As a Packaging Engineer, reporting to the Packaging Manager, you are an essential contributor to new product development, quality improvement, and cost savings for Client’s packaging portfolio. With a focus on sustainability, you will have the opportunity to work on many different packaging formats. You will support and lead packaging-driven projects, support trials and/or start-ups, and perform hands-on package testing & prototyping in our state-of-the-art labs and pilot plants. Each engineer owns their space/brands while working cross-functionally with our internal and external partners.

Client's R&D facilities in Chicago are state-of-the-art, including dedicated packaging spaces for ideation, design, and prototyping. Engineers have the ability perform in-house package testing and physical prototyping to bring new innovations to life utilizing our top-of-the-line equipment within our labs and other spaces.

What you'll do in this role:

·         Independently lead the technical delivery of multiple standard projects.

·         With guidance, support highly complex technical projects.

·         Serve as a subject matter expert in selected packaging technology and educate packaging staff on such technology.

·         Provide support to designated business groups to resolve packaging issues.

·         Work directly with business partners (Brand, Finance, etc) and RQI peers (Product Development, Quality, etc) on assigned brands.

·         Coordinate and execute experiments, as well as plant trials; prepare results in technical reports, both written and oral, for review with minimal supervision.

·         Interpret, develop, and issue technical specifications.

·         Maintain awareness of technical trends and developments in the packaging industry.

·         Participate in brainstorming and information gathering efforts for resource planning process as needed.

·         Collaborate with Consumer Insights on testing of new package ideas.

·         Maintain strong communication with Operations, Brand Management and Procurement, updating them on projects regularly.

·         Gain familiarity with fiscal and strategic plans of team.

·         Be aware of project tasks and how they impact the project budget.

·         Contribute as needed on cross-functional teams.

·         Support technical delivery of base business and high complexity projects.

·         May manage smaller projects independently.

·         Participate and execute experiments in plant trials.

·         Prepare and present results of technical report to supervisor, both written and oral.

·         Interpret, develop, and issue technical specifications.

·         Acquire working knowledge of the packaging principles and operating systems for assigned platform.

·         Maintain awareness of technical trends and developments in the packaging industry.

·         Awareness of project tasks implications to budget.

·         Gain familiarity with fiscal and strategic plans of team.

·         Contribute as needed on cross-functional teams.

What you'll need to be successful:

·         Bachelors in Packaging, Engineering or related field

·         Minimum of 2 years work experience in packaging industry, CPG preferred.

·         Solid understanding of packaging materials capabilities and equipment.

·         Knowledge of test methodology.

·         Strong ability to collaborate and maintain cross-functional partnerships.

·         Strong analytical and logical problem-solving abilities.

·         Developing troubleshooting skills with ability to “think on your feet.”

·         Understanding of business principles.

·         Financial understanding to optimize profitability.

·         Advanced verbal and written communication skills.

·         Ability to travel up to 20 - 40% of time. Must be able to travel independently and as a responsible Company representative

·         Proficient in Microsoft Office.