Lead Application Engineer, Flexible Packaging
Henkel · Elgin, IL · 2 mo ago
HybridEngineering$125k/yrFull-time
About the role
This position is with our Adhesive Technologies business unit – where we empower our people to transform industries and provide our customers with a competitive advantage through adhesives, sealants and functional coatings.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for product recommendations, customized products applications, new product demonstrations and troubleshooting for customers.
- Consult customers on solutions generating value for their use cases.
- Perform technical visits (meetings, audits, demonstrations, troubleshooting, etc.) for customers with documentation in the CRM tool and the LIM system.
- Work with application equipment to provide solutions to enhance customer adhesive related processes.
- Leverage customer feedback to drive optimization in customer service and identify new business opportunities for sales colleagues.
- Reports quality issues / customers' claims to relevant parts of the organization (incl. CCMS/CAPRIS).
- May supervise the laboratory work (incl. prioritization) for samples coming from customers, and report technical results to customers.
- Responsible for products application / technical training and coaching of field sales forces and customers.
- Responsible for directly communicating with sales, marketing, PD, Innovation, members of TCS field team or project team members.
- Promote internally SBU innovations and best learnings cross accounts.
- Acts as a trusted technical partner for customers by leading product / technology demos, troubleshooting, and training at customer sites utilizing pre- and post-demo documentation and visit reports to help customers succeed.
- Collaborates as technical liaison between our customers and our internal team including product development, manufacturing, supply chain, sales, and marketing.
- Provides timely technical support for assigned regional customers including product recommendations, complaint investigations, and analytical problem solving.
- Demonstrates appropriate project management skills by justifying and scoping customer projects, as well as supporting our market areas by driving our innovation and technology pipeline.
- Plans, executes and communicates laboratory requests to support customer / market projects.
- Prepares reports to summarize findings & conclusions and effectively communicates technical information directly to internal and external stakeholders.
- Contributes to the development and successful adoption of new technology platforms for laminating adhesives and coatings by applying deep technical knowledge, industry expertise and customer insights.
- Provides market-specific expertise through internal and external approaches including involvement in professional societies and industry associations.
- Leads by example in Safety, completing all necessary site and field safety requirements.
- Develops technical and professional skills through ongoing learning, mentoring, and participation in internal and external technical communities.
Requirements
- BS ChE, ME, MatE, Chemistry or similar degree / experience required.
- Typically, 5-10+ years of technical service, engineering, or industry experience; relevant experience in the Flexible Packaging industry is a plus.
- Hands-on coating and/or converting expertise (mechanical / application equipment aptitude) in laminating adhesives and/or coatings technology area is highly valued.
- Experience in troubleshooting complex / difficult problems.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent people skills; able to work effectively with a range of individuals from manufacturing operators and laboratory technicians through senior management both at customers and within Henkel.
- Excellent project management and organization skills.
- Willing to travel up to ~60%, primarily in the USA and occasionally MX/CAN; with advance planning and support to enable sustainable work-life balance.
Qualifications
- BS ChE, ME, MatE, Chemistry or similar degree / experience required.
- Typically, 5-10+ years of technical service, engineering, or industry experience; relevant experience in the Flexible Packaging industry is a plus.
- Hands-on coating and/or converting expertise (mechanical / application equipment aptitude) in laminating adhesives and/or coatings technology area is highly valued.
- Experience in troubleshooting complex / difficult problems.
Skills
- Technical Service
- Engineering
- Customer Service
- Project Management
- Technical Training
- Technical Liaison
- Product Development
- Market Analysis
- Technical Writing
- Technical Troubleshooting
- Collaboration
- Leadership
- Safety Compliance
- Continuous Learning
Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Flexible Work Policies
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Parental Leave
- Fertility Support
- Adoption & Surrogacy Reimbursement
- Discounted Child & Elderly Care
- Scholarships
- Diverse National & International Growth Opportunities
- Access to Thousands of Skills Development Courses
Pay
$105,000.00 - $125,000.00
Schedule
Varies based on role and location.