Processing and Packaging Engineer Manager

Overhill Farms, Inc.; Vernon (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Overhill Farms, Inc. is seeking a Processing and Packaging Engineering Manager to oversee packaging design, development, and implementation for Brand and B2B projects.

You will collaborate with R&D, production, and finance to ensure cost-effective, high-quality packaging, manage engineering projects, and lead plant trials for new SKUs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing and packaging design.
• Ability to test, troubleshoot, and lead trial runs.
• Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement skills.
• Effective communication with customers, operations management, and vendors.
• Experience with CAD for processing and line layout design.

Responsibilities

• Design shipper cases, cartons and trays for B2B projects.
• Collaborate with R&D and operations on process design affecting product design.
• Ensure packaging equipment is compatible with new formats.
• Lead plant trials and ensure timely release of production orders.
• Coordinate with maintenance for change parts.
• Support packaging costing and supplier quotes.
• Manage engineering projects across multiple lines.
• Lead continuous improvement meetings for packaging.

Skills

Packaging design

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

CLASSIFICATION: Processing and Packaging Engineering Manager

EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/24/25

REPORTS TO: Sr Director of Application and Continuous Improvement

EXEMPT/NON-EXEMPT: Exempt

Overhill Farms is a leading custom manufacturer of high quality prepared frozen foods, serving customers in the branded retail, private label and foodservice sectors. We provide a one-stop solution that offers new product development or precise replication of existing recipes as well as product manufacturing and packaging. Our custom product lines include poultry, meat and fish specialties, pastas, soups, sauces, certified organic and vegetarian offerings. These can be prepared as entrées, plated meals or bulk-packed meal components.

Overhill Farms: A custom manufacturer of high-quality frozen food products.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Processing and Packaging Engineering Manager is responsible for overseeing the design, development, and implementation of packaging solutions for Brand and B2B commercialization projects. This role involves close collaboration with R&D, production, and finance teams to ensure packaging components meet cost and quality requirements while supporting production needs. The manager will also be responsible for troubleshooting packaging issues, managing engineering projects, and coordinating plant trials for new SKUs. Additional duties include creating production flows, ensuring compatibility between packaging equipment and formats, conducting meetings, and assisting with packaging-related customer requests. The manager will also support plant scheduling and ensure the timely release of production orders and completion of daily reports. This role plays a critical part in improving packaging efficiency and quality across various production lines, including identifying cost-effective alternatives and implementing continuous improvements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following and other duties as assigned:

• Design shipper cases, cartons and trays for all B2B commercialization projects
• Work with R&D and operation on process design that impact to product design such as lasagna sheet dimensions for new SKU and create production flows for new processes
• Ensure packaging equipment (sealer, cartoner, case packer, etc.) is compatible with new packaging formats
• Work with the maintenance team to get the appropriate change parts for new packaging formats
• Help R&D and finance with packaging portion of costing recipes in a timely manner
• Assist production with SCAR complaints on packaging
• Customer support such as Prepare packaging samples for customers upon request, fill out forms related to packaging information for customers in a timely manner
• Attend customer meetings and related new product development meetings such as PDR
• Conduct PI meetings for all projects moving to production and cover PI meetings for other project managers
• Conduct pre-trial & pre-production meetings with all departments
• Prepare all packaging components (film, tray, bags, cases, etc.) for all plant trials
• Attend all plant trials & first productions from start to finish for all new SKUs
• Manage engineering projects (ex: plant 1 RTE line, line 2 fryer at plant 2, Demaco line implementation, etc.)
• Get quotes and drawings from vendors for new equipment to be implemented in the line
• Order parts that are related to new product and packaging design such new tray carrier or new pasta die design
• Support Packaging equipment in production line such as Program the central palletizer system for new SKUs to be used, create all inkjet information for new SKUs, and help production troubleshoot case & bag printer problems
• Lead continuous improvement meetings such as the monthly Plant 2 Yield Improvements meeting and bi-weekly Demaco meeting
• Cost improvement on packaging alternatives and improve packaging quality (open seals improvements, case erector problems for line 6, etc.)
• Help finance with checking on MUV reports & validate process loss/yield in costing upon request
• Release production orders each week for Plant 2 schedule
• Complete the daily packing report for Plant 1
• Provide rework orders for Plant 1 and Plant 2 upon request in a timely manner
• Close production orders once production is done and are ready for Final Tag
• Able cover for plant scheduler when she is not available

REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, a related field, or a relevant science degree
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing and packaging design
• Ability to work in manufacturing facilities to test, troubleshoot, and lead trial run
• Strong problem-solving skills, and continuous improvement skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, operations management, industrial staff, and vendors.
• Able to utilize CAD software tool for processing, line layout design
• Ability to learn, understand and apply new technologies, and work independently.
• Understand manufacturing cost and variance related to process efficiency
• Able to test compatibility with a new packaging requirement with a process line and estimate if any investment is needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities