Requisition ID: 6715

Job Title: Packaging Project Engineer

Job Country: United States (US)

Here at Avanos Medical, we passionately believe in three things:

• Making a difference in our products, services and offers, never ceasing to fight for groundbreaking solutions in everything we do;
• Making a difference in how we work and collaborate, constantly nurturing our nimble culture of innovation;
• Having an impact on the healthcare challenges we all face, and the lives of people and communities around the world.

At Avanos you will find an environment that strives to be independent and different, one that supports and inspires you to excel and to help change what medical devices can deliver, now and in the future. 

Avanos is a medical device company focused on delivering clinically superior breakthrough solutions that will help patients get back to the things that matter. We are committed to creating the next generation of innovative healthcare solutions which will address our most important healthcare needs, such as reducing the use of opioids while helping patients move from surgery to recovery. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, we develop, manufacture and market recognized brands in more than 90 countries. Avanos Medical is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AVNS. For more information, visit www.avanos.com.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The primary purpose for this role as a packaging SME is to lead package engineering initiatives and create strategies for all product categories within Avanos. Projects include supporting business growth, innovation, quality, and cost savings to achieve the Avanos strategic objectives. The position is expected to influence and drive results with Avanos internal cross functional groups, global manufacturing sites, and primary vendors.

This role is a part of the Global Packaging and Labeling team within the Global Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Procurement organization.  Incumbent develops and designs packaging structures and materials for safe shipping, handling and presentation of medical products under varying conditions of climate, environment, and different modes of transportation.  Demonstrates core packaging principles, applies a broad knowledge of packaging and labeling applications in industry and makes packaging technology connections across business platforms. Leads packaging projects of considerable significance or a multiplicity of smaller related projects with internal or external partners or performs as a major member of a team on a very large development project of considerable scope and complexity.

Leads the strategy, development, planning, and execution of packaging and labeling projects. Create project plans and charters, schedules and other projects specific documentation. Expected to assess feasibility, cost estimates, business impacts, and risks. Engage the appropriate leaders in identifying deliverables, resources, milestones, timelines, risks, and mitigation plans to implement across all category business units to achieve the Avanos strategic objects. The position is expected to influence and drive results with Avanos internal cross functional groups, global manufacturing sites, and primary vendors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out all work ensuring effective Safety and Quality attitudes and practices.
• Manage and lead packaging compliance for package design, shelf life, and labeling requirements.
• Represent Packaging in compliance audits.
• Recognized SME who provides technical expertise (coaching) and serves as lead technical resource that can be deployed to address packaging, quality and supply chain/corporate procurement issues as needed.
• Must be self-directed, with the ability to respond to the challenge of resolving day-to-day problems, as well as comprehensive issues by providing long-term solutions through strategic planning.
• Must possess strong organization, communication, technical and interpersonal skills.
• Streamline the development and start-up of new products and packaging and labeling initiatives by leveraging an extensive knowledge base of packaging materials, manufacturing capabilities, and vendor capabilities.
• Key author/contributor for creation/modification of company packaging procedures. Strong analytical problem solving/decision making skills are required.
• Strong ability to perform root cause analysis and other key problem solving skill sets
• Design and execute medical packaging for sterile and non-sterile products to support company growth objectives.
• Develop and implement packaging cost savings initiatives through source reduction, transportation efficiency improvements and the utilization of new packaging technologies.
• Provide packaging support with acquisitions including package validation due-diligence, re-branding and supplier consolidation.
• Lead packaging portion of global manufacturing footprint improvement projects.
• Participate in global packaging vendor selection and qualification by providing professional judgment in the areas of technical competence, process capability, process control, and quality management.
• Develop and execute packaging validation protocols in compliance with EU MDD, EU MDR, FDA, and other global regulatory requirements including IQ/OQ/PQ activities, simulated distribution and handling testing, sterility and shelf life validation.
• Strong ability to navigate key quality processes such as Change Control and CAPA.
• Develop, implement, and maintain packaging specifications, material specifications, label specifications and packaging bill of materials.
• Develop / assess intellectual property including invention disclosures, patent searches, right to practice, and patent filings in support of new package structural designs.
• Responsible for defining budget requirements for specific projects, equipment, etc., and monitors costs for assigned projects.
• Leverage standard practices to minimize waste and enable continuous improvement to drive improved business results, e.g., visual management and value stream mapping.

Your qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Packaging Science or other engineering discipline with package design experience.
• Ability to understand and navigate ISO, ASTM, ISTA packaging standards.
• Working knowledge and experience in the design of sterile barrier systems in compliance with ISO 11607, Part 1 and 2.
• Knowledge of Sterilization processes and packaging.
• Ability to lead complex projects in order to deliver objectives on time and within budget.
• Core understanding of a broad range of packaging materials, structures and processes including thermoformed trays, folded cartons, flexible films, corrugate, foams, and injection molded parts.
• Technical writing skills.
• Experience in FDA regulated industry.

Preferred:

• Experience in the medical device or pharmaceutical industries preferred.

Avanos Medical is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law. If you are a current employee of Avanos, please apply here

Join us at Avanos
Join us and you can make a difference in our products, solutions and our culture. Most of all, you can make a difference in the lives, people, and communities around the world.

Make your career count
Our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of others begins with our employees – through a comprehensive and competitive range of benefits. We provide more than just a salary – our Total Rewards package encompasses everything you receive as an employee; your pay, health care benefits, retirement plans and work/life benefits.

Avanos offers a generous 401(k) employer match of 100% of each pretax dollar you contribute on the first 4% and 50% of the next 2% of pay contributed with immediate vesting.

Avanos also offers the following:

benefits on day 1

free onsite gym

onsite cafeteria

HQ region voted 'best place to live' by USA Today

uncapped sales commissions