Application Development Engineer (Flexible Packaging)

From a small family business to a multi-billion dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive.

Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.

The Application Development Engineer for the Flexibles Division is one of the main technical contacts between the customer and Sonoco. This position is responsible for development and technical service activity at assigned accounts. The packaging technology team is constantly iterating, solving problems, and working together to develop packaging solutions that are cost-Effective, product-safety complaint, more sustainable, and satisfy customers’ needs.

What you’ll be doing:

• Working closely with the Commercial Team to identify and successfully commercialize flexible packaging opportunities at targeted accounts.
• Leading technical activities to expand sales of existing structures, develop new flexible packaging structures, drive cost savings, and improve product performance.
• Translating customer requirements to Sonoco specifications and develop manufacturing instructions.
• Ensuring portfolio is aligned with the business priorities and the needs of the customer.
• Defining project success criteria, draw conclusions based on data, make technical recommendations, and manage projects. Projects are often fast paced with high visibility.
• Providing routine technical service activity.
• Developing and leading pilot, production, and filling/packing trials.
• Building and maintaining strong technical customer relations.
• Coordinating activities to accomplish tasks using available internal and external resources.
• Preparing written and verbal presentations, project plans, updates, and periodic reports for internal and external use.
• Traveling domestically and internationally to manufacturing plants, suppliers, customers, conferences, and other innovation partners.
• Maintaining complete and accurate work records, to include documentation for intellectual property protection.

This is a 100% remote position with travel required ranging from 20-40%

We’d love to hear from you if:

• Strong material science knowledge (OPP, PET, PE films, Nylon, paper, and foil laminations)
• New product development experience in flexible packaging applications; project management; and developing customer relationships.
• Knowledge of or experience in food packaging such as retort and/or hot fill, hard-to-hold products, coffee, beverage, retail confection, bakery, snacks, frozen food, lidding, portion control packaging, perimeter of the store, or personal care markets would be a plus.
• Bachelor of Science, preferably in Engineering, Food Science, Packaging, or Plastics related field.
• 5+ years in Flexible Packaging Product Development and manufacturing processes. Processes include printing (roto/flexo), laminating (adhesive and extrusion), coating, slitting, pouching and form/fill/seal conversion.

Compensation:

The annual base salary range for this role is from $94,275 to $113,130

An incentive bonus is awarded to eligible employees upon attaining various business and individual goals as defined by the Company and the department leader. This incentive bonus is discretionary, and the Company has sole discretion to determine the amount of the award.