The opportunity:

The Product Development Engineer will focus on the development of product/market ideas which drive revenue and profitable growth. In this role, you will work from ground floor planning & executing paper machine trials to presenting to customers & senior leaders. You will be responsible for project management, troubleshooting, R&D coordination, data analysis and cost/profit tracking.You will also work closely with Research & Development, Technical Sales Service, Paperboard Operations and Sales and Marketing to ensure close coordination on projects.

How you will impact WestRock:

• Actively engage customers, operations and R&D to deliver innovation of new products, analytics and profit improvement programs across WestRock supporting sustainable solutions for tomorrow
• Define product design, specifications, and operating parameters which meet end use requirements
• Develop new testing methods and equipment; optimize and improve performance and/or profitability of existing products
• Coordinate with operations, supply chain and converters to plan, execute and evaluate trial
• Manage projects, collect and analyze data
• Assist commercial and marketing functions in developing value proposition and business case for product development and improvement opportunities
• Work with finance lead to define costs and profitability of projects and product developments
• Remain knowledgeable of work underway in other functional groups that affect the mill’s and business’ projects

What you need to succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field
• 2-5 years of work experience
• Excellent project management skills
• Experimental Design
• Data Management and Analysis
• Problem Solving, Root Cause Analysis
• Excellent communication skills & customer relation skills (External & Internal)
• Entrepreneur mindset to identify new opportunities in products and services
• Working in a team environment
• Ability to travel up to 30%

Preferred, but not required:

• Knowledge of Paper Board and/or Containerboard manufacturing & Converting
• Paper Machine operational experience
• Six Sigma
• Fluency with IT data systems (SAP, PI Process Book, JDE, Optivision, Parcview, Compliant Pro)

What we offer:

• Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability and excellence
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies and potential
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

WestRock Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating and maintaining a diverse workforce: Minorities/Females/ Disabled/Veterans.

#LI-RG1