Minigrip - SR. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER

TITLE:   Sr. Product Development Engineer

POSITION OBJECTIVE: The core focus of the Sr. Product Development Engineer role is to drive and implement pioneering research and development initiatives, placing a significant emphasis on innovation across various domains, including emerging technologies, data utilization, product enhancement, engineering materials, and advanced manufacturing processes, particularly in the plastics sector. By staying abreast of the latest trends in technology and materials science, the Sr. Product Development Engineer will propel the organization forward, establishing new industry benchmarks and fostering a culture centered around continuous improvement and cutting-edge product development. Responsibilities involve leading the development of new products for our consumer business sector, from concept to commercialization. In this capacity, this position is tasked with driving innovation and facilitating growth by coordinating brainstorming sessions, developing prototypes, and conducting comprehensive analyses to evaluate feasibility and scalability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Proven experience (2+ years) in mechanical engineering, preferably in plastic manufacturing or a related industry.
• Proven experience in new product development within the consumer goods industry, with a focus on plastic bags or related products preferred.
• Strong proficiency in Six Sigma methodologies and statistical analysis tools.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and deliver results on schedule.
• Proficient in CAD and Solid modeling software
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Intellectual property management experience, including filing for patents and conducting patent searches.
• Strong organizational skills, able to handle multiple tasks.
• Willingness to travel to manufacturing sites as needed (10% - 40% travel, international travel possible)

• Ensure consistent, dependable attendance and demonstrate a willingness to accommodate non-standard work hours as necessary.
• Capable of effectively managing job-related stress and fostering productive workplace interactions.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the development of new products for consumer product businesses, from concept generation to commercialization.
• Coordinate brainstorming sessions to generate creative and unique product ideas that address consumer needs and market trends.
• Analyze consumer, market, and industry trends to identify opportunities for innovation and growth.\
• Attend trade shows and industry events to stay informed about emerging trends and technologies in the consumer goods industry.
• Investigate and evaluate new mechanical technologies, machines, and equipment that could improve manufacturing processes, and help integrate them into existing production lines.
• Evaluate existing mechanical designs for plastic manufacturing systems and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance product quality.
• Lead or collaborate on the development of prototypes for new mechanical designs or systems, ensuring they meet performance and safety standards and conduct manufacturing and ROI analysis to evaluate feasibility and scalability of production concepts. 
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for process automation, energy efficiency, cost reduction, and waste minimization in the plastic manufacturing process.
• Actively file for IP protection of innovative ideas for new products
• Regularly perform patent searches to identify potential filing opportunities and monitor competitive landscape.
• Utilize six sigma methodologies and statistical problem-solving tools to drive process improvements and optimize product quality.
• Apply data-driven approaches to identify and address root causes of product and process issues.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including design engineers, production managers, and quality control, to ensure that mechanical systems and designs are aligned with production goals and business objectives.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, from idea generation to product launch, ensuring timely execution and delivery of results.
• Communicate project status, risk, and milestones to stakeholders and proactively address any issues that may arise.
• Be flexible to travel to our manufacturing sites to oversee trials for new or existing product improvement ideas.  Travel may range from 10% to 40% depending on project requirements.
• Perform other duties as requested by management to support the overall objectives of the organization.