Analyst Technical TDSQ Group

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence.

We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.

To provide accurate, credible, timely, and cost‑effective testing and evaluation of materials submitted to PCA's TDSQ Testing Facility while supporting the ongoing development and optimization of PCA’s product offerings. This employee will also support operational excellence, assuring the accuracy and ongoing improvement of lab processes.

This Position is one of a team in the TDSQ labs (a manager, supervisors, engineers, and technicians, and occasional contract staff) supporting customer and product development efforts across the PCA organization. Project work includes support for new container board, combined board and packaging innovation, onboarding of large new Customers, plant trials, and materials evaluations for Customers and prospects.

• Provide accurate, effective, quick response testing, evaluation, and reporting.
• Implement test plans and testing process to address and resolve customer issues, supporting sales and product improvement efforts.
• Source, log, track, prepare, condition, and assemble test specimens; execute appropriate testing.
• Analyze and summarize data, complete reporting of results with detailed analysis as required.
• Provide value‑added conclusions to requestors and suggestions to improve, optimize, or remedy the problem that generated the test request.
• Take an active role in maintaining the accuracy and functionality of TDS lab facilities in Vernon Hills. Proficient operation of equipment following relevant TAPPI/ASTM/ISTA standards. Operate and maintain data collection systems, with an eye towards improving utility and functionality.
• Familiarity with operations of laboratory test equipment, focusing in one major area of lab operations. Develop/evolve training and skills to support and contribute across multiple lab operations. Participate in the training and mentoring of contract and co‑op staff that periodically join the lab on a temporary basis and engage in the industry test method review and development process.
• Work safely both on site and off; collaborate with all site employees in safe operation of all lab equipment and develop safety‑training improvements; and support site safety goals.
• Responsible for knowing and following policies and procedures of the company; for sharing information that would benefit other members of the team; and for finding ways to improve the delivery of service to our Customers.
• Continually strive to strengthen PCA’s business philosophy of meeting needs and exceeding expectation for Customers. This includes supporting PCA’s Commitment to Service which involves doing what’s right for our Customers, focusing on strategies that add value and support growth, and keeping the promises that we make.

The Technical Analyst is expected to work under general supervision, typically reporting to the Sr. Mgr Technical Operations & Resources. This position requires a professional able to make timely and considered decisions on test protocol selection to meet customer needs, as well as analytical reporting with a high level of integrity. The Technical Analyst is expected to collaborate with more senior team members in determining the best way to address customer needs, making decisions as to his/her approach to completing assigned projects given limited direction and evaluation of problem statements.

The individual is expected to take general direction and make decisions on the…