Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

The Hershey Company Reese plant is a Non-Union plant producing products such as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups & Kit Kat, in a high-speed complex environment.

The Plant Packaging Engineer’s primary function is to ensure that the Hershey H.B. Reese plant’s packaging systems are fully operational and reliable as required to support the wrapping and packaging of unpackaged product while adhering to schedule, rate of production, and all quality specifications. In addition, this individual will be the main point of contact at Reese for any packaging related trials and executions at the facility and will provide key input to production feasibility.

Responsibilities:

Packaging Systems Oversight:

• Provide oversight for all aspects of the packaging systems for the H.B. Reese plant. Work with the maintenance department to ensure that the correct asset reliability plans are in place for the packaging equipment in the plant. Work with the production departments to ensure that Process Operating Guides are accurate and up to date. In addition, work with the Maintenance leadership team to update vendor support contracts related to packaging systems to ensure asset reliability and obsolescence avoidance.

Packaging Systems Optimization:

• Provide strong technical leadership and support to Plant Operational and Maintenance staff in troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and optimization of existing packaging systems including engaging with the materials suppliers and optimizing performance on the manufacturing lines.

Capital Project Management:

• Manage capital projects up to $1,000,000 in value for packaging improvement efforts at the H.B. Reese plant. Responsible for developing manufacturing feasibility assessments, capital cost estimates, process system design, selecting equipment, preparing equipment and construction bid specifications, evaluating bids, overseeing installation and start-up of process equipment and systems, troubleshooting, and training of line supervisors, operators, and maintenance personnel.

R&D/Innovation/Continuous Improvement Trial Support:

• Act as main point of contact for the Reese plant regarding testing efforts for R&D, Innovation, and Continuous Improvement trials, whether led by corporate counterparts or driven by Reese team. Oversee review/approval of the Trial Protocols and die lines and drive engagement from Reese team counterparts to review risks and contingency plans, schedule considerations, and impact on production lines/outputs.

Packaging Documentation:

• Ensure that all packaging related documentation is accurate and up to date. Documentation is to include layout drawings, elevation drawings, equipment manuals, job safety analysis, and process operating guides.

Packaging Materials Oversight:

• Provide technical expertise to ensure that all new packaging materials introduced through the PCM process are properly designed to operate on existing packaging equipment.
• Collaborate with operations to ensure TOPS reports/packaging details are available for new product releases.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:

• A combination of knowledge, experience, and proficiencies in packaging systems for the food or pharmaceutical industries applicable to Hershey packaging systems, construction practices, standards, and codes to support manufacturing and provide a competitive business advantage.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of Engineering fundamentals. Possesses a working understanding of Packaging Engineering required to design, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot packaging systems and their components (primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging). This includes GMP’s, layout optimization, ergonomics, and equipment safety, and an understanding of common packaging materials used in the food packaging industry.
• Sound judgment providing technical analyses, developing alternatives/recommendations (cost estimates, feasibility, specifications, and interpretation of requirements), understanding and proficiency in the development of engineering solutions with the ability to effectively communicate and build consensus cross-functionally on increasingly complex and fast paced projects.
• Ability to communicate and develop relationships with OEM vendors, contractors, internal customers, and all levels of management within the Hershey Company
• Ability to participate in cross-functional Packaging troubleshooting assignments to diagnose root cause issues and provide options for resolution.
• Provide the appropriate level of mentoring and training to team members as well as our manufacturing customer base.
• Ability and willingness to work in a team environment with limited supervision.
• Strong leadership / interpersonal skills, demonstrated willingness to accept new / challenging assignments.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong PC skills

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical/Electrical/Mechatronics) or Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology and / or relative engineering experience within The Hershey Company
• A minimum of 4 years’ experience in a related food or pharmaceutical role is preferred.

Preferred Skills / Requirements:

• Practical knowledge and relevant experience in the areas of Controls and Food Processing Systems preferred and would be considered a plus.
• Prior experience in packaging system design / packaging equipment is preferred.
• CAPM/PMP certification is a plus.
• PE certification is a plus.
• Foreign language (Spanish, Portuguese, Asian languages, etc.) is a plus.

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The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans

If you require a reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact the HR Service Center (askhr@hersheys.com).