As the world leader in nutrition, health and wellness for children from birth to preschool, Gerber Products Company is committed to creating a strong future. We joined the Nestlé Nutrition family in 2007, and have been a partner in parenthood ever since. Our Anything for Baby team works closely with experts to create products that enrich and establish healthy habits for children, and are good for the planet as well. A career at Gerber provides meaningful opportunities to develop professionally, and nurture generations to come. Now is the time to define your future, and ours too.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

The Packaging Specialist will coordinate & lead packaging initiatives within the Fort Smith Factory supporting the Nestle Nutrition Division including: Provide online technical support for new and existing packaging materials that include rigid plastic, shrink sleeve labels, flexible laminates, paperboard cartons and corrugate cases, new material and equipment qualification across all packaging formats, continuous improvement/optimization support in according to local business needs and supply situation, Support packaging sustainability initiatives to achieve Gerber's sustainability commitments, and Develop expertise for packaging and processing mastership to enable manufacturing excellence.  This position will actively seek new packaging concepts which will lead to a competitive advantage and identify and support cost reduction opportunities.      

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical packaging and processing support for the Fort Smith factory and lead assigned projects assigned through the Factory or the Technical Service Steering Committee that will support safety, quality, cost optimization, ensuring supply continuity, and general technical service requests. 
• Act as a packaging liaison between Corporate, R&D, and Factory functional teams providing onsite support for day-to-day operations, new material qualifications, and equipment qualification trials. Provide technical packaging support for root cause analysis and work with packaging material and equipment vendors to improve overall performance.
• Enable manufacturing excellence by supporting, troubleshooting, and problem solving to reduce packaging and processing downtimes and issues.
• Ensure adherence to all packaging standards.  Comply with Nestlé requirements (includes Sustainability, Packaging Safety), external standards, and local regulatory framework.  Participate in the creation of new tracking systems and provide guidance to adherence to the Gerber US packaging road map for packaging sustainability.
• Continuous improvement of technical skills and personal development. Provide coaching & mentorship to others to facilitate personal professional development.
• Ensure that all packaging systems provide adequate protection and preservation of product quality, conform to marketing and marketplace requirements, and are optimized with respect to cost, labor, machinery, handling and transport.
• Provide technical assistance to various internal departments to support business goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with other Nestlé divisions, packaging material suppliers and equipment vendors.

EDUCATION AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

B.S. Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, or similar technical engineering degree.  Position requires approximately 25% travel.

• 2-5+ years of experience preferred in packaging or related field of work
• Experience with a broad range of packaging formats, materials (flexible films, rigid containers, paperboard, corrugate, etc…), and packaging transit performance testing experience is a plus
• Experience in packaging specification development and management within enterprise systems is a plus.
• Willingness to develop and support packaging and processing mastership.      
•  Strong problem-solving skills with ability to coach and develop others.

223800 

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 an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, perceived disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, as defined 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 accommodations@nestle.com or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.