Food Process Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview
Why Choose Us?
Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.
Our Sustainability Commitment
The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.
Job Description
Description:
• Support all aspects of the APET Extrusion and Thermoforming Processes in Franklin Park IL plant.
• Primary responsibility will be in the area of Extrusion and Thermoforming.
• Maintains process methods and controls to meet quality standards.
• Provides expert technical consultation in process troubleshooting, quality defects and problem identification/statement. This person will be the plant's main process engineering expert.
• Develop solutions to problems that adversely affect the APET processes in the Franklin Park IL plant.
• Provide technical advice, counsel and training in one or more areas to solve problems, identify new project opportunities, and guide plant process initiatives. Operators will seek this person out for expert technical training and advice.
• Support a 24/7 APET and other polymers/food packaging plant operation.
• Troubleshoots mechanical, electrical equipment and process issues and provides technical leadership and training to resolve same. Not an electrical expert but able to identify problems and rule out process or mechanical issues if applicable. Or solve for process/mechanical problems.
• Prepare proposals for initiating new projects that impact the process. I.E. - Able to represent process needs when obtaining quotes from vendors.
• Coordinate and lead new equipment, process, and product trials and production start-up efforts in Franklin Park site.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Plastics, or related field) preferred but not required. Candidates with significant hands-on plastics manufacturing experience will be strongly considered.
• 3+ years of experience in polymer extrusion, thermoforming, or plastics manufacturing process engineering, preferably within sheet extrusion operations.
• Strong working knowledge of polymer processing fundamentals including temperature control, pressure management, screw performance, melt stability, and sheet quality characteristics.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting complex manufacturing processes and implementing sustainable process improvements.
• Experience optimizing extrusion or thermoforming processes to improve throughput, reduce scrap, and increase overall process capability.
• Experience supporting process trials, new product introductions, and equipment validation activities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret process data, production trends, and operational performance metrics.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with operations, maintenance, and quality teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience providing technical guidance or training to operators, technicians, or supervisors is strongly preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and support a 24/7 manufacturing operation when technical issues arise.
Compensation:
A reasonable estimate of the current range is $105,000 - 115,000 + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.
Company Benefits
What You'll Get From Us
Benefits
With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.
Community Engagement
At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.
Training and Development
We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.
Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact myHRservices@novolex.com.
Formerly Pactiv Evergreen