Sr. Packaging Engineer
Description

Disclaimer: Please note, if you are selected to have an interview with Thermacell, you will receive an email from our applicant tracking system Paylocity (reply-to-sender@mail.paylocity.com) or an email from a Thermacell.net domain. Be aware of phishing emails/text messages. Thermacell will never text or Skype you about your candidacy or personal confidential information. If you are unsure, please contact careers@thermacell.net. 


THE COMPANY 

Thermacell Repellents, Inc. (TRI) is a privately held company with a mission to liberate people who love the outdoors from the harmful effects of insects. Founded in 1999 and based outside of Boston in Bedford, Massachusetts, Thermacell makes the world’s leading spatial mosquito repellent and targeted tick control solutions.  Dedicated to delivering the best consumer experience, we have an ever-expanding product line for both adventure and home use.  We aim to change the way people repel insects, and through disruptive innovation, strong distribution across multiple retail channels, and a global footprint, our base of users is growing rapidly.   


TRI currently employs 125+ full time employees at our 4 locations Bedford Massachusetts (Corporate HQ), Buford Georgia (Manufacturing & Distribution) Hampton Florida (Science & Research Center).


Thermacell is committed to preserving a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging. The collective sum of our individual differences, knowledge, life experiences, and unique talents represents a significant part of our culture and is the foundation for our accomplishments and impact. We strive to create a supportive community where we all can show up as our authentic selves and are confident and comfortable to be genuine with our teammates in our day-to-day work environment. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, citizenship, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal or local law. 


TRI CORE VALUES:

  • Drive – An optimistic can-do spirit, a passion to delight our consumer, a belief in the importance of determination and the freedom to make a difference.
  • Ownership – We are empowered to take accountability for our contributions and desire to do the highest quality work with responsible urgency to drive business results.
  • Integrity – We will always do the right thing guided by truth and sincerity. We exercise constructive candor and have the willingness to challenge and be challenged in all interactions.
  • Teamwork – The belief that we is greater than me, and with collective brainpower we are better together. We are a community of compassionate support and collective success. We win as one and play hard in celebration together.
  • Evolution – We are committed to continuous improvement, always learning, growing, and adapting to constant change. We seek progress over perfection.

STATUS: Exempt

WORKING HOURS: Typically, between 9-5pm M-F (open to some flexibility)

WORK LOCATION: Buford, GA


POSITION PURPOSE: 

As a Senior Packaging Engineer, you will function as the point of contact for all packaging related activity for both existing product improvements and new product launches at Thermacell. This is a leadership role requiring capabilities in design and development of various types of packaging. You will interact with both internal departments and external resources, identify and implement standards, processes, & procedures, and utilize effective communication and organizational skills to drive activities to successful completion in required timing. This is an excellent opportunity for an energetic and driven individual with the knowledge and desire to make an impact at a company that truly improves people’s lives.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Provide hands on leadership and direction on packaging improvements for both cost savings and environmental sustainability.
  • Ideate, develop and implement packaging solutions that meet the needs of the company, regulatory bodies and customers.
  • Develop and improve department standards and procedures to ensure product performance and formal documentation of test methods and results.
  • Identify, evaluate and select ideal packaging materials, machinery and equipment.
  • Reduce packaging-related costs and improve the efficiency of the product packaging process.
  • Monitor industry trends and innovations to stay updated with best practices and technologies for packaging.
  • Design packaging solutions that protect and preserve products during transportation, storage and handling through specifying packaging materials, configuring manufacturing processes, establishing pallet patterns, designing display elements and packaging materials, working with vendors on design improvements, maintaining packaging specifications, conducting drop/ship tests, executing crush tests and stacking tests.
  • Trouble shoot and problem solve for packaging quality issues and supply chain damages.
  • Collaborate with internal manufacturing teams and external third-party vendors and manufacturers.
  • Collaborate with Product, Science, Regulatory, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Sourcing, Marketing colleagues to develop robust, cost effective and sustainable packaging solutions. 
  • Periodically serve as project manager on new product development projects that require significant collaboration with packaging suppliers throughout the development process.
  • Develop well defined specifications, i.e. packaging specs, finished good specs, customer unit specs, pallet pattern/load diagram specs, in store displays.
  • Drive consistency across the product lines to meet our sustainability goals while improving product quality and reducing cost.
  • Ensure consistency and quality of packaging across the organization.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

  • Lives the core values of Drive, Ownership, Integrity, Teamwork and Evolution
  • Authentic and personable, humble, smart
  • Relentless work ethic juiced by results, not titles or activities
  • Externally competitive, internally collaborative
  • Highly resourceful. Hands-on and practical
  • Chooses curiosity and a commitment to learning over being right
  • Radically candid – always with positive intention
  • Motivated by challenge, resilient in the face of setbacks or adversity
  • Able to critically think and navigate within a variety of ambiguous situations
  • Even keeled energy, brings calm to chaos, low drama
  • Make impeccable agreements, delivers end to end results with excellence
  • Makes high quality data-based decisions with autonomy
  • Unquenchable thirst for learning and self-improvement
  • Effective communicator meeting people where they are
  • Manages multiple, complex, and competing priorities

  

COMPENSATION

Compensation for this position will include a competitive base salary and an annual incentive bonus program-details proved separately. Benefits for this position will consist of vacation benefits at a competitive level & 10 paid company holidays. Additionally, a company shut-down period is offered for one week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. 


