Product Development Engineer

Position Summary:

The Product Development Engineer is responsible for providing technical expertise and supporting the business by developing new products and new applications in flexible packaging. Plan, design, and conduct experiments and trials to develop products that meet our customers’ needs and support our growth strategy.

 Key Responsibilities:

• Support and assist in trouble-shooting and problem-solving related to existing and new products.
• Execute technical developments to grow topline sales and margin expectations aligned with company strategy
• Expand technical capabilities of existing assets while identifying new technologies needed to execute the strategy
• Develop new test methods and product specifications, as needed.
• Provide technical assistance in the implementation of procurement/cost-reduction initiatives.
• Develop and sustain cooperative working relationships within product development, operations, technical, sales & marketing departments.
• Develop appropriate external contacts to maintain awareness of latest and emerging technologies in areas applicable to existing or future businesses.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of industry, markets, and technology trends; identifying threats and opportunities and ensuring business issues are addressed; understanding underlying customer issues and identify approaches to achieve results and solutions.
• Manage an R&D pipeline with established priorities. Track and communicate progress of projects using project management methods, and document results appropriately.
• Support cross-functional product development teams and their progress.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties or functions and may not necessarily comprise all "essential functions" for purposes of the ADA.

Education, Certifications, and Experience:

• Degree in packaging engineering, chemical engineering or related technical disciplines.
• Greater than five (5) years of experience; substitution of directly relevant work experience for education.
• Experience with specialty coatings, materials, and flexible packaging converting equipment is a plus.
• Experience with brand owners and marketing is a plus.
• Currently authorized to work in the US

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement growth strategies, identify new business opportunities, and forecast business goals.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication abilities to articulate the value proposition and engage with stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Tackling challenges head-on and finding innovative solutions to drive business success.
• Action oriented: driving objectives through to completion with a sense of urgency.

Travel Requirements:

The ability to work additional hours during the week, nights or on weekends may be required.  Must have the ability to travel (air/land) 15 – 20% of the time. A valid driver’s license is required.

Physical Requirements:

The ability to work in a normal office environment to include sitting or standing for long periods of time, operating various standard office equipment, carrying paper documents/files, reaching and bending, speaking on the telephone, walking through our manufacturing plant, and wearing required personal protection gear (i.e. hearing, eye and foot protection). 

The ability to wear required personal protection gear (i.e., hearing, eye and foot protection as well as other personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons, etc.); tolerating loud noise (maximum of 95 dB); tolerating extreme heat, cold and dusty environment. 

EOE including disability/veteran