POSITION SUMMARY:

The Project Manager provides leadership, coordination, and oversight for all projects related to all aspects of product (cups/lids) development and plant engineering. The Project Manager delivers new and existing products from concept to launch following Polytainers’ Concept to Green Light (CtoGL) process and New Product Development Process (NPDP). The incumbent is responsible for managing a wide variety of molding and engineering projects from end-to-end ranging from equipment installations, cost benefits projects, product design enhancements, and a wide variety of other projects. Some travel may be required for this position.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITES:

Product Development for New and Existing Products

• Manage product opportunities, deliverables, packaging requirements, costing, and quoting for each project phase in conjunction with Sales, Business Development, and Account Management.
• Oversee and deliver detailed drawings and Design Input Worksheet for product changes and additions in conjunction with Account Manager.
• Value engineer existing or new products (cups/lids) to function on existing or proposed filling systems while adhering to the customer’s marketing and sales objectives.
• Identify materials and additives for the purposes of costing and customer information.
• Provide input data to the Finance Department for accurate costing of new products and/or processes or part design changes.
• Upon Green Light ensure the smooth transition of a product opportunity into the launch phase utilizing the New Product Development Process (NPDP).
  
  

Project Management

• Manage projects from Green Light to Launch consistent with NPDPm, including completing project contracts, timeline, budget, Action Register, and CAR.
• Establish project teams and oversee all project activities, deadlines, budgets, documentation, and communication to senior management and the project team.
• Provide detailed drawings to suppliers to facilitate quoting, design and manufacture of complete molds or stacks only and unit cavity molds.
• Coordinate mold and system design reviews and provide final approval and ensure all issues are documented and actions addressed.
• Ensure that Preventative Maintenance procedures for new product/processes are developed, applicable and can be supported by Operations in coordination with the Process Engineer
• Manage the development of specifications for new products.
• Co-ordinate product approvals and sign-offs from internal stakeholders
• Escalate to the Director of Engineering when actions, events, etc., jeopardize the timely and successful launch of a new product.
• Upon project completion provide actual input data to the Finance Department for analysis and comparison to original costing inputs.
  
  

General Documentation and Communications

• Provide written Trip Reports to support sales, customer visits, product launches, and marketing efforts.
• Document and distribute Meeting Minutes for all product development and product launch projects.
• Provide Team, Customer and Management Project Status Updates as defined in the Project Contract
• Execute processes related to Product Change Notification (PCN) system.
  
  

Supply Management

• Source and research, and provide purchasing input for suppliers as to support Purchasing, Sales or Operations.
• Determine costs and delivery of project-related equipment, molds, materials, and purchases and present findings to senior management for approval.
• Coordinate the delivery and qualification of purchased project equipment, molds, materials, etc.
• Ensure suppliers meet their contractual requirements and provide the appropriate levels of support to the company.
• Provide input to key suppliers on an as-needed basis as part of the process of designing and developing new molds and/or technologies.
  
  

Technical Support

• Contribute to Continuous Improvement Projects and support Account Managers by providing product technical information to Sales and/or presenting to customers.
• Investigate and identify root causes and provide solutions to internal and external customers’ complaints as required.
• Stay abreast of technical developments in key manufacturing processes (including injection molding, thermoforming, IML, shrink sleeving and dry-offset printing).
• Develop understanding of rigid plastic thin-wall packaging industry including Polytainers’ key customers, suppliers and competitors.
  
  

Required Skills And Experience

Educational Requirements:

• Post-secondary education, preferably in food safety, quality or printing technology.
  
  

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum 3 - 5 years of technical experience in a fast paced, high volume lean manufacturing environment. Experience in injection molded plastics and/or food packaging industry preferred.
  
  

Additional skills:

• Good PC skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Proven track record working with people and problem resolution and strong interpersonal, collaboration skills.
• Proven ability to root cause and determine permanent corrective actions and general knowledge of injection molding and thermoforming processes.
• Effective planning and organizational skills and ability to manage significant workload including conflicting priorities.
• Proven ability to deliver results.
  
  

Polytainers is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Polytainers is committed to diversity and inclusivity in employment and welcomes applications from qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds. Polytainers is also committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.