At Graphic Packaging International (NYSE: GPK), we produce the box you may have poured your child's cereal from this morning, the microwaveable tray that heated your lunch, the paper cup that held your coffee throughout the day, and the carrier of those bottles of craft beer you may enjoy tonight! We're one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world's most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet care products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are a team of collaborative, innovative, passionate individuals who are committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. 

With almost 18,000 employees working in more than 70 locations in North and South America, Europe and the Pacific Rim, we strive to be an environmentally responsible leader in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry's best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.  If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we'd love to hear from you. Learn more about us at www.graphicpkg.com. Inspired Packaging. A World of Difference. 

MISSION / SUMMARY

The mission of the Innovation and Design (I&D) organization is to bring forth new packaging solutions through creative structural and manufacturing design, working collaboratively with our customer service, sales, internal graphic designers, machinery and systems engineers, business development team members, market and product managers, manufacturing and quality assurance personnel, key supplier partners and ultimately interfacing with customers to understand their unmet needs, consumer unmet needs, and marketing objectives.

The Structural Design team, within Innovation and Design, is responsible for the development of, and modification to, both new and existing paperboard carton structure designs.  The primary output of the Structural Design team is comprehensive, production-ready one-up drawings, which are ultimately used to design, specify, and procure production tooling for manufacturing of finished paperboard cartons. The secondary output are conceptual one-up drawings that meet and exceed the requirements of the end customer.  The overall Structural Design process is accomplished utilizing ArtiosCAD and SAP software applications as well as sample plotter tables for prototypes.

• 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 platform e.g. Microwave, Zflute, Litho/Micro flute, CPD, Beverage, etc.).
• Accurately finalize one-up carton design specifications prior to release for converting and machinery organizations.
• 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

Teamwork and Coordination of Design Projects

• Coordinate with other designers working on projects
• Complete Carton Design projects while fully coordinating with customer, sales, customer service, manufacturing design, and carton converting groups as required
• 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.

Continuous Improvement Project Management

• Identify and develop Continuous Improvement initiatives
• Drive the development and modification of CAD design standards, tools, processes and training materials
• Assist in development & 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.
• Actively participate in employee certification and re-certification activities (must be certified in ArtiosCAD, Plotter Room, Structural Design I-II, and at least 1 specialty product lines (e.g. Microwave, ZFlute, Fluted, QSR, Detergent, etc.)

Other

• Other duties as assigned.

Graphic Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decision on an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, age, gender or sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, genetic information, disability, veteran/military status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Click here to view the EEO is the Law Poster

Required Skills

• 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.)

• High School Diploma or GED

• HIGHLY PREFERRED:

  • College degree in industrial design, packaging engineering/science or other related field, or equivalent professional experience
  • High-level of mechanical knowledge and aptitude for die cutting, production tooling design, finishing processes, and graphics layout
  • Prior demonstrated experience (1.5-3 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
  • Prior experience with ArtiosCAD and SAP
  • Any level of LEAN / Six Sigma education and experience

Required Experience