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 ResponsibilitiesCustomer support & relationshipServe as the primary technical contact for customers, both on-site and day-to-dayExplain Royal Vaassen's product capabilities and converting technologies to customers and prospectsSupport and coordinate customer trials, material qualification, and new product implementationMaintain and update item specifications and packaging instruction parametersPrepare and maintain technical specifications and customer-related documentationInternal collaborationTranslate customer and market requirements into concrete input for product development and improvementCommunicate customer findings clearly to Sales, R&D, Production, Quality, and other internal stakeholdersMaintain close working alignment with the US Sales Manager and relevant internal functions globallyExternal partner relationshipsBuild and maintain relationships with machine suppliers at customer sites, filling lines, sealing equipment, converting machinery, and feed findings back internallyMaintain active relationships with raw material and component suppliersMarket & technology intelligenceStay current on market developments through customers, competitors, trade shows, and internal sourcesMonitor trends in materials, converting technologies, regulations, and application requirements relevant to RV's segmentsShare market intelligence internally in a structured way to inform product development and commercial decisionsCandidate ProfileDegree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Packaging Technology, or a related fieldA minimum of 5 years of experience in a technical role within the packaging industryFluent in English and preferably in Spanish; additional languages are an advantageStrong proficiency with ERP and quality management systemsSelf-starter, comfortable working independently in a remote market without daily supervisionCommercially aware and a natural team playerAffinity 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