Job Description
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Are you looking to be part of a fast-growing global food business with North American operations headquartered in the southern California area? Do you want to realize your ambitions while being part of a principle driven organization that aspires to transform its business through powerful Brands? At LT Foods Americas (LTFA), we have an ambition to become a Food business driven by the 5 principles that underpin everything we do: Business Ethics, Innovation, Ownership, Passion for Excellence, & Customer Centricity. We are seeking associates who want to drive meaning in their work that benefits them, the organization and the world around us. What you get at LTFA is challenging, interesting work with opportunities to grow in the U.S, Europe & beyond. You get the tools you need to do an excellent job and you have smart, motivated people around you to help you do it! It’s about having ideas. And ideals. Being prepared to risk failure because the promise of success means we’ll all be a little better off. It’s that mix of integrity and ambition that makes LTFA such a special place to work. And why working here is always about more than just a job.
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LT Foods Americas (LTFA) is part of LT Foods International, an emerging global food company, with Net Sales in excess of $1 billion globally, operating across a range of categories, including specialty rice, organic foods, and convenience rice-based products. The Company is engaged in milling, processing, and marketing of branded and non-branded basmati and jasmine rice, and manufacturing of rice food products in India & international market. LT Foods has a global presence, including India, the Middle East, the UK, Europe, and the US. Its operations include contract farming, procurement, storage, processing, packaging, distribution, and manufacturing. Its rice product portfolio comprises brown, white, steamed, parboiled, organic, quick cooking brown rice, and ready-to-heat rice. The Company's brands include DAAWAT®, ROYAL®; GOLDEN STAR®; 817 ELEPHANT®, INDUS VALLEY®, ECOLIFE® & GRAPEOLA®.
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Role Summary:
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Designs and executes packaging technology strategies from concept to commercialization, including growth and cost savings initiatives, quality & efficiency improvements, troubleshooting activities and general packaging support, as required. Works with cross functional business partners to develop new packaging and refine existing packaging, implement package specifications, package performance testing, line trials, and coordination of change control documentation.
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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
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Process Improvement and Validation
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- Evaluates existing processes to optimizes and maximize product performance in key areas of palatability, product appearance, product consistency and plant processes during product changeovers.
- Develops and implements testing plans to identify process control for various product types. Harmonizes processing where possible to improve efficiency and minimize potential risk/errors.
- Participates in development of process flow diagrams to outline current and new processes. Partners with operations to evaluate asset throughput rates and identify production limitation and equipment capability.
- Assists in facility design and implementation of new equipment. Participates in calibration of new equipment with respect to metering rates to optimize processing.
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Process Development
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- Screens, summarizes and recommends alternative packaging material, attributes/features and equipment by supplier capabilities and recommend suitable candidates based on research and business need.
- Establishes standards and guidelines for supplier evaluation. Ensure packaging complies with all regulations.
- Evaluates and selects packaging suppliers/vendors; conducts vendor reviews, supports customer and vendor audits.
- Specifies and recommends efficiency tools and test methods to develop and validate packaging structure design.
- Creates packaging related SOPs, work instructions and packaging specifications. Develops technical specifications for both packaging and equipment purchases.
- Maintains accurate and compliant documentation to meet customer requirements.
- Analyzes engineering drawings and specifications of product to determine physical characteristics of item, special handling, environmental and safety requirements, and types of materials required for packaging.
- Provides training for appropriate personnel in manufacturing process who performpackaging related activities.
- Develops, scales-up and commercializes new and refine existing processes to minimize cost,
- Maintains competence in packaging materials and new equipment offerings by attending technical meetings to identify new opportunities with respect to product/process
- Conducts benchmark studies of industry packaging capabilities to identify the most cost effective and efficient approaches for the company.
- Performs other related and assigned duties as necessary.
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Operations and Supply Chain Support
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- Supports supply chain initiatives; including new and alternative packaging suppliers, product integrity, thermal process impact, product oxidation, evaluation of processing parameters.
- Assists in process evaluation testing as required by operations
- Assists in update and refinement of SOPs and work instructions for packaging machines and handling and storage of packaging material.
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Technical Experience:
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- 5-plus years’ experience in the food/beverage industry preferred
- Ability to use AutoCAD software.
- Must have excellent computer skills with respect to the Microsoft Office Suite with advanced level skills in Excel.
- Strong working knowledge of process mapping.
- Strong background knowledge in a variety of packaging materials such as PP & PET films, multi-laminated structures and corrugated boxes.
- Knowledge and experience with the following equipment/packaging processes: Carton and case packers, automatic palletizing, filling and sealing equipment, packaging printing devices, label applicators, e-commerce, flexible and rigid packaging.
- Familiar with Packaging ISO, FDA Design Control or ASTM D6198, CAPA, SCAR, and food audit procedures.
- Training and experience in Lean thinking or Six Sigma/equivalent
- Experience in Design for Manufacturing, FMEA, DOE, and Validations
- Knowledge of Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices.
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Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Paper Science Engineering, Industrial Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
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Experience in commercial manufacturing and process development in the food industry is desirable.