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Product Innovation Specialist

Location: 

Wisconsin, US

Req ID:  8866
Date:  Jun 18, 2026

Krones designs, develops, manufactures, and installs both machines and complete packaging lines.  We have become one of the leading system suppliers for breweries and beverage producers as well as for the food, chemical and cosmetics industries.  Our 20,000 employees worldwide strive for innovation and detail and ensure that each customer receives the best quality in product and service.

We are currently looking for candidates who want to make a difference and who wish to be part of our dynamic organization in the US. Krones Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Description

This role is based out of Krones INC (Franklin, WI) and works directly with customer Maintenance Managers, Reliability Engineers, and Senior Maintenance Technicians to identify equipment challenges, recurring failures, maintenance inefficiencies, and opportunities for product improvement.

Through extensive customer engagement, plant visits, and field observations, this position gathers and translates customer feedback into actionable product improvement initiatives. The role partners closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Service, Sales, and Global Product Management teams to develop, validate, and commercialize redesigned aftermarket components and solutions that improve equipment reliability, reduce maintenance costs, increase uptime, and create value for customers. The position is responsible for leading customer-driven innovation efforts from problem identification through product launch while ensuring customer needs remain at the center of product development decisions.

Responsibilities

Customer Voice & Field Intelligence

  • Conduct regular customer site visits throughout North America to observe equipment performance and maintenance practices.
  • Build strong working relationships with Maintenance Managers, Reliability Engineers, Maintenance Supervisors, and Senior Maintenance Technicians.
  • Facilitate structured Voice of Customer (VOC) discussions to identify recurring equipment issues, maintenance challenges, and product improvement opportunities.
  • Collect, document, and prioritize customer feedback regarding reliability, maintainability, serviceability, and operational performance.
  • Translate field observations and customer feedback into actionable engineering requirements and business opportunities.

Product Improvement & Reliability Enhancement

  • Lead customer-driven product improvement initiatives focused on increasing equipment uptime, reliability, and ease of maintenance.
  • Work directly with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to evaluate design changes and improvement opportunities.
  • Identify components that experience excessive wear, frequent replacement, difficult installation, or operational challenges.
  • Develop business cases for redesigned or enhanced aftermarket products.
  • Coordinate prototype development, field trials, and validation testing with customers.
  • Monitor product performance after implementation and gather feedback for continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Serve as the liaison between customers and internal stakeholders including Engineering, Manufacturing, Service, Sales, Supply Chain, and Global Product Management.
  • Ensure customer priorities are clearly communicated and understood throughout the product development process.
  • Facilitate cross-functional teams focused on solving customer reliability and maintenance challenges.
  • Drive timely execution of product improvement projects from concept through commercialization.

Qualifications/Experience

  • 10+ years working with industrial equipment, maintenance, manufacturing, service, engineering, or reliability functions.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
  • Self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit.
  • Ability to read technical drawings, understand machine assemblies, and discuss design improvements with engineers.
  • Ability to earn credibility with experienced maintenance technicians and plant personnel.
  • Experience identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
  • Builds strong customer relationships and trust.
  • Detail oriented, very structured and organized ways of working.
  • Knowledge of equipment reliability, maintenance practices, and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Ability to communicate technical issues effectively to engineering and manufacturing teams.
  • Comfort traveling extensively (80%) and working directly in production environments.

Krones , Inc. offers an outstanding opportunity to be involved with and challenged by leading-edge technologies, further career opportunities to learn and develop skills, a flexible work schedule and a competitive salary and benefits program. Our Krones Benefits program includes a generous health/dental/vision package, and 401(k) program in addition to other benefits. Please submit your resume.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws, view posters linked below: 

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) poster; Know Your Rights Poster; E-Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish

A world leader in the processing and packaging industries, KRONES works with some of the largest beverage, food, and consumer packaging brands in the world. With projects ranging from planning and installing fully integrated processing, packaging, and bottling systems to replacing or upgrading individual machines, your work will make a difference by helping deliver vital products to the world.

As a Krones employee, you’ll experience the positive impact of Krones culture from day one. Whether you work on the production floor, in the office, or out in-the-field, Krones strives to create an inclusive environment where all team members feel supported and valued.

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