Application Engineer

The Company

kp is a globally recognised leader in the packaging and specialty film industry, renowned for its unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. The need to act on climate change has never been clearer so we incorporate sustainability into everything we do by #InvestingInBetter - creating innovative products that enhance product protection, shelf life and contribute to reducing the overall carbon footprint.

At kp, we are passionate about ensuring our customers' satisfaction, and we strive to achieve this goal by focusing all our efforts on meeting their evolving needs. Our dedication to drive a positive change in the packaging industry with a focus on quality and sustainability has earned us a reputation as a trusted partner for businesses worldwide.

Purpose Of The Job

Proactively build strong technical relationships with our customers and value-chain participants. Similarly, build productive internal relationships with Operations, Quality, Innovation, and Product Line Management to facilitate better collaboration between kp and the market. Be a source of knowledge and expertise, both internally and externally, for the applications for which our products are used, particularly pertaining to the assigned market segments. This expertise should include consumer needs, OEM needs, customer/converter equipment demands, and applicable material science. Exemplify Customer-Focus, responding with empathy and urgency for customer issues and needs. As assigned by the Manager, participate in or lead projects whose purpose is to solidify the technical leadership of kp within the markets they serve.

Responsibilities

• Proactively build strong relationships within customer technical teams, and company internal operations, quality, product management, and innovation, to support collaborative approach to customer challenges, projects, and new product development.
• Respond to customer technical issues that are relevant for the application. This is distinct from responding to quality claims, however, from time to time, the role will require support of key quality claims where there appears a dispute between product performance and application expectations.
• Use problem solving reputation to build technical, but also business, relationships with customers, acting as a bridge between commercial and technical needs within both customer and company. Approach such problem solving analytically, demonstrating objectivity and value for the customers
• Provide input to set up appropriate Specification meeting customer/market expectation and meet or exceed competitor’s product performance. Ability to demonstrate the added value of improved product performance to customers both technically and commercially.
• Upon completion of all customer visits, complete detailed technical visit reports and log within Salesforce.com
• Create and maintain supportive technical product collateral like white papers, processing advice, portfolio overview, etc.
• Collaborate with Sales- and Innovation Team to support the market introduction of new products and business models, support new product development lift at customers.
• Support the Innovation process for developing new products and collaborate with Innovation project teams to deliver technical solutions for commercial opportunities.
• Support the Sales team in all application specific opportunities tracked in Salesforce and make sure that the most appropriate products are offered right from the beginning.
• Be a source of knowledge of our customer’s product environment – equipment, line speeds, end products packaged in our materials, supply chain processes, etc.
• Conduct penetrating information gathering meetings with service providers, and equipment vendors; identify technologies and products that can drive growth with our customers and provide a distinct and sustainable competitive advantage.
• Understand and participate in strategic initiatives of our key customers and suppliers, driving necessary joint development activities.
• Support development of company technology based upon market information and the strategic initiatives and needs of current and potential customers.
• Use kp facilities like the i.center as add on to kp’s value proposition where appropriate.
  
  

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in Chemical/Technical engineering is preferred, or significant experience of 5 years in assigned market/industry with focus on application specific converting processes and technical demands
• 3 years of experience as an Application Engineer
• 3 years of experience in plastics (engineering and/or manufacturing with polymers and / or in the assigned market/industry.
  
  

Functional & Technical Skills / Knowledge

• Experience in plastics technologies
• An energetic, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards and an appropriate professional image.
• A technical interested person, who likes to work cross-functionally with value system participants.
• Understands the market(s), customers, and value system.
• Solid analytical and critical thinking skills; good organizational skills; Innovative.
• Solid project management experience.
• A well-organized and self-directed individual who is "politically savvy" and a team player.
• An intelligent and articulate individual who can relate to people at all levels of an organization and possesses excellent communication skills
• High level of empathy is essential
• Excellent oral and written communications skills; ability to effectively interface with all levels and types of internal and external employees and business associates
• Skilled in identifying new technologies/product performance
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project, and Word.
• Fluent in English
• Ability to travel as required by job.
  
  

Competencies

• Ability to communicate, open-mindedly, to be part of a cross functional global team.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• A strategic visionary with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment and strong customer focus.
  
  

Apply Now!

If you are determined, thrive in a fast-paced environment with high levels of accountability and focus, then we’d love to meet you! Please apply using the link below.

At kp, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is vital to our global success. We welcome applicants from all identities, ideas, perspectives and experiences and encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. We aim to create an inclusive culture where our employees feel empowered to play to their strengths and see themselves reflected in the organization without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual preference, marital status, or inclusion in any other protected class.