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Employers want flexibility in today's worker--which means you must be able to adapt quickly and successfully to keep pace with changing environments, projects and clients.
By Kathryn Stratton
In today's workplace, where today's technology is replacing yesterday's at a torrid pace, to stay competitive you need to be one step ahead of the game. Employers are seeking out individuals who can manage today's technology and trends, while keeping tabs on what will affect their segment of the industry tomorrow.
Packaging Horizons Magazine questioned leading companies in packaging about how they attract and retain key employees. Human resource managers interviewed also shared their secrets on which candidates have the edge and why. Many times, they revealed, it comes down to how adaptable and successful employees are at handling change, whether in the workplace, with regard to technology or industry in general.
Nabisco Biscuit Co.
At Nabisco Biscuit Co., expertise in flexible films and laminations is "invaluable," says Eva Peters, senior manager, Biscuit Packaging Development. This, along with experience in consumer and food-based product companies, will help you get in the door here.
Good interpersonal skills are also seen as an attribute when joining the Nabisco team. "Our Nabisco culture revolves around teams, so the ability to communicate and function as a cross-functional team member is mandatory," notes Peters. Such skills as leadership, the ability to articulate clearly, presentation-giving, problem-solving and timeline development are all equally important and valued at Nabisco. Applicable computer skills are also required at Nabisco, including a solid knowledge of Windows, word processing, spreadsheets and pallet pattern programs.
Nabisco currently has an ongoing co-op program with major universities offering packaging curriculum, including Clemson, Michigan State, and Rutgers. Peters comments that many of the company's best engineers are recruited directly from these universities.
Once in the door at Nabisco, Peters says an individual must show "enthusiasm, a real willingness to learn and continuously improve," and the desire to do "whatever it takes to make their project successful" in order to move up the ranks. Reiterating the importance of being a team player, Peters notes a "substantial" portion of an individual's performance is based upon feedback from team members.
Gaylord Container
At Gaylord Container, an integrated company that produces corrugated containers, sheets and multi-wall bags, a willingness to adapt and accept "life-long learning" is key to your success. Employees here are encouraged to attend in-house training as well as seek out classes and seminars at local universities to help keep them on the edge of technology.
The Deerfield, IL-based company looks for people who can quickly and successfully adapt to the ever-changing work environment, according to Carol Beaudu, human resource director, West. As head of human resources for Gaylord Container's western plants, Beaudu seeks out people who readily adapt to change. She also sees the profile of a successful employee as someone who "treats their job as if they own the company" and takes great pride in their work.
As in many companies, the work-team ethic is important to an employee's success at Gaylord Container. "What you learn is as important as how much of that you can impart on other members of the team," stresses Beaudu.
Heard many times before at packaging manufacturing sites, candidates here should have a solid knowledge of computer-aided design software (CAD systems). "The drawing board is gone," notes Beaudu, "the knowledge of CAD systems is really required now." Candidates with an affinity for obtaining information from the Internet also have an edge, according to Beaudu. "If you can open your mind to what everyone else is doing and apply that knowledge, it really opens the minds of creative people."
As for recruiting, Gaylord Container takes in both experienced candidates and entry-level recruits. Beaudu states while Gaylord will sometimes hire experienced professionals, students straight out of college are also hired and entered into a design training program where they can learn the corrugated industry.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
As one of the world's leading manufacturers and distributors of pulp and paper, Georgia-Pacific's place in the packaging industry is far-reaching. Within the Pulp and Paperboard Group, employees manufacture corrugated containers, double- and triple-wall boxes, and bulk bins, among many other specialty packaging products. It is here where Vicki Spurgeon, director of human resource operations, Pulp and Paperboard, supports the recruiting process.
Spurgeon stresses that in addition to top technical skills, people coming into Georgia-Pacific should have an "intellectual curiosity about the business" and should be eager to learn and become involved in more than just the technicalities of their jobs. To achieve these ends, Georgia-Pacific has established an in-house training program for employees to learn the ins and outs of the business, including an interactive CD-ROM training program on financial matters at Georgia-Pacific.
To emphasize the value of employees who are directly affecting the bottom line, Georgia-Pacific's incorporates an "Economic Value Added"-philosophy. This corporate ideology challenges employees to ask themselves, "Am I adding value to Georgia-Pacific?" As Steven Church, senior manager, communications, comments, "We don't want a great technical person who doesn't know the business."
As in many companies, Georgia-Pacific takes the teamwork approach to satisfy its customers. Spurgeon sees employees' strength in their "ability and willingness to collaborate with other people, as we work in a lot of team and task force situations."
Georgia-Pacific recruits engineers through packaging universities, co-op programs and internships. An "engineering round-up" also takes place at Georgia-Pacific's Paper Mill Division. This allows qualified, interested engineers to easily meet with representatives from all Georgia-Pacific pulp and paper mills. Once in the company, employees are encouraged to move up the ranks through such employment visibility systems as job openings on its intranet system, an internal internet network.
Kathryn Stratton is a contributing editor to Packaging Horizons Magazine, and Assistant Editor of Packaging Technology & Engineering and Package Printing & Converting.
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