Education Level Bachelor's
Category 1530 - Engineers, all other
Description
Position Overview:
The purpose of the Manufacturing Systems Engineer (Packaging) is to provide support in all aspects of the packaging systems. Provide focus and emphases on continuous improvement of manufacturing and packaging effectiveness along with reliability through the enhancement, development and complete documentation of sustainable processes, practices and support maintenance contained within the technical library. Supplement new technology and process implementation. Develop and/or enhance current operations and maintain technicians training. This role directly reports to the Packaging Department Manager.
The Manufacturing Systems Engineer (Packaging) is responsible for ensuring each contractor/vendor working for him/her within a given department has been properly trained in all food safety, food quality and personal safety requirements including the pre-qualification programs. Although every supervisor and operator is responsible for a crucial part of the company's business, it is the Manufacturing Systems Engineer (Packaging) who is primarily responsible for leadership and integrity.
The Manufacturing Systems Engineer (Packaging) has the authority to take immediate corrective actions when dealing with Food Safety and Food Quality issues and is required to report these issues to the Plant Manager, Packaging Manger, Plant Engineering Manager and/or Quality Manager if further action is required. An assigned qualified employee will fill in for Manufacturing Systems Engineer in their absence.
Principal Duties:
Enhance Packaging Systems Effectiveness:
Implement new packaging technology in addition to existing equipment.
Delivery of new lines/equipment - could include participation in the scope development all the way through the implementation, start up, and validation phases. The project origin could evolve from a multitude of sources, including business initiatives, quality improvements and productivity/cost-reduction activities.
Collaborate with Daisy Brand Production, Engineering, R&D and Quality Departments in order to effectively implement efficient packaging, sanitation, business and/or quality initiatives. Assess and enhance KPI and other target settings.
Leverage best practices for asset utilization, care and operation and capitalize on technologies with cross-functional and cross-plant teams. Enhancement or development of SOPs, TOS, PMs, Safety Procedures, etc., which requires personnel assessment and collaboration with the Packaging Manager(s), Maintenance Manager(s) or their designee, as well as the development of a sustainable auditing process.
Identify key process waste initiatives by seeking out opportunities to eliminate waste in all areas, from raw material and product delivery to the final packaging stage, including sanitation.
Perform, drive and document root cause analyses and corrective action investigations.
Track cost reductions in all process improvement activities, (i.e. equipment MRO spending, materials, utilities, yield, and labor) utilizing tools such as MRO and business financial tracking reports as well as equipment history CMMS reports compared against the expected budget.
Conduct pertinent operations record reviews. Assess deviations using statistical analysis and verify conformance to standards.
Assemble technical information for packaging systems. Review and audit the accuracy of process schematics, standard operating procedures, sanitation pin charts, line design rates (including line equipment design rate reviews) and upstream and downstream capabilities.
Training and Development:
Assist plant leadership in learning the best implementation for new practices and technologies. Validate the learning plans and training needs of packaging and maintenance technicians associated with product and/or process improvements as well as new equipment commissioning.
Quality Control:
Evaluate/determine potential impacts/risks to ideal cottage cheese and sour cream product body and texture that may arise from actual or proposed system change.
Define, document and communicate the scope of projector trials, sample collection processes, lead internal/external testing, assessment and isolation of required variables as well as the interpretation of results. Prepare and propose recommendations along with the sustainability plans necessary for successful fruition of a proposed change.
Document all projects, analyses, and audit-related work requests through the use of OneNote and other formal reporting means. Confer with management, production, and engineering staff to discuss project specifications and procedures.
Qualifications:
BS Science/Engineering packaging engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, chemical engineering, or very closely related bachelors degrees. An emphasis in Packaging Science is preferred. Masters degree is a plus.
The Manufacturing Systems Engineer (Packaging) will have 2-7 years of related experience in a packaging engineering role within the food/dairy industry.
Project management experience desired.
Additional Education/Certifications (highly desired, but not required) - HACCP, USDA, FDA, OSHA, GMP, SPC, Green/Black Belt etc.
Skills:
Flexible/adaptable in various aspects i.e. work task priorities, work schedule depending on projects/tasks demand.
Experience with setting up and developing standards and SOP's in a manufacturing environment.
Passion and analytical aptitude as it relates to continuous improvement, statistics and process control.
Proven track record of working with teams and providing organizational influence and direction.
Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize multiple tasks and capabilities in multi-tasking.
Able to take initiative and work independently.
Able to balance multiple priorities.
Leadership skills.
Logical thought processes and problem solving expertise.
Results-oriented and highly focused on meeting (internal) customer expectations.
Exceptional interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
Excellent computer skills.
Strong work ethic, accountable, mature, and has management perspective.
Excitement for their role or field of endeavor.
Sets and enforces high standards.
Strong sense of right and wrong along with an understanding of corporate accountability.
Team player, readily offers other departments help when necessary.
Approachable, respectful, open and talkative.
Places the personal needs of others above their own self-ambition or corporate ambitions.
Detail oriented, precise, communicates with clarity. Tailors response to askers knowledge.
Enjoys speaking in front of small groups.
Good personal organizational skills and habits.
Patient but proactive.
Experience:
Familiarity with dairy/food plant operations
Familiarity with cultured dairy products, procedures, and equipment
Lean Manufacturing/Six Sigma/Continuous Improvement. Root Cause, TPM, Kaizen, Autonomous Maintenance
Memberships in professional organizations
Company Overview
Daisy Brand is the market leader in two billion-dollar categories - sour cream and cottage cheese. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, we've earned the trust of Americans through consistency and quality across five generations as a family-owned company. Our success has been guided by a simple belief: good food, much like good work, starts with integrity. That mindset continues to shape how we make our products, run our business, and support the people behind the brand.
At Daisy Brand, tradition and innovation go hand in hand. We invest thoughtfully in advancements that strengthen our products and operations, supporting responsible, long-term growth. In 2025, we broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Boone, Iowa, further strengthening our supply chain alongside our established plants in Garland, Texas; Casa Grande, Arizona; and Wooster, Ohio. Looking ahead, our state-of-the-art Innovation Center, opening in 2026, will bring together research, food science, culinary, and technology teams to shape the future of our products. Recent work from these teams includes the development of the squeeze pouch and new line of dips, reflecting an intentional approach to modernization while staying true to the quality our consumers expect.
At the heart of Daisy Brand is its people. The company is intentionally structured to be collaborative and accessible, with an entrepreneurial mindset encouraged at every level. We hire with the goal of building long-term careers and provide an environment where employees are trusted to think critically, take initiative, and continue learning. Growth here isn't accidental; it's actively supported and shared.
To support our employees and their families, Daisy Brand offers a people-first benefits package that includes:
A no deductible, $0 premium option for employee only medical coverage
Access to virtual healthcare and wellness programs
A 401(k) program with company match, plus weekly safe harbor and annual profit-sharing contributions
Company paid short and long-term disability coverage and 2x annual salary in life and AD&D insurance
Four weeks of paid time off, plus 20 hours of floating holidays in your first full year of employment
Annual rollover and payout options for any unused paid time off
Paid time for volunteering and community involvement
Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development opportunities
Fitness and wellness incentives
And more.
Daisy Brand is a nicotine-free company. Daisy Brand is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans and disabled encouraged to apply.
