The Product Engineering Manager will function as a team leader/manager/mentor in the design, development, and introduction of new rigid plastic packaging products and changes to existing products from initial concepts through development and testing to product launch. Key activities will include leading engineering teams in the development of product concepts and idea generation, 3D and 2D CAD design, Design and Process FMEA’s, FEA analysis, pre-production trials, laboratory package testing, and generation of Product Specifications for both Sales and Manufacturing.
The Product Engineering Manager will be responsible for ensuring that Mauser’s rigid plastic packaging products meet all applicable regulatory requirements. These include, but are not limited to, global plastics recycling and recycled content mandates, global food-contact requirements, UN Hazmat packaging requirements, and child-resistant senior friendly protocols. The Product Engineering Manager will also provide customer guidance on the chemical compatibility of their products with our packaging materials.
The Product Engineering Manager will work with other members of the Mauser Engineering team including Materials, Process, Tooling, Automation, and Project Engineering to help administer, coordinate, and manage the launch of new products through the Engineering and Development process. The position will also require interfacing with Customers and Sales to discuss market needs and develop product concepts.
Responsibilities:
- Designs and develops concepts for new plastic packaging to meet customer, sales, and operational objectives.
- Ensures that product designs are manufacturable, ergonomic, and fit for intended use.
- Defines, plans, and monitors costs and technical performance for major product developments and/or core engineering projects or multiple projects. Implements on-going project status reviews using project management tools and engineering systems.
- Provides team direction on technical priorities or design alternatives for projects within the project scope. Acts as the primary technical contact on team for product performance and as an advisor to engineering or business unit leadership. Represents the organization as the technical liaison in providing solutions to customer problems.
- Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with internal and external customers and assures customer needs are identified and addressed.
- Plans, coordinates, and manages the testing of products throughout the design process to troubleshoot any potential problems.
- Implements and maintains consistent engineering practices, standards, and documentation procedures and reporting systems (e.g. structured product development processes and gate reviews; engineering change flow down; knowledge databases). Takes appropriate steps to protect and safeguard intellectual property.
- Develops and analyzes the operating budget for new product development; projects and plans for future needs (e.g. workforce planning; introduction of new technologies). Monitors conformance to contractual, regulatory, and cost elements. Provides cost input for business proposals.
- Compiles engineering cost data and identifies opportunities for process improvements to reduce product costs or improve productivity. Provides feedback to the team on performance to engineering cost targets.
- Works with business development and program management to identify new business opportunities, present company product capabilities, and clarify customers’ technical requirements.
- Identifies and creates technical training and development plans. Mentors or serves as a resource to share specialized knowledge with others. Maintains leadership and technical capabilities through continued education or training.
Requirements:
- BS in Engineering or related field
- 10-15 years of Product Design, Product/Project Management or related experience with a demonstrated history of increasing responsibility and team leadership in a plastics manufacturing environment.
- Background should include plastic packaging experience in a high-volume, low-margin manufacturing environment.
- 3D/2D CAD proficiency: Solid Edge, Solid Works, Pro-E, etc., Experience with Siemens SolidEdge preferred.
- Experienced with ANSI drafting/drawing standards.
- Thorough understanding of plastics processing (injection molding, blow molding, machine operations, mold design).
- Experience with Lean/Six Sigma processes and Continuous Improvement principles.
- Strong background in plastics packaging regulations (recycling, food-contact, UN hazmat).
- Prior experience with managing new product introductions in a manufacturing environment.
- Good written and oral skills. Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Adept with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.).
- Travel: 15-20%.
- Able to work with all levels of customers, managers, and employees in a cooperative manner.
- Willing to roll up sleeves and work alongside others with a “Let’s get it done” attitude.
- This position is based in our LaGrange, GA facility. Remote work is not available for this role.
