Technical Field Support Representative

About PaperTechPaperTech is a leading manufacturer of pressed paperboard packaging, providing customized dual-ovenable food trays and other high-quality products to customers in food distribution throughout North America. Our products are made of 90% or greater renewable sustainable materials. PaperTech is committed to environmental stewardship and is well-positioned to benefit from the accelerating shift away from single-use plastics. With accelerating organic growth opportunities, this is an exciting time in the company's history. We would love to have you as part of our team.About the RoleThe Technical Field Support Representative serves as the primary technical liaison between PaperTech, customers, and the sales team to support the successful implementation of PaperTech packaging solutions. This role provides hands-on technical support, leads customer trials, troubleshoots production issues, and collaborates with Sales, Engineering, Quality, R&D, and Manufacturing to improve customer outcomes and support new business opportunities. Frequent travel throughout the United States and Canada is required.Responsibilities: other duties may be assigned as neededServe as the technical bridge between PaperTech leadership, sales reps, engineering, and prospective customers to accelerate the selling cycle by:Assisting PaperTech leadership with opportunity prioritization, including expected conversion timelines and customer investment requirementsIdentifying technical trouble points between our tray and a customer's installed equipment (e.g., denesters, tray carriers, conveyors, food loading stations, film sealers, end-of-line packing/handling process)Helping customers understand how trouble points can be overcome via equipment modification, process change, or tray design attributesAssisting customers with equipment vendor solutions when appropriateAssisting customers with line trials and production start-upAssisting PaperTech Engineering with tray design considerations based on the customer's tray filling equipment and processDeploy to customer facilities to troubleshoot problems when customers experience challenges filling our trays (sealing defects, film feed/registration, tray fit) and implement corrective actions with customers and internal teamsSet up, run, and supervise tray trials at customer sites; produce thorough trial reports, technical assessments, ROI/cost comparisons, and actionable recommendations for customers and sales managementTrain PaperTech sales reps on tray technical features, sealing and handling best practices, and how to address common customer issuesCollaborate with R&D, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to communicate customer requirements, escalate technical issues, and support new product introductionsMaintain accurate CRM records of technical interactions, trial outcomes, and next stepsTravel regularly to customer sites and trade showsPerforms other related duties as assigned.Requirements3–5 years in a customer-facing technical field role supporting food packaging or processing equipment, ideally with direct experience on tray filling and sealing linesDeep hands-on knowledge of the equipment used to denest, carry/convey and film-seal food trays across various food segments including fresh and frozen meals, protein, produce, baked goods, and ready-to-eatExperience with substrate transitions in food tray packaging, ideally having supported migration efforts from plastic trays to fiber or paperboard; familiarity with how paper trays behave differently on production lines (moisture sensitivity at the seal zone, tray curl management, denester guide settings)Hands-on mechanical aptitude; comfortable making field-level equipment adjustments, including sealer jaw changes and tooling modifications, to resolve tray compatibility issues on-site without waiting for OEM supportPractical experience running trials, commissioning equipment, and troubleshooting sealing/packaging problems on production linesStrong understanding of food safety, hygiene requirements, and packaging regulations for food productsCustomer-focused; able to translate complex technical detail into clear, accessible language for non-technical audiencesExcellent verbal and written communication skills; able to write concise trial reports and technical recommendationsAble to travel frequently through the US and Canada (could be weekly), at least 50% of the time and work flexible hours for customer trialsResides near an airport with several nonstop routes or good connections to primary air hubsValid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.Valid passport or ability to obtain one for travel within the United States and Canada.Ability to meet customer-specific safety, food safety, and PPE requirements.Ability to pass customer-required background checks or safety training when necessary.Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.Education and ExperienceBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Food Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.Equivalent combination of education, technical training, and directly relevant industry experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.Physical RequirementsAbility to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and climb as needed in manufacturing and customer production environments.Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.Ability to use hands and tools to inspect, adjust, and troubleshoot equipment.Ability to travel frequently by automobile and commercial aircraft (approximately 50% or more).Ability to work safely around manufacturing equipment and in food production environments while wearing required PPE.Ability to work flexible hours to support customer trials, production start-ups, and business needs.Compensation & BenefitsCompetitive, market-based salary commensurate with experience.Annual performance bonus opportunity.Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, and company-paid business travel expenses.Paper Tech is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Each applicant for employment is considered solely based on job qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.The information in your resume and application, including employment history, educational history, and references, are subject to verification.Pre-employment background check, and drug screen is required.Only qualified candidates will be contacted.Job Type: Full-time