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.