Packaging Engineer COOP

Winland Foods, Inc., based in Oak Brook, IL, is a global manufacturer of private label and branded foods for retail and co-pack customers. We use only the finest ingredients and ensure every product we make meets the highest standards of taste, quality and accessibility. Across all our food categories, we offer customers a range of premium and value solutions to meet the evolving needs of the consumers. We work closely with our customers to offer consumer-loved brands and custom private label products, and also create new innovative products. We specialize in pasta, sauces, syrups, dressings, jams and jellies, pie fillings, pita chips, dry dinners, dry baking ingredients, and more. We are proud to share we have manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada, and Italy.

Employee Type: Full time

Location: IL Oak Brook

Job Type: Administration

Job Posting Title: Packaging Engineer COOP

Job Description: Schedule: (Hybrid) Monday and Friday are remote, while Tuesday-Thursday are in office

Work Location: 2015 Spring Road Suite 400, Oak Brook, IL 60523

Salary: $27.50 per hour, with an additional one-time lump sum payment to support expenses

Duration: Hiring for two open positions:

• Open Position 1: January to June 2028
• Open Position 2: July to December 2028

Job Summary: As a Packaging Coop in Research, Development & Innovation, you will have the unique opportunity to apply Packaging science principles to meet project objectives. Our team has deep technical expertise across a variety of packaging formats. You can expect a combination of:

• Stimulating projects
• Exposure to industry experts
• On-the-job learning alongside experienced professionals
• Continuous development opportunities, and much more

As an intern/coop, you will work independently and as part of various teams, working toward goals on project assignments with guidance provided as needed with the intent of offering opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills to prepare the intern/coop for a career as a Packaging Engineer after graduation.

Examples of Projects:

• New product development; concept/prototype work.
• Cost savings initiatives; Optimization, quality improvements, material substitutions.
• Sustainability initiatives, meeting customer goals for various sustainability metrics.
• Line trials and packaging line qualifications to support project work.
• Evaluation and optimization of corporate database housing all component specifications and drawings, packaging performance requirements and palletizing specifications.

In addition to hands-on experience in Finance, this position will provide the intern with:

• Project management, time management and organizational skills.
• Understanding the role/function of packaging development within the corporate product launch process, including the critical role that their technical expertise plays in a successful design.
• Working with cross functional team members and developing an understanding of how each role impacts the commercialization of a product.
• Exposure to manufacturing equipment to understand the impact of materials selection and design parameters.
• Presentation of findings to a broad audience after thorough research of issues and topics.

EEO Statement: Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.