Packaging Automation Specialist

Position: Packaging Automation Specialist

Located: Dallas, TX

Pay: $60,000-$75,000

Mission of the Role (What you will be doing)

The Packaging Equipment & Automation Specialist reports to the local Sales Manager and serves as a technical and consultative expert on packaging equipment. The role balances hands-on field service—installing, troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining equipment—with direct sales support, including equipment selection, proposals, customer presentations, and demonstrations.

As a key member of the Packaging Automation team, the Specialist partners closely with Sales Representatives and Food Packaging Specialists to recommend equipment solutions, support upgrades and retrofits, and pursue new business opportunities—helping customers improve productivity and reduce downtime while supporting equipment revenue and GP$ goals.

Key Duties & Accountabilities (Primary responsibilities)

Field Service & Equipment Support

• Answer service inquiries and assist customers with equipment-related issues.
• Install, test, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain packaging equipment and machinery.
• Perform routine and preventative maintenance on customer equipment.
• Use diagnostic tools and available equipment information to identify and resolve issues.
• Troubleshoot, repair, or replace defective, damaged, or worn equipment, components, and parts.
• Provide in-house repair and technical phone support as needed.
• Coordinate information between customers, and equipment manufacturers to resolve equipment difficulties in the field.

Equipment Installation & Technical Support

• Plan and modify equipment configurations to meet customer requirements.
• Support equipment upgrades, modifications, and retrofits.
• Arrange and support equipment demonstrations and trial installations.
• Organize and attend Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) for automatic equipment sales.
• Coordinate with OEMs to plan and implement equipment training.
• Facilitate customer training for new equipment installations, upgrades, and retrofits.
• Attend training provided by local technicians and equipment manufacturers to maintain and enhance technical and mechanical skills.

Customer Support

• Gather customer, equipment, and operational information during customer visits to support ongoing service needs and account relationships.
• Prepare service contracts and preventative maintenance agreements.
• Provide technical recommendations to customers regarding equipment solutions.

Sales Support

• Provide technical expertise and consultative support to Sales Representatives and Food Packaging Specialists to support packaging equipment revenue and GP$ goals.
• Prepare and respond to requests for proposals and provide technical presentations addressing customer requirements, including new equipment, equipment upgrades, line layouts, recommended modifications/retrofits, equipment service, and preventative maintenance.
• Identify opportunities for consumables, preventative maintenance agreements, equipment upgrades, and additional services and communicate those opportunities to the Sales team.
• Review equipment quotes prepared by Sales Representatives for technical appropriateness, equipment compatibility, and alignment with approved vendor requirements.
• Identify and support the closing of new business equipment opportunities, including qualifying prospective customers and providing technical recommendations to prospects during the sales process.

Documentation & Administration

• Prepare proposals and related correspondence.
• Maintain thorough and accurate customer and equipment records.
• Use tablet and PC-based Field Service tools for signature collection and transmission of parts and service call information.
• Prepare for customer calls with a professional appearance, necessary tools, and relevant customer and equipment information.

Travel & Field Requirements

• Travel to customer locations within a 300-mile radius of the assigned location, including occasional travel to border cities in Mexico.
• Travel may include extended days and/or overnight travel based on customer and business needs.
• Maintain a professional appearance and represent positively while working at customer locations.

Organizational Core Values (Behaviors and values that are essential to be successful in our environment)

• PEOPLE FIRST – Culture, Trust and Respect. Growth, Development. Collaborative, Accountable, Transparent.
• UNIQUE CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS – Listen, Understand. Innovate. Be Entrepreneurial.
• GROWTH FOCUS – S1 Results Driven. Continuous Improvement. Commercial Orientation.
• PASSION TO SERVE – Responsive to Customers. Servant Leadership. Empathetic, Compassionate, Sense of Urgency.
• AGILITY – Nimble, Flexible, Resilient. Open, Creative. Embrace Change.

Educational/Training Requirements/Experience (What your background should look like)

Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in field service, industrial equipment maintenance, or a related technical field.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting mechanical and electrical problems in industrial equipment.
• Experience reading mechanical blueprints and electrical schematics.
• Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose equipment issues based on customer descriptions and available technical information.

Preferred

• Associate's degree or technical certification in electrical, electronics, industrial maintenance, automation, or a related field.
• Experience working with packaging equipment.
• Technical training or education in electricity, electronics, industrial equipment maintenance, or a related discipline.
• Experience troubleshooting Allen-Bradley PLCs.
• Experience with PLC logic development or programming.
• Experience working directly with customers in a field service or technical support environment.

Minimum Skills, Knowledge & Ability Requirements

• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills.
• Proficient in reading mechanical blueprints and electrical schematics.
• Self-starter who is comfortable working independently and with customers to troubleshoot and resolve problems.
• Ability to diagnose and solve problems based on customers' non-technical descriptions.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn and use field service technology.
• Ability to use tablet and PC-based Field Service tools for service documentation, signature collection, and parts/service call transmission.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong team orientation and commitment to quality.
• Demonstrated initiative in professional development and willingness to learn new equipment and technologies.
• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to identify customer needs and provide appropriate technical solutions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Sales Representatives, Food Packaging Specialists, OEMs, and customers.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet driving requirements.
• Ability to travel extensively within the assigned territory.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, and work in confined spaces as required.
• Ability to work around industrial machinery and equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry tools, equipment, and parts as required for the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to safely perform job duties at customer facilities and industrial environments.

The final base pay offered to the successful candidate will be determined by factors such as work location, job-related skills, qualifications, experience, responsibilities, and relevant education and training. In addition to our compensation, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including the following:

· Bonus based on company performance

· Medical, dental, and vision insurance

· 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match

· Paid time off (including vacation, company holidays, and parental leave)

· Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

· Other benefits such as life insurance, disability coverage, and wellness programs