Title:  Structural Design Associate Manager

POSITION MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: Principal Duties and Responsibilities: 

Supervision/leadership

• Effectively and efficiently supervise a group of local and remote structural design and material handling direct-reports
• Assume all day-to-day supervisory tasks and responsibilities for the structural design group
• Actively monitor and control back-logs within all CPD Structural Design functions (team and individual designer scheduling, completion of design requests, completion of sample requests, completion of project requests, etc.)
• Implement and fine-tune Employee Development plans and initiatives
• Actively participate in, and contribute to, the I&D Department Leadership Team
• Actively participate in the development, implementation, and fine-tuning of Structural Design processes to drive improvement in GPI’s Voice-of-Customer survey Net Promoter Score (NPS)
• Assist in hiring process for new employees as needed
• Run daily, weekly, monthly and annual reports for the CPD structural design team
• Complete and present monthly score cards to employees
• Complete success factor evaluations for all direct reports
• Conduct department tours
• Coordinate safety training for structural design team

Structural Design and Software use:

• Actively monitor, maintain, and control work schedule and back-log (design requests, plotter sample requests, conversion request, etc.)
• Full understanding and utilization of the Artios CAD system to execute Carton Design tasks to required customer and plant specifications (conceptual designs and production ready).
• Fully apply all GPI Design standards and customer and plant specification formats during Carton Design process for responsible product line (customers and growth platform).
• Accurately finalize one-up carton design specifications prior to release for converting and machinery organizations.
• Understand and effectively apply test procedures for validating performance of packages and features under development. 
• Develops pro-active alternative designs for better form & function, on shelf appearance, sustainability, increased production efficiency, cost savings and/or margin improvement.   
• Uses 2D and 3D conceptualization techniques
• Cut qualifying and prototype samples for customer and testing
• Attend machinery check-out testing, or other design validation testing events, to assess, modify or approve carton designs as necessary
• Complete Quality Checks on designs for Structural Designers I

Teamwork and Coordination of Design Projects:

• Coordinate designer working on projects
• Function as an effective global leader and focal point for design-related detail and general communication. Produce materials to support the communication process when required.
• In-depth interaction with customer representatives during the packaging design process.
• Manage the addition of new customers to team breakdown
• Coordinate conversion activities for acquired companies and new business

Continuous Improvement Project Management

• Identify, develop, and lead department-wide continuous improvement initiatives utilizing both LEAN and Six-Sigma tools, techniques, and methodologies
• Charter, monitor, manage, and complete department-wide continuous improvement projects of varying focus, scope, complexity, and duration
• Drive the development and modification of CAD design standards, tools, processes and training materials
• Fully develop & apply design related documentation, process detail, specifications, and intellectual property protection processes 
• Actively participate in, and contribute to, local Culture Development ideas, initiatives, and activities
• Search out and implement cost saving initiatives

Skill Development and learning

• Train & mentor less experienced designers in Carton Design disciplines and procedures.
• Lead employee certification and re-certification activities

Other

• Other duties as assigned.

Your skills will be developed through the varied experiences you obtain as well as extensive on-the-job training.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

• Required
  • Dynamic, flexible, and personable team player with the ability to participate in team activities to achieve desired results
  • Effective time management and project management skills
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments and meet short deadlines
  • Ability to effectively communicate at all levels within the organization
  • Ability to work independently while supporting team goals and objectives
  • Ability to apply initiative and exercise good judgment when making timely decisions based on data, facts, and experience 
  • Technical and analytical skills
  • Strong visual (2D and 3D) skills, communications, conceptual skills, attention to detail, design sensitivity as well as mechanical aptitude.
  • Highly detail-oriented and focused
  • High geometry and algebra math skills
  • Willingness to learn and to be trained
  • Apply initiative and exercise good judgment when making timely decisions based on data, facts, and experience 
  • Solid computer skills
  • High Proficiency with computer systems:  MS-Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
  • Prior experience with ArtiosCAD and SAP
  • College Degree or equivalent years of service

• Highly preferred:
  • At least one (1) year of supervisory experience, at any level
  • High-level of mechanical knowledge and aptitude for die cutting, production tooling design, finishing processes, and graphics layout
  • Prior demonstrated experience (5+ years) with folding paperboard carton structure design
  • Working knowledge of paperboard substrates
  • Working knowledge of carton structural design
  • Working knowledge of tooling design
  • Knowledge of filling line machinery
  • Any level of LEAN / Six Sigma education and experience