Senior Packaging Specialist

Nestlé S.A.; Solon (OH); On-site; USD 98,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Healthcare coverage

Performance incentives

Job summary

Nestlé USA is seeking a Senior Packaging Specialist to apply deep technical expertise in packaging equipment across the manufacturing network. You will diagnose complex challenges, implement sustainable solutions, and help meet safety, quality, performance, cost, and sustainability goals.

Collaborate with factories, Engineering, Maintenance, and suppliers to drive improvements, develop standards, centerlines, and training.

Qualifications

• Requires bachelor-level engineering/packaging background.
• Experience with packaging-equip safety, operation, maintenance and controls.
• Ability to analyze equipment data and document technical work clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging performance improvement projects using structured methods.
• Provide SME guidance for packaging equipment issues and losses.
• Develop centerlines, operating standards, PM/CIL improvements and training.
• Coordinate with operations, maintenance, QA, R&D, and suppliers to resolve issues.
• Escalate risks early and document decisions, tests and learnings.
• Maintain records of actions, risks, decisions and benefits in standard systems.

Skills

Packaging safety

Packaging equipment knowledge

Data-driven analysis

Technical documentation

Cross-functional collaboration

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/packaging

High school diploma + packaging experience

Job description

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow. At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives.

Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk‑taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive. This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Position Summary

The Senior Packaging Specialist serves as a packaging equipment subject matter expert who applies deep technical expertise and structured problem‑solving to improve packaging operations performance across the manufacturing network. The role is responsible for diagnosing complex equipment and process challenges, identifying and implementing sustainable solutions, and supporting the delivery of Nestlé's safety, quality, performance, innovation, cost, and sustainability objectives.

Working closely with factories, Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, R&D, Packaging, and external suppliers, the Senior Specialist provides technical knowledge for packaging equipment performance improvement, equipment selection and specification, industrialization, and capital projects. The role influences technical decisions, supports the development of standards and best practices, and ensures that successful solutions are translated into sustainable factory capability and scalable network learnings.

As a recognized technical resource in one or more packaging equipment technologies, the Senior Specialist coaches and develops others, builds strong relationships with equipment suppliers and industry partners, and continuously expands technical expertise. The position requires a hands‑on approach, strong manufacturing experience, and the ability to deliver measurable business results while progressing toward Expert‑level technical leadership.

Key Outputs and Deliverables:

Execute packaging performance improvement (40%)

• Lead defined workstreams or smaller improvement engagements using the Identify-Fix-Sustain-Replicate method
• Collect and validate performance data; build Pareto and loss analyses; support gemba observations; document current conditions; and apply structured root‑cause tools.
• Develop and execute action plans with factory teams, including machine restoration, centerlining, changeover optimization, operating standards, maintenance improvements, and training.
• Track results against agreed baselines and success criteria for OEE, eUPS/unplanned stops, technical downtime, waste/MUV, throughput, M&I, and labor efficiency as applicable.
• Support sustainment checks and ensure local ownership, standards, training, and daily controls are in place before closure.

Provide equipment engineering and factory support (25%)

• Act as SME in one or more packaging equipment areas and provide hands‑on technical support for chronic or complex losses.
• Coach and develop expertise at the Factory level for continuous support and improvement of the factory packaging operations.
• Build equipment capability matrices, theory‑of‑operation documents, centerlines, troubleshooting guides, PM/CIL standards, and technical training content.
• Coordinate with operations, maintenance, E&A, quality, packaging, R&D, engineering, and suppliers to resolve technical issues and remove barriers.
• Escalate risks and decisions early, and document assumptions, tests, changes, and learning.

Support CAPEX and industrialization (15%)

• Contribute to URS, specifications, design reviews, vendor evaluations, FAT/SAT, commissioning, startup, and acceptance testing.
• Assess equipment solutions for safety, hygienic design, operability, maintainability, controls, reliability, and performance.
• Support new products, materials, formats, and equipment changes through structured trials and documented technical recommendations.

Standardize, replicate, and build capability (15%)

• Package successful solutions for reapplication, identify similar assets, and support deployment across assigned factories.
• Develop and deliver practical training and coach factory personnel and Equipment Owners.
• Actively build expertise toward Expert‑level capability through assigned development plans, mentoring, cross‑factory exposure, training, and progressively more complex technical leadership.

Portfolio discipline and communication (5%)

• Maintain accurate action, risk, decision, benefit, and project records in the team’s standard systems.
• Communicate status, findings, barriers, and recommendations clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Operate safely and independently within defined scope while seeking Expert guidance when risk or complexity exceeds current capability.

REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, packaging science, manufacturing technology, or a related technical field; OR high school diploma/GED and relevant technical experience with packaging equipment in a manufacturing environment.
• Relevant experience with packaging equipment in engineering, maintenance, operations, OEM field service, or technical support.
• Working knowledge of packaging‑equipment safety, machine operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, controls interfaces, and manufacturing performance measures.
• Experience supporting equipment improvement, installation, commissioning, startup, or reliability activities.
• Ability to analyze equipment or manufacturing data, document technical work, communicate technical information clearly, and collaborate across functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience with packaging equipment in engineering, maintenance, operations, OEM field service, or technical support.
• Food, beverage, or other high‑speed consumer packaged goods manufacturing experience.
• Apprenticeship, technical training, journeyperson credentials, or OEM training related to packaging equipment.
• Experience with flow wrapping, cartoning, case packing, conveying, palletizing, labeling/coding, inspection, or related packaging platforms.
• Lean Six Sigma, TPM, NCE, reliability, maintenance, automation/controls, project‑management, or OEM technical certification.
• Experience with centerlining, loss analysis, OEE/eUPS improvement, PM optimization, structured trials, or technical training.

SKILLS

• Safety, food safety, and quality focus
• Packaging‑equipment technical knowledge
• Data‑based loss analysis and root‑cause problem solving
• Technical documentation and knowledge capture
• Factory coaching and technical capability building
• Cross‑functional communication and collaboration
• Continuous‑improvement methods

Salary:$97,801.20 to$132,485.00 per year

Bonus Eligibility:Yes

Thepay rangeprovided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to knowledge, skills and abilities as well as geographic location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at top of range.

Nestlé offers performance-based incentives and a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k with company match, healthcare coverage and a broad range of other benefits. Incentives and/or benefit packages may vary depending on the position. Learn more athttps://www.nestlejobs.com/nestle-in-the-us-benefits

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace. To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [e-mail] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.