Job Description

Packaging Engineer – (Decatur, IL or ADM Packaging Site)
This is an exempt, salary-level role
This position reports to the Director of Global Packaging.

Travel: 25–50%

Location
This role can be based in Decatur, IL or any ADM U.S. location with packaging operations, with primary support across the Midwest and Eastern regions.

Key packaging facility locations include:
Cedar Rapids, IA | Clinton, IA | Buffalo, NY | Erlanger, KY / Cincinnati, OH | Kennesaw, GA / Atlanta, GA | Kansas City, KS | Jackson, TN | Southport, NC | Quincy, IL | Harvard, IL

The Packaging Engineer is a hands-on, technical support role focused on troubleshooting packaging equipment, optimizing production processes, and improving performance across packaging lines. You’ll support capital projects, quality and safety engagements, equipment installations, and process improvements while leveraging data, KPIs, and Performance Excellence tools to drive efficiency and cost savings.

This role sits within the Packaging Technology Center as part of the Operational Transformation team, serving as a key link between global standards and plant-level execution across ADM’s business units.

In this position, you’ll partner cross-functionally with operations, engineering, procurement, and commercial teams to drive continuous improvement, implement best practices, and deliver measurable value across packaging systems, equipment, and materials.

Success in this role depends on the ability to solve problems in real-time, work closely with plant teams, and implement sustainable solutions across a variety of packaging formats and operations.

ADM’s packaging footprint is highly diverse. On the dry side, you’ll work with multiwall bags, drums, totes, pouches, and boxes. On the liquid side, you’ll support systems involving PET, glass, Jerry cans, aseptic/UHT, bag-in-box, and HDPE containers.

Position Responsibilities

• Providing technical leadership on packaging equipment selection, materials, and system optimization across dry and liquid packaging operations
• Monitoring production processes and troubleshooting packaging equipment — identifying root causes and implementing sustainable corrective actions
• Supporting capital and non-discretionary expense (NDE) projects, including equipment installation, modifications, and training at startup
• Developing and deploying packaging best practices, standards, and performance guarantees across your region and globally as applicable
• Using KPIs and metrics to identify improvement opportunities and track value creation
• Writing technical reports following plant visits and following up on action items
• Managing and prioritizing a pipeline of packaging savings and improvement projects aligned with strategic sourcing goals
• Supporting packaging materials specification, testing, and analysis
• Partnering with suppliers in coordination with Strategic Sourcing
• Identifying opportunities to digitalize performance metrics
• Coaching and developing fellow team members; contributing to a culture of shared accountability and growth

Position Qualifications:
Required:

• B.S. in Engineering, Packaging, or related field
• 4+ years of direct packaging experience in manufacturing
• Experience working in or closely with plant operations
• Ability to troubleshoot packaging equipment and implement sustainable corrective actions
• Experience optimizing and operating packaging equipment
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Organized, detail-focused, and methodical approach to problem solving and execution
• Hands-on, practical approach with demonstrated technical proficiency
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Strongly Preferred:

• 8+ years overall operations experience
• Capital project or equipment installation/startup experience
• Continuous Improvement / Lean / Performance Excellence
• Experience in food, ag, chemical, or industrial environments

Physical requirements
This role involves regular presence in plant environments. You should be able to:

• Lift and carry materials up to 30 lbs frequently, up to 50 lbs occasionally, and up to 55 lbs overhead on a limited basis; assistance is available and encouraged for lifts over 50 lbs
• Move throughout a facility, including traversing up to 2 miles over the course of a workday
• Stoop, bend, kneel, or squat as needed; work may include periods of prolonged sitting or standing
• Work at varying heights, including on ladders or scaffolding, and operate manual and electrically powered tools and test equipment

Relocation assistance is available with this position within North America.

This position does not offer visa sponsorship.

Before applying for an exempt, non-exempt or hourly job opportunity, you are expected to initiate a discussion and share your intentions with your supervisor. * If you’ve been in your current position for more than 18 months, supervisor approval is not required. * If you’ve been in your current position for less than 18 months, verbal supervisor approval is required.
​Hiring Manager- Ashwin Patel ​
Recruiter- Rebecca Klump

City

Decatur

State

IL - Illinois

Location Country

United States

About ADM

At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We’re a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.

Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.

If hired, employees will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

The pay range for this position is expected to be between:

$92,800.00 - $174,000.00

Salaried Incentive Plan

The total compensation package for this position will also include annual bonus and a long-term incentive plan