Technical Associate

Sonoco • Hartsville, SC

22d • Onsite

About The Position

From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive. Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people. While reporting to the Technology Senior Director, you will be responsible for conceiving, designing and testing new adhesive products; conducting trials to ensure that newly developed products are transferred at production at the Sonoco Adhesive Division and commercialized at customer locations.

Requirements

• Must have a 4 year Bachelor degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Material Science, or other related fields
• A minimum of 5 year experience in formulating water based adhesives; knowledge in paperboard and food grade packaging desirable
• Ability to aggressively attack complex problems and identify feasible or optimal solutions
• Applies creativity and innovation to achieve technical and business objectives
• Ability to simultaneously lead or participate in multiple cross-functional teams in a dynamic, fast paced environment
• Willingness to be an individual contributor, conducting bench or trial work with minimal supervision
• Having good work ethic, can-do attitude, and adaptability
• Strong oral/written communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to adjust his/her style to various customers and stake holders

Responsibilities

• Conceive, design and test new adhesive or coating products; conduct trials to ensure that newly developed products are successfully transferred to production at the Sonoco Adhesive Division and commercialized at internal and external customer locations
• Assist sales and business development functions in identifying prospects, conduct technical discovery, and provide assessment on probability of success.
• Leverage new technologies and new products to new customers, industry segments and markets.
• Utilize analytical troubleshooting and Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other tools to enhance performances of existing products, reduce total manufacturing costs, and improve productivity in support of customers’ business objectives.
• Support the supply chain management team in identifying and qualifying vendors of raw materials and additives.
• Keep abreast of novel technologies in adhesive industry. Assess and recommend feasibility of such technical innovations for Sonoco applications.
• Lead or support quality assurance function in identifying root causes of quality issues, establishing and implementing control changes to provide long-term sustainable improvements at customer locations
• Maintain complete and accurate records on intellectual properties and pursue patent application or trade secrets as appropriate.
• Effectively communicate project status, technical market assessment, and recommendations to all stakeholders

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
• Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
• Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees