Corporate Project Engineer - Protective Packaging/Process Engineer

SCOPE

Provide corporate process-engineering leadership across manufacturing operations, with emphasis on paper-based packaging and high-speed paper converting processes.

Apply practical expertise in process development, optimization, troubleshooting, equipment capability, materials, quality, and continuous improvement. Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Product Development, OEMs, and suppliers to improve existing processes and industrialize new products and technologies.

Analyze complex manufacturing problems, establish process controls and operating windows, transfer best practices across manufacturing locations, and provide process-engineering support for capital equipment, FAT/SAT, commissioning, and process qualification. Project management is a supporting responsibility rather than the primary purpose of the position.

This position requires significant travel, typically 1–3 weeks per month, based on business needs, to support manufacturing locations, process improvement initiatives, equipment suppliers, commissioning, and other plant-level activities.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide corporate process-engineering leadership for paper-based manufacturing, including paper converting, web handling, adhesive application, forming, cutting, sealing, and folding.

Develop, optimize, and standardize manufacturing processes to improve safety, quality, throughput, OEE, reliability, yield, waste, and cost.

Apply expertise in paper properties and converting behavior, including basis weight, moisture, caliper, strength, dimensional stability, curl, friction, and adhesive interaction.

Troubleshoot complex manufacturing problems using structured root-cause analysis, data analysis, experimentation, DOE, and process capability methods to implement sustainable corrective actions.

Establish critical process parameters, operating windows, specifications, controls, and standard operating conditions for existing and new manufacturing processes.

Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, R&D/Product Development, Commercial, and Engineering to industrialize new products and manufacturing technologies.

Evaluate manufacturing equipment and processes to improve speed, reliability, OEE, yield, quality, automation, and process simplification.

Develop and transfer process standards and best practices across manufacturing locations.

Work with paper mills, adhesive suppliers, OEMs, and technical suppliers to evaluate materials, equipment, process capability, and emerging technologies.

Provide process-engineering support for capital projects, including equipment specifications, design reviews, FAT/SAT, commissioning, process qualification, acceptance criteria, and production ramp-up.

Develop process documentation and train plant engineering, operations, maintenance, and technical personnel in process fundamentals, troubleshooting, and standardized manufacturing practices.

Maintain knowledge of advancements in paper manufacturing, converting, adhesives, web handling, automation, controls, sustainability, and e-commerce packaging technologies.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

B.S. in Paper Science, Paper Engineering, Chemical, Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering, or related discipline.

Minimum five years of process-engineering experience in manufacturing, with significant experience in paper, paper converting, corrugated, packaging, envelopes/mailers, or high-speed web-based manufacturing.

Direct paper or paper-converting manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.

Demonstrated expertise in process development, optimization, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, DOE, process capability, and continuous improvement.

Strong understanding of paper properties and converting performance, including moisture, basis weight, caliper, strength, dimensional stability, curl, friction, and adhesive interaction.

Experience with high-speed web handling, converting equipment, adhesives, and automated/PLC-controlled manufacturing systems preferred.

Experience developing process specifications and supporting equipment commissioning, FAT/SAT, process qualification, and production ramp-up.

Strong analytical, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills; knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and SPC. Ability to travel as required.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

Delivers measurable improvements in safety, quality, throughput, OEE, reliability, yield, waste, and cost.

Develop data-driven solutions that eliminate root causes and establish robust, repeatable manufacturing processes.

Successfully develops and transfers process standards and best practices across manufacturing locations.

Demonstrates strong technical expertise and credibility in paper materials, converting processes, manufacturing equipment, and process engineering.

Effectively supports new-product industrialization, equipment commissioning, process qualification, and production ramp-up while communicating effectively across the organization.