Meaningful Work From Day One:

This position is responsible for the development and execution of Packaging Materials including consulting with suppliers and business partners to develop and test effective design packaging designs that are functional, cost effective, comply with regulations, and fit the project’s brief. Works within operational plans that have short to medium term impact within packaging department initiatives through tactical and operational actions assuring development of material specifications and serving as packaging representative on packaging projects. Utilizes tools such as FMEA, process evaluation, complaint analysis, trend analysis, and advanced engineering skills and knowledge to achieve packaging department objectives and individual goals.

What You Will Do In This Role:

• Collaborate with project initiator to define, understand, and align to project objectives and expectations.

• Design, review, recommend, and test various packaging design proposals.

• Consider various packaging material substrates and structures in the design of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging to minimize material usage and optimize manufacturing and labor efficiencies, while maintaining product integrity and enhancing retail performance and aesthetics.

• Determine impact of new packaging design on existing and new automation systems at manufacturing locations.

• Develop design-of-experiments/test methodologies on packaging materials and structures to determine performance attributes best suited to maintain product quality, integrity, and maximize shelf-life while minimizing costs.

• Evaluate and interpret technical data findings from analytical testing on materials and structure, and clearly communicate results to stakeholders.

• Coordinate and support equipment trials, line trials, distribution tests, etc. to validate new packaging materials and structural designs.

• Recommend best design, align with stakeholders, and execute optimized packaging design solution.

• Contribute to 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.

• Simultaneously manage multiple projects and prioritize work accordingly to meet established and aligned to timelines and deliverables for each.

• Assess and resolve identified packaging design problems and opportunities (i.e.. consumer, retail, distribution, manufacturing performance) on existing items. Work with cross-functional stakeholders to implement design, quality, process, and system improvements as a result of findings to ensure long-term corrective action.

• Develops ideas, concepts, and prototypes to solve problems and meet customer/consumer needs in new and superior ways.

• Identifies and tackles need gaps and opportunities.

• Works with vendors to ensure availability, develops prototypes for approval and prepares all necessary specifications. Recommends vendors and conducts vendor audits as required.

• Ensure all appropriate Brown-Forman and external regulatory consumer safety requirements, & sustainability requirements are incorporated into the design and delivery of packaging solutions.

• Provide commercialization support. Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and

• Supply Chain to ensure all parties have a thorough understanding of order unit, selling unit, palletization, and truck/container loading and guarantee smooth transition from concept to commercialization.

• Work with packaging lab to complete necessary testing of packaging components to ensure no issues in Manufacturing and throughout Supply Chain (internal/external).

• Incorporate consumer and industry research into designs and recommendations. This requires keeping up to date on the latest trends, pricing architectures, and compliance regulations.

• Attends pilot and new production start-ups and has the authority to stop or delay production if package quality specifications are not achieved.

• Serves as primary contact with supplier during new package development.

• Provides suppliers with material requirements and attends initial productions runs.

• Responsible for problem solving processes affecting packaging with production facilities and suppliers to implement solutions to deliver flawless product.

• Provide technical support and integrate packaging product initiatives to the production floor, including equipment and materials improvements. Work closely with teams involved in the implementation processes of product packaging, helping them with any technical guidance and support they may need.

• Initiates testing of new packaging materials and attends production runs to confirm proper adherence to specifications and quality requirements.

• Review label specifications to assure compliance to B-F requirements, TTB requirements, and product requirements compliance

• Investigates new packaging materials and processes for quality improvements or cost savings opportunities.

• Prepares management presentations and leads implementation of approved ideas.

• Responsible for the development, specification and approval of package materials used by Brown-Forman bottling sites and external manufacturing bottling sites.

• Obtains input from various functional areas (Marketing, Design, Production) to develop accurate and functional specifications for bottles, ship cases, closures, and other package materials.

• Lead the BF Packaging Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) analysis process with all Packaging Engineers to ensure completion of all development and qualification testing and documentation.

• Ensure all designs comply to the latest GMP’s, quality guidelines and other internal/external quality related guidelines.

• Plan, conduct and review major trials and new or improved packaging technology developments in line with business and strategic needs.

• Develop understanding of the machine/material interfaces, ensuring optimum solutions are delivered to designated manufacturing locations.

• Executes contingency plans for projects assigned in support of site responsibilities.

• Maintain awareness of industry news and trends regarding structural packaging design, materials, and equipment and present findings to key stakeholders.

• Requires conceptual thinking to understand complex issues and their implications.

• Identify and apply “Best Practices” within the facility or from the broader network.

• Execute trip reports and monthly reporting to capture formal notes on visits to sites.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Travel: Up to 20%

What You Bring To The Table:

• B.S in Package Engineering or advanced engineering degree.

• Project management

• 3-5 years of demonstrable experience within an operations role within manufacturing, packaging functions or external equivalents, delivering or supporting complex projects or new product innovation projects.

• Experience in food, alcohol, packaging, or consumer goods industry highly preferred.

• Continuous Improvement and Innovation mindset with strong communication and listening skills to ensure acceptance and support for these improvement

• Natural ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and processes, and deliver solutions that ensure internal and external stakeholder happiness, with a strong bias for action and the ability to thrive in the “grey”, leading and working in both global, in- person, and virtual teams

• Can-do mentality and Solution minded: take decisive action and deliver solutions to ensure optimizations and flawless product execution.

• A demonstrated practical strong approach to problem solving and project execution, including experience in leading Supply Chain innovations at manufacturing locations, and demonstrable achievements in delighting customers through innovation

Brown-Forman Corporation is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Brown-Forman Corporation to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.

Business Area: Global Supply Chain

City: Louisville

State: Kentucky

Country: USA

Req ID: JR-00006973