Title:  Project Engineer (Functional Barrier)

MISSION / SUMMARY: 

The Project Engineer position is a position at GPI’s Foodservice Technical Center with responsibilities for leading and supporting new material and functional barrier development projects to support GPI’s sustainability goals and ensure GPI’s competitive advantages on sustainability and compliance. The candidate needs to combine technical expertise on functional barrier/converting with project management skills to lead the introduction of new material/functional barrier into GPI’s product pipeline, lead pilot runs and support production scale up. The position is part of a world class talented engineering & technical team at GPI’s Foodservice Technical Center and will report to the Senior Manager, Research & Development.

JOB FUNCTIONS: Job functions include but are not limited to the following:

• Lead new material and coating related projects. Combine technical expertise on coating/converting with project management skills to lead the introduction of new material/coating into GPI’s product pipeline.
• Understand holistically the supply market and competitive landscapes in the U.S. and globally for compliance packaging.
• Identify and communicate with material suppliers. Lead extrusion and dispersion coating trials at internal or external locations. Evaluate material runnability at extruder/coater.
• Coordinate lab and other evaluations on coating materials and coated boards. Provide recommendations on converting trial and potential risks & mitigation plans.
• Lead printing and converting trials either in the manufacturing facilities or on pilot lines.
• Support product commercialization.
• Provide detailed technical reports and document all work to pursue intellectual property.
• Report out project progress and provide recommendations to internal and external stakeholders and lead teams.
• Other duties as assigned. 

BACKGROUND / EXPERIENCE:

• 8 years relevant experience in application or analysis of functional barriers for packaging industry, cup/carton industry preferred.
• 5 years relevant experience in technical project management.
• Experience collaborating directly with suppliers, manufacturing facilities, and customers from project start to finish. 

EDUCATION / KNOWLEDGE:

• BS degree in chemistry, material sciences, polymer science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field is required.
• Post-graduate course work in a STEM field is a plus.
• Experience with functional barriers, bio-resins, extrusion, or dispersion coating is required.
• Experience with cup converting functional barriers for cups, cartons and paper making is a plus.
• Technical project management skills.

SKILLS:

• Ability to plan and execute DOE.
• Ability to overcome technical challenges in the development of new materials and processes to commercialize new foodservice packaging.
• Must have demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to drive multiple concurrent assignments to completion. 

SCHEDULE DEMANDS:

• General schedule is an 8-hour M-F assignment, however, employee must be willing to work alternate schedules occasionally; that may include early mornings, nights, and/or weekends and be punctual while doing so.
• Occasional overnight travel to include flying, driving, riding or by rail.
• Position may require up to 30% travel.
• Occasional ability to work remotely. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time up to 8-hours.
• Occasional Lifting up to 40 lbs.
• Reading computer screen or other electronic devices.
• Use of various office hand and electrical tools or equipment. 

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Project management
• Documentation
• Presentation
• Business acumen

#LI-KS1

Required Skills

• Ability to plan and execute DOE.
• Ability to overcome technical challenges in the development of new materials and processes to commercialize new foodservice packaging.
• Must have demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to drive multiple concurrent assignments to completion. 

Required Experience

• BS degree in chemistry, material sciences, polymer science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field is required.
• Post-graduate course work in a STEM field is a plus.
• Experience with functional barriers, bio-resins, extrusion, or dispersion coating is required.
• Experience with cup converting functional barriers for cups, cartons and paper making is a plus.
• Technical project management skills.

At Graphic Packaging International (NYSE: GPK), we produce the box you may have poured your child's cereal from this morning, the microwaveable tray that heated your lunch, the paper cup that held your coffee throughout the day, and the carrier of those bottles of craft beer you may enjoy tonight! We're one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world's most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet care products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are a team of collaborative, innovative, passionate individuals who are committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference.

With almost 18,000 employees working in more than 70 locations in North and South America, Europe and the Pacific Rim, we strive to be an environmentally responsible leader in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry's best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we'd love to hear from you. Learn more about us at www.graphicpkg.com.

Inspired Packaging. A World of Difference.

 Graphic Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decision on an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, age, gender or sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, genetic information, disability, veteran/military status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Click here to view the EEO is the Law Poster