Continuous Improvement Specialist

Associated Packaging is looking for amazing and talented people like you! Join our team today and become part of one of the fastest growing companies and industries in the country. Employees of Associated Packaging, Inc. enjoy an energetic and people-first company culture. We are excited to offer a premium benefits package including PTO, Employee Assistance Programs, 401k matching, Health Insurance, Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, and much more!

The Continuous Improvement Specialist spearheads the work of envisioning and equipping the sales organization to fulfill its value-driven mission. Associated Managed Packaging (AMP) is the program and branding for this work. The Continuous Improvement Specialist will lead continuous improvement audits on-site at our largest customers, working with the respective Sales VP's, Sales Professionals, and Subject Matter Experts. The Continuous Improvement Specialist is the standard bearer for moving the branches and salespeople forward, from transactional selling to large-account, value driven selling.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Introduce the AMP program, process, and messaging to customers in order to secure an on-site packaging assessment.
• Assemble and lead teams of professionals from our organization in on-site Packaging Assessments.
• Draw out the best ideas after the assessment -- from the team and from your own knowledge and experience -- to develop a presentation of potential changes, improvements, and projects.
• Create and present these broad-brush concepts to the customer and help the customer to determine which ones are the highest and most urgent in benefiting their organization.
• Guide the team in developing formal proposals and cost justifications for the customer-selected projects.
• Lead formal business reviews at a cadence of the customer's choosing, highlighting the successes from the prior period, and addressing any shortfalls. This process earns the right to request additional projects, thus improvement is continuous.
• Grow sales revenue, profitability, and market share of Value-Driven sales, reporting results to Senior Leadership at API.
• Collaborate with Senior Management, Sales VP's, and Sales Professionals as you message and champion AMP, helping to coordinate personnel for optimum effectiveness.
• Share successes and herald the benefits of a value-driven approach.
• Champion Lean Assessments, Value Creation expressed in Cost Justifications, and Business Reviews within the sales community.
• Speak and lead discussions at National Sales Meetings, Manager Meetings, and VP Meetings.
• Lead Sales Training Events to better educate and equip the sales force.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Education and/or Experience:

• An advanced degree or technical certification is preferred such as Six Sigma green or black belt. Possesses requisite experience in business.
• The rigorous skills, qualifications and knowledge required are ideally reflected in 15 to 20 years of experience in the packaging industry, with both direct sales and management experience.
• Has successfully worked in B2B, large account, industrial selling situations.
• Has successfully managed people or sales teams demonstrating growth, leadership, and relevant experience.

Competencies:

• Understands key packaging processes and machinery.
• Possesses broad knowledge of packaging consumables, especially, shrink film, stretch film, poly bags and flexible films, packaging tapes, strapping, labels, glue, cartons and corrugated.
• Competent to assess a packaging production line, to identify its strengths and weaknesses, and recommend cost savings and improvements.
• Demonstrates experience with packaging in these vertical markets: Food, Beverage, Manufacturing, eCommerce, Distribution, Medical, OTC/Pharma, and Contract Packaging.

• Ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally.
• Ability to organize workload, adapt quickly to change, and deliver under the pressure of deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 programs including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams.
• Strong computer skills and ability to learn new software applications.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions. On-site packaging assessments require travel every two to three weeks, usually to multiple sites on the same trip. Using Teams and video is encouraged. Remote work is possible, but likely you will be more effective working closely with one of our Branch locations, e.g., Dallas, Memphis, Nashville, Louisville, Atlanta, etc.

Why work at Associated Packaging, Inc.?

Longevity - Associated Packaging, Inc. has been providing packaging solutions for companies since 1977.

Stability - Even during times of recession and economic uncertainty, Associated Packaging, Inc. has remained financially strong and experienced tremendous growth.

Customer Service - We focus on partnering with our customers to find and maintain the best solution possible for their packaging needs. Our customers consider us problem solvers and profit enhancers.

Our People - At Associated Packaging, Inc., people are our greatest asset. We value each employee and know that great success comes from a great team.

Associated Packaging, Inc. is committed to being an inclusive employer where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and partnership status, pregnancy and parental responsibilities, race, religion and belief, sex, or sexual orientation.