary Range: USD (68 879.0 – 103 319.0) ANN. The final compensation offered within this range will depend on factors including the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.