Packaging Engineer - Decatur, IL

ADM; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 92,800 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Adoption assistance

Tuition assistance

Training & development

LinkedIn Learning

Job summary

ADM’s Packaging Technology Center in Decatur, IL seeks a hands-on Packaging Engineer to troubleshoot packaging equipment, optimize production processes, and drive efficiency across packaging lines. You’ll support capital projects, quality and safety initiatives, equipment installations, and process improvements using data and KPIs to deliver measurable cost savings.

Reporting to the Director of Global Packaging, you will partner with operations, engineering, procurement and commercial teams

Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering, Packaging, or related field.
• 4+ years of direct packaging experience in manufacturing.
• Experience working in or closely with plant operations.
• Ability to troubleshoot packaging equipment and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Experience optimizing and operating packaging equipment.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Organized, detail-focused, and methodical approach to problem solving and execution.
• Hands-on, practical approach with demonstrated technical proficiency.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Providing technical leadership on packaging equipment selection, materials, and system optimization across dry and liquid packaging operations.
• Monitoring production processes and troubleshooting packaging equipment – identifying root causes and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Supporting capital and non-discretionary expense projects, including equipment installation, modifications, and training at startup.
• Developing and deploying packaging best practices, standards, and performance guarantees across your region and globally as applicable.
• Using KPIs and metrics to identify improvement opportunities and track value creation.
• Writing technical reports following plant visits and following up on action items.
• Managing and prioritizing a pipeline of packaging savings and improvement projects aligned with strategic sourcing goals.
• Supporting packaging materials specification, testing, and analysis.
• Partnering with suppliers in coordination with Strategic Sourcing.
• Identifying opportunities to digitalize performance metrics.
• Coaching and developing fellow team members; contributing to a culture of shared accountability and growth.

Skills

Years of packaging experience

Troubleshooting packaging equipment

Process optimization

Data-driven improvement

Strong communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

B.S. in Engineering/Packaging

Job description

Packaging Engineer – (Decatur, IL or ADM Packaging Site)

This is an exempt, salary-level role.

This position reports to the Director of Global Packaging.

Travel: 25–50%

Location: This role can be based in Decatur, IL or any ADM U.S. location with packaging operations, with primary support across the Midwest and Eastern regions. Key packaging facility locations include: Cedar Rapids, IA | Clinton, IA | Buffalo, NY | Erlanger, KY / Cincinnati, OH | Kennesaw, GA / Atlanta, GA | Kansas City, KS | Jackson, TN | Southport, NC | Quincy, IL | Harvard, IL.

Position Overview

The Packaging Engineer is a hands‑on, technical support role focused on troubleshooting packaging equipment, optimizing production processes, and improving performance across packaging lines. You’ll support capital projects, quality and safety engagements, equipment installations, and process improvements while leveraging data, KPIs, and Performance‑Excellence tools to drive efficiency and cost savings.

This role sits within the Packaging Technology Center as part of the Operational Transformation team, serving as a key link between global standards and plant‑level execution across ADM’s business units.

In this position, you’ll partner cross‑functionally with operations, engineering, procurement, and commercial teams to drive continuous improvement, implement best practices, and deliver measurable value across packaging systems, equipment, and materials.

Success in this role depends on the ability to solve problems in real‑time, work closely with plant teams, and implement sustainable solutions across a variety of packaging formats and operations.

ADM’s packaging footprint is highly diverse. On the dry side, you’ll work with multiwall bags, drums, totes, pouches, and boxes. On the liquid side, you’ll support systems involving PET, glass, Jerry cans, aseptic/UHT, bag‑in‑box, and HDPE containers.

Position Responsibilities

• Providing technical leadership on packaging equipment selection, materials, and system optimization across dry and liquid packaging operations.
• Monitoring production processes and troubleshooting packaging equipment – identifying root causes and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Supporting capital and non‑discretionary expense projects, including equipment installation, modifications, and training at startup.
• Developing and deploying packaging best practices, standards, and performance guarantees across your region and globally as applicable.
• Using KPIs and metrics to identify improvement opportunities and track value creation.
• Writing technical reports following plant visits and following up on action items.
• Managing and prioritizing a pipeline of packaging savings and improvement projects aligned with strategic sourcing goals.
• Supporting packaging materials specification, testing, and analysis.
• Partnering with suppliers in coordination with Strategic Sourcing.
• Identifying opportunities to digitalize performance metrics.
• Coaching and developing fellow team members; contributing to a culture of shared accountability and growth.

Position Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering, Packaging, or related field.
• 4+ years of direct packaging experience in manufacturing.
• Experience working in or closely with plant operations.
• Ability to troubleshoot packaging equipment and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Experience optimizing and operating packaging equipment.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Organized, detail‑focused, and methodical approach to problem solving and execution.
• Hands‑on, practical approach with demonstrated technical proficiency.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Strongly Preferred

• 8+ years overall operations experience.
• Capital project or equipment installation/startup experience.
• Continuous Improvement / Lean / Performance Excellence.
• Experience in food, ag, chemical, or industrial environments.

Physical Requirements

• Lift and carry materials up to 30 lbs frequently, up to 50 lbs occasionally, and up to 55 lbs overhead on a limited basis; assistance is available and encouraged for lifts over 50 lbs.
• Move throughout a facility, including traversing up to 2 miles over the course of a workday.
• Stoop, bend, kneel, or squat as needed; work may include periods of prolonged sitting or standing.
• Work at varying heights, including on ladders or scaffolding, and operate manual and electrically powered tools and test equipment.

Relocation assistance is available within North America.

This position does not offer visa sponsorship.

Excited about this role but don’t think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.

Compensation

Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non‑exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.

The pay range for this position is expected to be between $92,800.00 and $174,000.00.

The total compensation package for this position will also include annual bonus and a long‑term incentive plan.

Benefits

• Physical wellness – medical/Rx, dental, vision and on‑site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable).
• Financial wellness – flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers’ compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection.
• Mental and social wellness – Employee Assistance Program, Employee Resource Groups and Colleague Giving Programs.

Additional Benefits

• Paid time off including paid holidays.
• Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave.
• Tuition assistance.
• Company‑sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs.

*Benefits may vary for bargained locations, confirm benefit eligibility with your recruiter.

EEO Statement

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM’s efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and creating welcoming, truly inclusive work environments—environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together. We welcome everyone to apply. We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, language, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.