Senior Paper Materials Engineer

This role strengthens the paper materials workstream by adding senior-level technical ownership for supplier readiness plant execution qualification discipline and converting performance. This position will continue to improve speed consistency and technical follow-through across paper material qualifications and paper-related manufacturing support.

The Senior Paper Materials Engineer leads paper material support across procurement supplier qualification material trials plant issue resolution and manufacturing readiness for Darts paper-based product platforms. This role supports paperboard coated paper cup stock plate stock lid materials and related fiber-based materials used in cups lids plates and other converted paper products.

The role works closely with Procurement Quality Manufacturing Regulatory Sustainability Product Development suppliers and plant teams to qualify materials troubleshoot performance issues support supplier transitions and ensure paper materials are ready for production use. This position requires strong hands-on converting experience and the ability to spend significant time in plants supplier facilities and trial locations.

What Youll Do...

• Lead paper material qualification projects from supplier evaluation through testing production trials approval and implementation.
• Partner with Procurement to assess new suppliers alternative sourcing options supplier transitions and cost-saving opportunities.
• Review material specifications supplier capabilities coating technologies and performance requirements for food packaging applications.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing plants troubleshooting material and converting issues related to quality performance and production efficiency.
• Plan and execute production trials analyze results lead root cause investigations and recommend corrective actions.
• Apply expertise in paper converting processes including forming die cutting printing coating laminating slitting and packaging.
• Support material selection and specification development to ensure compatibility with manufacturing processes customer requirements and product performance expectations.
• Maintain qualification records material specifications testing documentation and regulatory or customer compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with Procurement Quality Manufacturing Regulatory Sustainability Product Development and suppliers to drive successful material qualifications and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Communicate technical findings risks and recommendations to stakeholders and ensure projects stay on track from qualification through commercialization.

Key Focus Areas:

What Youll Need...

• Requires one of the following:
  • Bachelors degree or equivalent in Paper Engineering Packaging Engineering Chemical Engineering Materials Engineering Materials science or a related technical field.
  • Associates degree and twelve (12) years of related engineering experience
• Senior-level experience supporting paper materials coated paper paperboard fiber-based packaging or paper converting operations.
• Direct experience with converting paper for cups lids plates or similar formed and converted food packaging applications.
• Demonstrated ability to support manufacturing trials supplier qualifications material testing plant troubleshooting and cross-functional technical decision-making.
• Strong understanding of how paper material properties affect converting performance and finished product quality.
• Ability to travel up to 50% to manufacturing plants supplier locations trials technical reviews and qualification activities.
• Strong communication ability to influence documentation organization and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work independently in plant environments and provide practical technical recommendations under real production conditions.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Experience with cup stock plate stock coated paperboard poly-coated paper barrier-coated paper lid materials molded or fiber-based packaging or food-contact paper materials.
• Experience supporting supplier transitions second-source qualifications material cost-savings projects or new material commercialization.
• Familiarity with paper material testing coating performance sealing behavior converting defects curl moisture effects stiffness density caliper printability and runnability.
• Experience working directly with Procurement Quality Manufacturing Regulatory Sustainability suppliers and plant leadership.
• Experience developing material specifications qualification reports trial plans technical recommendations and approval documentation.

Overview: Dart makes everyday products that give people the freedom to enjoy the food & drinks they love wherever they are. From to-go containers and dinnerware to tamper-evident food packaging and even the red SOLO cup Dart products have been keeping people on the go and having fun for 65 years. Were a family-owned family-focused company of 12000 employees united by a shared set of values and dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Mason MI with 30 locations in three countries were proud of our ability to innovate manufacture and lead the way with each new generation of quality products.

Benefits: Dart Container full-time employees enjoy great benefits including medical dental vision life insurance 401(k) with company matching contributions paid vacation paid holidays short-term disability tuition assistance product discounts and more.

Dart Container is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are subject to a drug test (excluding THC*/marijuana/cannabis) and background check at the time of offer.

*THC testing ONLY when such testing is required by law.

Dart Container is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all candidates for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age sexual orientation gender identity disability status protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

you have a disability and need an accommodation to access this website or for the application process you should call Dart atExt 3370 or email us calls can be made by dialing 711 or the relay number for your state.

If you experience difficultyapplyingonline you may call Ext 3390 or email us at for assistance.