Process & Product Implementation Engineer – Packaging

Mars Incorporated in; Lewisburg (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Canin, a Mars, Incorporated brand in Lewisburg, Ohio, seeks a Process & Product Implementation Engineer - Packaging to lead packaging trials, validate new materials, and drive technology handovers to production. You will partner with Operations, Engineering, and R&D teams to implement sustainability initiatives while maintaining safety and quality standards.

The role focuses on trial planning, technical reporting, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure scalable

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science, Mechanical/Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Supply Chain or related; 1–3 years of manufacturing/engineering experience; or High School Diploma with 5+ years technical hands-on experience.
• Preferred: experience in food/beverage manufacturing or high-speed packaging operations.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or related certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead site-level packaging trials from protocol to technical reporting.
• Act as on-site technical authority during line validations and assess seal, throughput, and integrity.
• Identify and mitigate risks before full rollout and support GO/NO-GO decisions.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, QFS, CVS, and R&D Deploy teams.
• Drive sustainability initiatives including Mono-PE structures and paper transitions.
• Define SRCs and SPC methods; ensure production readiness with HO1/HO2 handovers.
• Facilitate RCA and DMAIC to address packaging faults and defects.
• Write SOPs, trial playbooks, and training materials; train operators and maintenance.

Skills

Packaging engineering

Data analysis

Technical reporting

Cross-functional collaboration

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain

HS diploma with 5+ years experience

Tools

Form-fill-seal machinery

Robotic palletizing

Heat sealers

Job description

Process & Product Implementation Engineer – Packaging (Finance)

Job Description

Job Title: Process & Product Implementation Engineer - Packaging

Segment / Business Unit: Royal Canin (Mars, Incorporated)

Location / Site: Lewisburg, Ohio (On-Site Factory)

Job Function: Research & Development (R&D) / Industrialization

Shift Schedule: Day Shift | 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM | Monday through Friday

Travel Requirements: Occasional travel to other Royal Canin manufacturing sites & vendor locations

Job Purpose & Summary

The Process & Product Implementation (PPI) Engineer - Packaging serves as the factory-level R&D representative at our Royal Canin manufacturing facility in Lewisburg, Ohio. This role leads the industrial implementation and qualification of new packaging materials, packaging technologies, equipment modifications, and sustainability initiatives.

Serving as the crucial technical link and "Voice of the Factory" to the broader R&D community, the Packaging PPI Engineer ensures innovative packaging designs are scaled seamlessly into plant operations without adverse impacts on safety, product quality, line efficiency (OEE), or factory waste. This position is central to executing Mars sustainability commitments (e.g., Mono-PE transitions, plastic reduction, paper conversions, SB54 roadmap) through rigorous trial management, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Standard Running Condition (SRC) definitions, and smooth technical handovers.

Key Responsibilities

Packaging Innovation Deployment & Industrial Trials (40%)

• Trial Planning & Execution: Lead site-level packaging trials from protocol preparation, raw material staging, line trial execution, quality sampling, to comprehensive technical reporting.
• Technical Authority: Act as the on-site technical authority during line validations, evaluating film machinability, sealing performance, line throughput, and package integrity.
• Risk Assessment & Escalation: Identify, assess, and mitigate industrial and technical risks prior to full commercial rollout; support Industrial GO / GO-NO GO decision gates.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Fremont Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality & Food Safety (Q&FS), CVS, and Regional R&D Deploy teams.

Packaging Sustainability & Material Transition (25%)

• Sustainability Roadmap: Drive factory execution of sustainable packaging initiatives including Mono-PE structures, plastic reduction, paper transition, and SB54 compliance.
• TRL Progression: Support TRL5/6 development trials, TRL7 saleable soft launches, and TRL8/9 full-scale industrial deployments.
• Supplier Validation: Validate alternative sustainable substrates and new vendor packaging materials to ensure strict barrier, hermetic seal, and shelf-life requirements.

Specifications Management & Statistical Process Control (20%)

• R&D Specifications: Ensure full site compliance with R&D material, equipment, and finished pack technical standards.
• Standard Running Conditions (SRCs):Define, validate, and document optimal process parameter envelopes and standard machine settings.
• Statistical Process Control (SPC):Apply SPC tools to monitor process capability (Cp/Cpk), eliminate line variation, and drive scrap/waste reductions.
• Handover Protocols: Manage Hand Over 1 (HO1) and Hand Over 2 (HO2) operational transfer documentation to ensure production readiness.

Continuous Improvement, Training & Safety (15%)

• Structured Problem Solving: Facilitate Root Cause Analysis (RCA), 5-Why, and DMAIC problem-solving for chronic packaging equipment faults and packaging quality defects.
• Knowledge Transfer & SOPs: Author standard operating procedures, trial playbooks, and training materials; coach operators and maintenance technicians.
• Quality & Safety Compliance: Strictly adhere to Mars Quality & Food Safety (Q&FS), Occupational Safety (HSE), and environmental standards during all trial activities.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Supply Chain, or related technical discipline with 1-3 years of manufacturing/engineering experience; OR High School Diploma/GED with 5+ years of relevant technical/hands‑on manufacturing experience.
• Preferred Experience: Experience in food/beverage manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or high-speed packaging operations.
• Certifications: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or related continuous improvement certification is preferred.

Technical Skills & Competencies

• Familiarity with high-speed packaging machinery (form-fill-seal, bagging, robotic palletizing, cartoners, heat sealers, conveyors).
• Proficiency in data analysis, root cause troubleshooting, and statistical methods (SPC).
• Demonstrated ability to write technical trial reports, standard operating procedures, and deliver technical training.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills across cross‑functional operations and R&D teams.

Physical & Working Conditions

• Schedule: Standard Day Shift (7:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday) with occasional flexibility required during trial runs.
• Work Environment: Ability to work in a plant environment, navigate stairs, stand for extended periods during trials, and lift up to 35 lbs.
• Hands‑on Capability: Ability to