JOB PURPOSE:
Sustainability is a core value at Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSI) and encompasses our environmental and social commitments and goals. The Packaging Engineer position is focused on reducing WSI’s Environmental impact through packaging innovation and plays a key role in the research, development, and implementation of innovative packaging initiatives. They will drive research & development, vendor engagement and stakeholder alignment within our own operations and with our supply chain partners. The ideal candidate brings a combination of packaging material expertise & manufacturing experience, analytic capabilities, and superb interpersonal communication skills. This person drives projects to completion and has the capacity to work with external and internal cross-functional teams and business managers through a structured approach.
Responsibilities
• Structural Design Expert: You are the primary owner as the Subject Matter Expert in all aspects of innovative packaging
• Serve as the technical leader, you provide packaging insights across various product lines (protective packaging, brand packaging, etc), as well as new innovations
- Researching and analyzing materials and packaging solutions
• Quality Improvement: By analyzing and proposing efficiency tools and innovative packaging test methods, you contribute to the development and validation of innovative packaging designs quality, collaborating closely with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on recommendations. Identifying areas for improvement in innovative packaging solutions
- Guide the team through effective root cause analysis and system failures you can prescribe corrective measures with a keen focus on quality & performance
- Enhance our Packaging Supplier Evaluation process to consistently identify improvement opportunities in material quality and packaging performance
• Orchestrate structural packaging design, spearhead prototype development, ensuring seamless performance across filling and packaging lines, and conducting thorough product compatibility, usage, and performance testing
• Stay abreast of the latest industry trends and advancements in packaging solutions to support WSI’s packaging innovation lab
- i.e., innovative sustainable materials
• Play a crucial role in ensuring WSI’s competitive supply rates & packaging costs when making decisions
• Build effective and strong relationships with
- Internal key stakeholders to ensure alignment on strategy, project execution, and successful fulfillment of deliverables
- External suppliers to secure consistent support for packaging innovations
Qualifications
• Knowledge of environmental regulations, including sustainable packaging design
• Direct experience managing the entirety of the packaging life cycle including
- Knowledge and understanding of packaging design validation standards (ISO, ASTM, etc.), drafting and specification standards is essential
• 5+ years of experience in distribution or consumer packaging, preferably in manufacturing
• 5+ years working directly with multiple packaging material suppliers with manufacturing quality standards
• Passionate Packaging Partner: Through your deep understanding of supplier capabilities and operations along with your own technical knowledge, you are a trusted partner with our suppliers and external partners
• Adaptability and problem-solving skills allow you to react to changing project requirements and resolve issues
effectively to keep projects on track in a fast-paced environment, and the ability to prioritize across multiple projects
• Ability to lead, motivate and influence others across multiple functions throughout the organization
• Strong data analysis skills with experience in data analytical software
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word)
• Demonstrable proficiency in 2D and 3D CAD software is needed
• Keen interest in sustainability, climate change, and environmental issues a plus
Preferred Skills:
• Knowledge of supply chain business processes
• Knowledge of commodity packaging molding processes, EBM, ISBM, IM
• Knowledgeable in multiple packaging materials, formats, conversion processes, configurations, and processing technologies