We are proud to offer a competitive & valuable benefits package that enables you to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. It includes best-in-class medical & dental insurance where Thermacell pays for 82.5% of the premiums; Thermacell also pays for the first half of your medical deductible through our Health Reimbursement Account. Long & Short-term Disability & Group Term Life insurance (one-time base salary plus bonus up to max) is also available at no cost to you. Forty hours of sick time is also available on your first day of employment. 


Additionally, you will have access to a variety of additional benefits such as vision, supplemental life, critical illness, Medical FSA (Flexible Spending Account), Dependent Care FSA, accident, SecureSave savings account, EAP (Employee Assistance Program), product benefit, wellness benefit, and pet insurance for your furry family members! You can find all the details and additional discounts in our benefits guide. 

You may start contributing to our 401k after completing 30 days of service (enrolling on the first of the following month). You will be eligible for the employer match up to 4% (base salary + overtime wages - subject to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) legal limit) after completing one year of service.  


WHY WORK HERE? 

Fun and casual environment. Disruptive fast-growth company. Thermacell is a consumer products company with a mission to liberate people who love the outdoors from the harmful effects of insects. Thermacell provides zone mosquito protection that keeps mosquitoes up to 15 ft away, stopping them before they can bother or bite you. Thermacell zone repellent technology eliminates the need for messy lotions or sprays, so you and your family are free to enjoy the outdoors, without worrying about mosquitoes or the harm they may cause. 


Awards given to Thermacell include:  Popular Mechanics - Grand Award Winner - Recreation - Best of What's New 2018 New York Times Wirecutter - The Best Mosquito Control Gear for Your Patio or Yard Outside Magazine - Best Car Camping Gear 2018 Backpacker Magazine - Best Backpacking Accessory 2019 Field & Stream “Best of the Best” Award - Good Housekeeping Research Institute #1 Tabletop Mosquito Repellent – LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System - CES TWICE Awards 2022-2021 - Canadian Tire Digital Excellence Award – CES New Tech Award – IDEA Good Design Award – Good Housekeeping Home Products Award - This Old House Editor’s Choice – Time Magazine Best Inventions 2022


Thermacell products can be found at fine retailers throughout North America, Europe, Australia and in over 30 countries around the world. Examples of our retail partners include Bauhaus, OBI, ICA, Bunnings, Coop, Walmart, Amazon, REI, Bass Pro Shops, Home Depot, Lowe's, Canadian Tire, Dick's Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, Target Stores, CVS, Costco, Sam's Club and Bed Bath & Beyond.

Requirements

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

  • Bachelor’s degree in packaging or related engineering fields.
  • Proven track record of multiple successful project launches in the CPG field.
  • 6-12 years of experience in packaging design and development, ideally in a CPG or related industry.
  • Strong knowledge of packaging technology, materials and design principles with knowledge of testing methods, regulations and standards for packaging.
  • Self-starter, independent, and intrinsically motivated, geared towards continuous improvement.
  • Strong creative skills for developing unique packaging solutions using current trends. 
  • Ability to work collaboratively and individually with minimal guidance.
  • Strong communication and people skills; effective in managing relationships both internally and externally.
  • Experience leading sustainability improvements, including through work with supply chain partners.
  • Familiarity with production equipment and manufacturing processes.
  • Understanding of sustainability and environmental issues related to packaging.
  • Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software with strong project management skills.
  • Experienced leadership and project management skills for driving multiple projects to successful completion.
  • Understanding of regulatory requirements related to packaging materials and design.
  • Familiarity with packaging robotics and automation.
  • Experience with packaging-related software.
  • Solid understanding of supply chain principles.
  • Strong project management skills.
  • Experience with environmental certifications.
  • Preference for candidates with experience in
    • Injection molding, manual assembled products or components
    • Knowledge of packaging materials- plastics, corrugate, flexible, rigid, film, resins
    • Knowledge of product display vehicles (Free standing floor displays, sidekicks, trays, etc.)
    • Regulated product categories (FIFRA, EPA, etc.)
    • Amazon ecom packaging requirements (SIOC etc.)
  • Available for 10-20% travel domestically or internationally.