Research & Development Analyst

Requisition ID: 8607

Location:

Louisville, CO, US, 80027

Department: Research & Development

Travel: Up to 50%

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At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. 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 products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.

With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible 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.

A World of Difference. Made Possible.

With limited and general direction from the Critical Operations Support (COS) Manager, this position is responsible for coordinating and performing a wide variety of testing, trialing, analyses, and evaluations with plant operations and the Science & Labs/AMAPS (Advanced Materials Analysis & Product Support) Team on any/all materials utilized in paperboard, packaging substrates, and finished carton structures in support of Global R&D (GRD) for new product and material development, and any other corporate initiatives as assigned by GRD management.

Additionally, this position is responsible for the supplemental support of conversion plants’ critical operations by aiding the troubleshooting of their processes to help return them to a state of steady operation.

Responsibilitiesand skillsmay include any of the following:

• Travel to converting plants or trial locations, as needed, up to 15-35% of the time throughout the course of the year.

• Have or develop a thorough understanding of materials’ chemical, physical, and structural properties and the properties’ impacts on product functionality and processability

• Ability to quickly learn plant conversion processes to help make informed decisions while trialing new or commercial structures andtohelp troubleshootthe structures’runabilities

• Creationand implementation oftrial plans for running different structures and adapting ofrun parameters as needed as learnings are madewhile trialing

• Have or develop a working knowledge of chemical, physical, structural, cook, and performance testing of various substrates (paper, board, film, laminations, etc.), carton structures, and prototype/finished products in accordance with industry-standard procedures from sources such as ASTM, TAPPI, ISTA, and any other internal (GPI-based) or external (customer) specifications and requirements.

• Have or develop an understanding of analytical techniques employed and results which may include any of the following:

• FTIR: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.

• DSC: Differential Scanning Calorimetry

• SEM: Scanning Electron Microscopy (with EDS, electron dispersive spectroscopy)

• Instron Universal Test Apparatus Analysis for the determination of tensile, and compressive-type properties of materials.

• Optical microscopy and sample imaging

• Physical test evaluations on paperboard/structures, including COF, stiffness, score bend, and tear.

• Microwave and conventional oven cooking evaluations of trays and structures for cook performance, structural integrity, temperature profiles, and abuse/failure analysis.

• Microwave analytical techniques, utilizing a Network Analyzer, including waveguide reflectance, absorbance, transmittance testing & dielectric properties measurement.

• Temperature/humidity testing of substrates, structures, and cartons/products for environmental integrity at various conditions.

• Coordinationwith converting plants and the Science & Labs/AMAPS teams to develop new analytical test methods and procedures when required, in support of the analysis of packaging materials to solve complex problems, incorporating and utilizing the expertise acquired from education, work experience, and knowledge obtained working with each group.

• Coordinatingthe collection and submission of samples for evaluation, reverse-engineering, and/or failure analysis of packaging materials, including carton substrates, finished cartons, and other various packaging products and designs, as needed, and requested by GRD Management, Sales, Business Development, etc., directly supporting critical business initiatives.

• Beingthe technical/analytical liaison, and the primary contact for GRD COS on any/all requests, projects and initiatives assigned. Establishingclose communication, and interaction with customers (internal and external) regarding the project’s objectives and goals, timing, planning, and scheduling of work efforts, and direction, based on data/results.

• Consolidating, writing, and issuing ofdetailed data/science-based reports, emails, and presentations stating results, conclusions, and future course of action from trials, the lab work completed, and the data obtained. Communicatingthe project’s critical information obtained to customers, and various levels of management, in a concise, and scientific manner that is data-driven, and scientifically sound.

• Researchingand collaboratingwith cutting-edge process equipment vendors and material suppliers to make justifications for more-optimized processing equipment or materials used for new or current packaging structures.

• Knowledge in the following areas is a plus:

• Extrusion coating and lamination

• Flexographic, gravure, and offset printing

• Rod coating

• Sheeting, cutting, and gluing

• Windowing

• Heat sealing

• Web handling and treatment

Required Skills & Experience

• BA/BS in a Science/Engineering-based technical discipline, such as Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Packaging Science, etc., is required, or having the equivalent level of knowledge gained from extensive work experience.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in an R&D manufacturing or paperboard converting plant environment; packaging, chemical, physical, and materials science testing experience acquired through experience within the packaging, materials, or consumer product groups (CPG’s), and industries is a strong asset to this position.

• Familiarization with any of the various analytical methods noted, or paperboard processing equipment, and advanced materials experience, and knowledge is preferred.

• Additional skills knowledge, coursework, and experience in beverage/food packaging, structural design, and/or paperboard science is also beneficial.

Pay Range: $68,175.00 - $90,900.00

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 Poster, EEO is the Law. (http://performancemanager4.successfactors.com/Graphicpkg/SF_eeo_is_the_law_federal_poster.pdf)

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Nearest Major Market: Boulder

Nearest Secondary Market: Denver