Job description

Bringing Home Your Work Never Tasted So Good!

Herr Foods Inc. is the largest privately owned salty snack food manufacturer and distributor in the country, we are based in Nottingham, PA and we think our 1600+ employees are pretty spectacular! We have been committed for the last 75 years to making our Herr’s family business an enjoyable place to work!

We are currently seeking a qualified individual for our Packaging Buyer position, joining our Nottingham, PA team.

BENEFITS :  This position is full-time benefit eligible, elective benefits include:

Medical, dental, hearing and vision insurance.
Opportunity to contribute to a 401k, company profit sharing.
Paid vacation, holiday and sick time.
Paid Employee referral program.

Job Summary

This position is responsible to lead the development of packaging solutions for new and existing products. Responsible to work with cross functional teams to recommend, review, test and identify costs for various packaging design proposals. Identifies and drives opportunities to standardize materials to reduce complexity and enable volume leveraged pricing for packaging components.

Packaging Development

Review internal and external customer data to understand causation of packaging failure or sub-optimal performance and develop/implement corrective actions accordingly.

Work with cross-functional stakeholders to implement design, quality, process, and system improvements because of findings to ensure long-term corrective action.

Develop, review, recommend and coordinate testing of various packaging design proposals with a focus on corrugated box and flexible package designs.

Evaluate various packaging material substrates and structures in the creation of primary and secondary packaging to minimize material usage and optimize cost.

Assist and support operations with technical knowledge for experiments/test methodologies on packaging materials and structures to determine performance attributes best suited to maintain product quality, integrity, and maximize shelf-life.

Contribute to and lead project success through clear written and verbal correspondence and presentations understandable by stakeholders of varying technical & business understanding

Ensure projects remain on schedule by setting achievable expectations, proactively driving tasks for on-time completion, proactively highlighting potential risks to task completion, timely responses to communications, and actively participating in project team meetings.

Develop and maintain a professional knowledge of new and emerging trends in packaging technology.

Identify areas of opportunity to implement new technologies into packaging solutions.

Work closely with procurement to oversee project budgets and forecasting.

Supplier & Internal Relations:
Proactively builds relationships with key stakeholders, including all internal departments (Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Manufacturing) to improve collaboration and customer service/support.

Invests in vendor relationship building to support business operations and at times travels to supplier locations.

Determines which vendors are most qualified to meet the company’s needs for products or services. Diversifies supplier roster to mitigate risk.

Works with management team to ensure that all deliveries satisfy the assigned orders and report any back ordered or missing products.

Negotiates prices with vendors to obtain the best price for products and services and to support company margin initiatives.

Coordinates with other company departments to ensure all purchases meet the company’s needs and certifications. Assesses supply and quality risks with suppliers.

Monitors inventory levels of supplies and works with procurement team to maintain in stock conditions.,

Reviews bids from prospective suppliers to ensure that they comply with company standards.

Reviews proposals from vendors and selects w/consultation from management of those who will receive contracts.

Coordinates with appropriate company employees to draft/execute contracts with suppliers.

Effectively communicates with the management team to ensure all orders are accurate.

Reporting, Analytics & Continuous Improvement:
Assess and resolve identified packaging design problems and opportunities (i.e.. consumer, retail, distribution, manufacturing performance) on existing items.

Collects, analyzes, and interprets various types of data for the business, using varied types of data sets and software, utilizing analytical, statistical, and communication skills.

Research external methods, processes, and software to provide business solutions tailored to new trends, demands, and concepts.

Corresponds directly with clients, project or department managers, and/or business leaders to identify analytical requirements.

Performs routine trend analyses and evaluations.

Analyzes audit findings, identifies trends, and assists in the development of programs to make improvements as required.

Brainstorms and forms effective solutions to business problems.

Monitors corrective action follow-up from audits in business units.

Provides status reports to management, identifying problem areas and verifying compliance.

Delivers quantifiable business documents to executives.

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Packaging or related discipline.

Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) certification strongly preferred.

Certificate of Packaging Science preferred.

Minimum 3 years packaging development experience required. 5+ years’ experience preferred.

Broad knowledge of both corrugated and flexible packaging materials including structures, functionality, and performance of the product.

Experience collaborating in a manufacturing setting preferred.

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)/food and beverage experienced preferred.

Working knowledge and experience in 5s, 8D and Lean Manufacturing preferred. Green belt preferred.

Advanced MS office skills required.

Strong understanding of the value and application of business analytics within an organization with the drive and ability to lead change through the use of people, process, data and technology.

Ability to think strategically from high level with consideration for broader implications of various alternatives.

Demonstrated negotiation skills.

Intellectually curious, desires to be on the cutting edge, inquisitive, continuous learner.

Energetic, proactive, and self-motivated with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” operating style; passion for the success of the Company.

Strong sense of urgency, with the ability to prioritize multiple objectives and meet deadlines.

Proven ability to develop models, including ROI/IRR modeling, to analyze and make recommendations regarding the business.

Ability to break down problems into meaningful parts and come to rational and well-thought-out conclusions and communicate them to a diverse audience.

Ability to gather data from disparate sources, analyze findings and present to make sound business decisions.

In addition to the essential functions listed above, the employee is expected to adhere to the confidentiality agreement, exercise honesty, integrity and respect with all clients and co-workers, maintain a professional appearance and demeanor, demonstrate a positive attitude, communicate effectively with co-workers and clients, work with accuracy, efficiency, and attention to detail, respect the work environment and keep it as environmentally friendly as possible, and exercise initiative to learn new skills and tasks and to help co-workers when possible. Reliable attendance and punctuality are also required. The employee is also expected to perform such other duties, special projects and functions as required from time to time.

Physical requirements and work environment:
Performs work required for this position in an office and manufacturing/warehouse environments.

Remain sedentary for moderate to extended periods of time. At other times, remain active for extended periods of time.

Required to use a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse for extended periods of time.

Ability to lift up to 20 pounds on occasion.

Travels occasionally for conferences, client meetings, information gathering, and the like (possibly up to 15%)

Benefit (Details):
Herr’s is proud to offer a variety of quality benefits and wellness programs where we have been recognized as a 5-time Well Workplace Award winner in the area! Elective benefits include medical, dental, vision and hearing insurance; long term disability, life insurance, accident, hospital and critical illness indemnity plans, and legal plans. The company also provides opportunities to contribute to a 401k, company profit sharing, vacation, sick and holiday pay; EAP services, and tuition reimbursement. Benefits start the first of the month following 30 days of service (unless otherwise noted in plan description).

Any questions about this position or any others, please contact the Human Resources department at 610-932-6500 or recruitment@herrs.com

Herr Foods Inc.is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer M/F/Veterans/Disabilities

#S1

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.

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