Packaging Engineer Co-Op 2027

Location: USA-IL Oak Brook

Employee Type

Full time

Location

IL Oak Brook

Job Type

Administration

Job Posting Title

Packaging Engineer Co-Op 2027

About Us

TreeHouse Foods is a leading manufacturer of private label packaged foods and beverages, operating a network of over 20 production facilities and several corporate offices across the United States and Canada. At TreeHouse Foods, our commitment to excellence extends beyond our products and revolves around our people. We are investing in talent and creating a performance-based culture where employees can do their best work and develop their careers, directly impacting our mission to make high quality, affordable food for our customers, communities, and families. We hope you will consider joining the team and being part of our future.

Named one of America’s Best Large Employers by Forbes Magazine, we are proud to live by a strong set of values and strive to "Engage and Delight – One Customer at a Time." Guided by our values—Own It, Commit to Excellence, Be Agile, Speak Up, and Better Together. We are a diverse team driven by integrity, accountability, and a commitment to exceptional results. We embrace change, prioritize continuous learning, and foster collaboration, transparency, and healthy debate. Together, we set each other up for success to achieve enterprise-wide goals.

What You Gain

Leaders who are invested in supporting your accelerated career growth

An inclusive working environment where you can build meaningful work relationships with a diverse group of professionals. Take advantage of opportunities to build on our team-oriented culture, such as joining one of our Employee Resource Groups.

401(k) program, if eligible

Job Description

About the Opportunity

TreeHouse Foods is seeking two Packaging Engineer Co-Op students to support the Packaging Engineering and Research & Development teams at our Oak Brook, IL corporate office. One co-op position will run from January 2027 through June 2027, and the second will run from June 2027 through December 2027. In this role, students will assist with the design, development, validation, and implementation of new packaging solutions, line extensions, product improvements, cost savings initiatives, and technical service projects. The co-op experience will provide hands-on exposure to packaging development and collaboration with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative packaging solutions that support TreeHouse Foods' business objectives.

Key Responsibilities and Opportunities

Performs technical assignments of simple to moderate complexity under supervision (technical soundness and overall objective achievement). Level of supervision will begin at a high level and decrease over time.

Collaborates with RDI groups to achieve project objectives.

Research information for and issue packaging specifications, in-process control points and establish testing requirements and operating guidelines.

Learn and provide technical knowledge on cross-functional project teams and technical oversight of internal and external manufacturing start-ups and ongoing technical service.

Participates in tests, collection, and analysis of data on new products.

Assist in the execution of packaging projects, including innovation, sustainability, cost savings, quality improvements, operations support, and some new product development. There will be exposure to the different stages of the commercialization process for these projects as well.

Begin to develop skills in project management, negotiation, communication, technical problem solving, as well as begin to further develop technical skills.

Qualifications

2 years completed in college packaging curriculum & currently enrolled in that curriculum.

Experience with special software or equipment such as OPS/CAPE is preferred.

Ability to interact and collaborate with RDI groups, external resources, suppliers and consultants to achieve project objectives.

Aptitude for project management, negotiation and technical team management skills.

Proficient written and verbal communications skills.

Solid problem-solving skills through collaboration and application of technical skills.

Basic understanding and experience with paperboard, corrugate, film, plastics and glass packaging materials.

Important Details

The anticipated compensation for this position is $23-$24 per hour. This is the salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics and business or organizational needs. For certain roles, the successful candidate may be eligible for annual discretionary merit compensation award, bonus and equity pay.

This position is based in our Oak Brook, IL office, on a hybrid schedule.

We are looking to fill two positions: January 2027 – June 2027 and June 2027 – December 2027. Please visit our booth at the MSU packaging career fair on October 27th, 2026, from 1pm-5pm.

Your TreeHouse Foods Career is Just a Click Away!

Click on the “Apply” button or go directly to www.treehousefoods.com/careers to let us know you’re ready to join our team!

At TreeHouse Foods, we embrace diversity and inclusion for innovation and growth. We are committed to building inclusive teams and an equitable workplace for our employees to bring their true selves to work to help us “Engage and Delight – One Customer at a Time”. TreeHouse Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran