Product Technologist

For our client Royal Vaassen, we are looking for a Product Technologist based in the Chicago Area. Royal Vaassen (RV) is a 150-year-old global supplier and producer of flexible packaging materials as well as coated foils for industrial applications. The companies HQ is based in the Netherlands, they are a pioneer in developing solutions for both food and industrial applications.

Their products serve three main markets:

Food; aluminum-based lidding for plastic bottles (Capsteryl), printed aluminum and PET lidding for the dairy industry, lidding for tin and aluminum can ends and composite cans, and ultra-high barrier paper-based materials to replace plastics in dehydrated food applications.

Industry; aluminum facers for PUR and PIR insulation panels, and aluminum with a desiccant coating for Energy Recovery Wheels.

Tobacco; aluminum-based inner liners and seals for cigarette packaging.

They offer high-quality, innovative packaging and their core values are Sustainability, Innovation and First-class service.

Royal Vaassen has a global team of Product Technologists embedded in its key markets. This position is based in the Chicago area and reports jointly to the Sales Manager US and the Global Head of Product Technology in the Netherlands.

Key Responsibilities

Customer support & relationship

• Serve as the primary technical contact for customers, both on-site and day-to-day
• Explain Royal Vaassen's product capabilities and converting technologies to customers and prospects
• Support and coordinate customer trials, material qualification, and new product implementation
• Maintain and update item specifications and packaging instruction parameters
• Prepare and maintain technical specifications and customer-related documentation

Internal collaboration

• Translate customer and market requirements into concrete input for product development and improvement
• Communicate customer findings clearly to Sales, R&D, Production, Quality, and other internal stakeholders
• Maintain close working alignment with the US Sales Manager and relevant internal functions globally

External partner relationships

• Build and maintain relationships with machine suppliers at customer sites, filling lines, sealing equipment, converting machinery, and feed findings back internally
• Maintain active relationships with raw material and component suppliers

Market & technology intelligence

• Stay current on market developments through customers, competitors, trade shows, and internal sources
• Monitor trends in materials, converting technologies, regulations, and application requirements relevant to RV's segments
• Share market intelligence internally in a structured way to inform product development and commercial decisions

Candidate Profile

• Degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Packaging Technology, or a related field
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a technical role within the packaging industry
• Fluent in English and preferably in Spanish; additional languages are an advantage
• Strong proficiency with ERP and quality management systems
• Self-starter, comfortable working independently in a remote market without daily supervision
• Commercially aware and a natural team player
• Affinity with processes and systems.
• Organized and well structured.
• Strong sense of quality.
• Problem-solving ability and practical, hands-on attitude.
• Willing and able to travel frequently across the US and, where relevant, internationally