Job Description

The Innovation Engineer will support the development and commercialization of sustainable flexible fiber-based packaging solutions (recyclable and compostable) through hands-on product development, laboratory evaluation, quality testing, and customer trial support. This role works cross-functionally with R&D, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams to advance innovative packaging technologies from concept through scale-up and market validation.

Essential Duties and Tasks

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Knows and follows all safety policies and procedures

• Research, design, understand the fundamentals and develop new sustainable flexible fiber packaging platforms. Staying up to date on Recyclable and Compostable regulations and requirements.
• Implement products and structures for new or improved existing products. Follow through from trials to full scale manufacturing.
• Collaborating with global and national brands to develop innovative new product concepts. Identifying new developments and technologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams as well as local product development engineers and material & process suppliers, industry experts, manufacturing, sales, and customers to develop specifications, evaluate, and control properties of substrates, materials and processes
• Supporting the qualification of substrates, development materials, and processes used in the manufacture of products
• Provide technical support in solving product quality problems
• Utilize project management skills and complete cost analysis to effectively drive product development and innovation projects
• Support marketing requests for product performance and technical information
• Support and/or lead customer innovation sessions aimed at developing new product concepts
• Validate materials and processes in accordance with FDA standards
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications, Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree required, preferably chemical engineering, paper/pulp/Fiber science or equivalent combination of education and experience. Post-graduate degree a plus. Statistics and statistical process control training.
• Experience with FDA requirements and ISO standards.
• Solid working knowledge of development processes and related manufacturing.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point), Visio, Teams, and Outlook
• Maintains strict confidentiality and protects privacy of confidential/sensitive information.
• Exceptional time management and organization skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal, written, and presentations) with executive leadership, staff, and internal and external clients.
• Proactive; exercises sound judgment and decision making; able to identify problems and needs and develop solutions and/or options.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Self-confident, self-motivated polished professional who thrives in a challenging, fast-paced environment.

Key Competencies

Ethical Conduct

Problem Solving/ Analysis

Technical Capacity

Communication Proficiency

Flexible

Results Driven

Strategic Mindset

Team Oriented

Work Environment

This role operates in a professional office environment and a manufacturing environment. Employee may be exposed to non-toxic/nuisance smells from chemicals, airborne dust, moving mechanical parts, high noise levels and hot/humid environmental conditions in manufacturing areas. Hearing protection, safety shoes, vision protection, and other PPE as required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands/fingers to type, hold, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Some travel will e required.

Other Duties

Always take ownership, be accountable for your actions, your job and your team. This job description is a tool for you. Other job duties/projects may be assigned to you to meet business needs, this outline is not to be considered a detailed description. Good and reliable attendance, positive attitude and at or above job specific metrics and/or goals will reflect on your annual review.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Statement

ProAmpac provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, federal, or local law. Further, the company takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and employees are treated during employment without regard to any of these characteristics. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.