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Packaging Specialist- Illinois

3M · IL · Remote available · $142,479–$174,141 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you grew business with a multi-location end user. How did you expand beyond the first site?

What they are checking: Whether they can turn one win into broader account penetration.

Tell me about how you set your own sales goals and tracked progress against them.

What they are checking: Whether they manage their pipeline with discipline and own their numbers.

Tell me about a deal you lost. What did you learn?

What they are checking: Whether they reflect honestly on losses and adjust their approach.

How do you plan a week of travel across a large territory?

What they are checking: Whether they manage time and travel efficiently to maximize customer contact.

What would you do

You'd develop end users in Food and Beverage, Healthcare and e-fulfillment across Illinois. How would you build your target list in the first month?

What they are checking: Whether they plan territory development with focus rather than calling at random.

A food and beverage plant is happy with a competitor's tape. How do you open the conversation?

What they are checking: Whether they lead with the customer's line problems, such as case failures and downtime, rather than product pitches.

How would you coordinate with the packaging sales team and inside sales so customers don't get mixed messages?

What they are checking: Whether they can share accounts and work as a team instead of guarding territory.

How do you prove the value of a higher-priced packaging solution to a buyer focused on unit cost?

What they are checking: Whether they can build a total cost case using downtime, damage and labor savings.

About the work

How do you work with channel partners and distributors when you're selling to the end user directly?

What they are checking: Whether they understand channel dynamics and avoid undercutting the partners who fulfill orders.

What packaging problems do e-fulfillment operations care about most?

What they are checking: Whether they understand speed, damage rates, labor and right-sizing in fulfillment centers.

A healthcare customer has strict validation requirements for any packaging change. How does that change your sales process?

What they are checking: Whether they understand longer, regulated buying cycles and plan for trials and approvals.

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The full job description

As published by 3M.

Job Description: Packaging Specialist- Illinois Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers. This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career. The Impact You’ll Make in this Role As a Packaging Specialist for the Illinois Territory, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by: • Leads the development of new and existing end user customers, focused on the packaging portfolio of solutions while also developing opportunities at multi-location end users within the Food & Beverage, Healthcare, and e-fulfillment markets. • Implements collaboration with the packaging sales team as well as inside sales resources to engage on new opportunities with end users and channel partners. • Determines sales goals and utilizes resources and tactics to meet and exceed sales objectives. • Supports relationships with key personnel at multiple levels in the buying process to attain territory sales goals and generate leads for new business. • Provides input in the development of short- and long-term growth targets that align with existing business plans and strategies for greater territory and account penetration. Company Vehicle This position requires driving a company vehicle, which will require pre-employment and ongoing review of motor vehicle history for candidates who are offered and hired for this position. Your Skills and Expertise To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start) • Three (3) year of field sales experience independently managing a specified territory in a private, public, government or military environment • Current, Valid Driver’s license is required, as you will be issued a company vehicle for this position. Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include: • Master's degree in Business or Sales Development • Experience within the packaging industry working through distribution • Five (5) years of professional field sales experience and collaboration responsibilities in a private, public, government or military environment. Work Location: • Remote - Chicago, Illinois • Territory: Illinios Travel: May include up to 25% Domestic Relocation Assistance: May be authorized Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status). Supporting Your Well-being 3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope. Chat with Max For assistance with searching through our current job openings or for more information about all things 3M, visit Max, our virtual recruiting Applicable to US Applicants Only:The expected compensation range for this position is $142,479 - $174,141, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/. Good Faith Posting Date Range 09/22/2026 To 10/22/2026 Or until filled All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M. Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties. Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement. Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/ 3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly. 3M Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement Carefully read these Terms of Use before using this website. Your access to and use of this website and application for a job at 3M are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms. Please click on the following links and select the country where you are applying for employment to review the applicable Terms of Use (link here) and Privacy Policy (link here) . Before submitting your application, you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.

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