Jobs · Engineering · Illinois

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.

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