Structure & Design Specialist - Folding Carton / Packaging
17 days ago
Knoxville
Job DescriptionBenefits: • 401(k), • Bonus based on performance, • Competitive salary, • Dental insurance, • Health insurance, • Opportunity for advancement, • Paid time off, • Training & development, • Vision insurance Company Accurate Paper Box is a privately held business located in Knoxville, TN, and serving the Southeast and Midwest. We manufacture and design folding cartons and related paperboard products to meet a variety of customer needs. Job Summary The Structure and Design Specialist plays a critical role in translating customer concepts into manufacturable, high-quality folding carton solutions. This role requires both technical knowledge of packaging substrates and production capabilities, as well as creative design acumen. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in structural packaging design, with a focus on folding cartons, and a bachelor’s degree in packaging, industrial design, or a related field from a reputable university. This position collaborates cross-functionally with sales, production, and prepress to deliver innovative solutions that align with customer expectations and Accurate Paper Box’s standards for quality, efficiency, and performance. Responsibilities • Design and engineer folding carton structures using ArtiosCAD and related design software, • Create, modify, and manage dielines to meet customer requirements and ensure production feasibility, • Collaborate closely with Sales and Customer Service to understand project goals, budgets, and technical constraints, • Lead sample creation and mock-up development using cutting table (e.g., ZUND) for customer presentations and approvals, • Work with Prepress to ensure clean transitions from structural layout to press-ready files, • Proactively assess manufacturability and recommend substrate or finishing alternatives as needed, • Attend customer meetings (onsite and virtual) to review structure performance, provide recommendations, and help close business, • Maintain organized records of design iterations, customer specs, and final approved files, • Stay current on packaging trends, material innovations, and sustainability practices, • Support Quality, Operations, and Sales teams in cost-reduction initiatives through smart designPeople and Culture, • Act as a thought leader and collaborative partner in internal design and innovation efforts, • Promote a customer-first attitude across teams by developing purposeful and production-smart design solutions, • Participate in project kickoff meetings and bring a solutions-driven mindset to every phase of design, • Mentor junior designers or interns as needed to help foster technical growth within the departmentCritical Skills / Capabilities, • Technical & Structural Thinking: Deep understanding of board grades, folding mechanics, die-cutting, gluing, and press constraints, • Creative Problem Solving: Ability to balance visual branding needs with efficient design for production, • Attention to Detail: Precision in dieline layout, measurement, and fit; ability to preempt issues before production, • Communication: Translate complex design concepts into understandable terms for non-technical stakeholders, • Time Management: Prioritize multiple design projects to meet fast-paced customer deadlines, • Decision-Making: Make timely decisions based on both creative instincts and production know-how, • Software Skills: ArtiosCAD (required), Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook), familiarity with ERP/MIS integrationExperience, • Required: 5+ years of structural design experience specifically in folding carton or related packaging, • Preferred: Experience collaborating directly with customers and production for custom packaging solutions, • Preferred: Familiarity with ZUND or similar sample table systemsEducation, • Required: Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Science, Industrial Design, Structural Design, or a related discipline from an accredited universityBenefits/Perks, • Competitive Salary, • Performance-Based Bonus Opportunities, • 401K, • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, • Career Advancement Opportunities, • Supportive team environment with a focus on quality, innovation, and continuous improvement