Applications Engineer Co-op

Job Description

Pay Rate: $23.00 

JOB OVERVIEW  
We are seeking highly motivated individuals currently pursuing a degree in animal science, meat science, food science, or packaging science to join our Strategic Account team through a summer position (May-August) located in Northwest Arkansas with a focus on one of our largest customers.  As a part of the Strategic Account team, this position plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining strong relationships, driving sales growth, and ensuring customer satisfaction.  
This is a unique opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of food processing and packaging processes at one of our largest accounts.  You’ll work in a highly collaborative team environment and will have the ability to have direct influence on active projects. Sealed Air utilizes our internship program as a pipeline for identifying and hiring top talent for full-time employment within our Strategic Accounts team.

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES  
Apply your area of study to the development of new products and processes at Sealed Air. Products may include multi-layer polymer films, or packaging equipment and automation within the meat processor sector. Responsibilities will include four major components: customer interface, sales growth, technical expertise and project management.

•    Customer Interface:
o    Serve as a main point of contact and build strong relationships with various functional areas within the customer’s organization including their R&D, Procurement, Marketing, Engineering and other departments. 
o    Understand and address customer needs, concerns, and requirements to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction.
o    Effectively communicate technical information and provide solutions to customer inquiries or issues.

•    Sales Growth:
o    Collaborate with the sales team to identify and pursue new business opportunities.
o    Assist in developing and executing sales strategies to drive revenue growth for both new and existing opportunities.
o    Stay updated on industry trends, market conditions, and competitive landscape to identify potential areas for business expansion.

•    Technical Expertise:
o    Develop an understanding of our products, services, and technical capabilities to effectively communicate their value proposition to the customer.
o    Provide technical guidance, support, and assistance for both internal teams and customers.
o    Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as R&D, Engineering, Front-End-Innovation, Portfolio, Customer Service, Field Quality, Regional Sales, and others to address customer-specific requirements or challenges.

•    Project Management:
o    Coordinate and manage projects involving cross-functional teams, ensuring timely delivery and successful implementation of solutions. 
o    Track progress, spot risks, and address issues as needed within multiple simultaneous on-going projects.
o    Maintain accurate documentation, including project plans, reports, and customer communications.

Qualifications

•    Has completed at least two years of a bachelor's in animal, meat, food, or packaging science, or is pursuing an M.S. in one of these or related fields.
•    Strong academic record with 3.0 or higher GPA 
•    Authorized to work in the US for any employer without sponsorship 
•    Ability to work independently with limited supervision; ability to drive projects independently (self-starter) 
•    Proven excellence in a customer-facing role
•    Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively engage with stakeholders at all levels
•    Demonstrated ability to understand technical concepts and translate them into clear, concise information for non-technical audiences
•    Project management or research experience is preferred, but must have the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
•    Knowledge of the food industry, specifically within the meat processing sector; plant experience is highly desirable. 
•    Willingness to travel to customer sites frequently and travel for attendance at industry events (as needed). 

Benefits and Perks
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Disability insurance
Employee assistance program
Employee discounts
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid elder care
Paid time off
Parental leave
Professional development assistance
Retirement plan
Tuition reimbursement
Vision insurance