Packaging Engineer - Decatur, IL

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%.

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.

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, including dry side items such as multiwall bags, drums, totes, pouches, and boxes, and liquid side systems such as PET, glass, Jerry cans, aseptic/UHT, bag‑in‑box, and HDPE containers.

• 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 (NDE) 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

• 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

• 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

• 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…