Innovation and Technology Development Manager

Job Summary:

The Innovation & Technology Development Manager is responsible for leading the research, development, commercialization, and continuous advancement of molded fiber products, materials, and manufacturing technologies. This role serves as the technical leader for innovation initiatives across the organization, driving the evaluation of emerging fiber technologies, sustainable materials, manufacturing processes, coatings, additives, and equipment platforms.

The position bridges research and development with commercial manufacturing, leading projects from concept generation through pilot-scale validation and full-scale industrial implementation. The role will establish and manage an innovation pipeline focused on improving product performance, sustainability, manufacturability, and cost competitiveness while advancing the company's leadership position in molded fiber packaging and foodservice solutions. The role is largely based out of the

Working closely with customers, suppliers, universities, equipment manufacturers, and internal cross-functional teams, this individual will identify industry trends, evaluate new technologies, develop strategic roadmaps, and create intellectual property that supports long-term business growth.

Essential Duties

Innovation & Technology Leadership

• Create and maintain a culture of safety within the team
• Develop and execute the company's molded fiber technology and innovation roadmap.
• Lead research programs focused on next-generation molded fiber products, advanced materials, barrier technologies, and sustainable packaging solutions.
• Identify emerging technologies, market trends, and disruptive innovations relevant to molded fiber manufacturing.
• Evaluate opportunities for intellectual property development, patents, and proprietary manufacturing capabilities.
• Build relationships with universities, research institutions, technology providers, and industry organizations.
• Monitor competitive technologies and benchmark industry-leading manufacturing approaches.
• Establish stage-gate development processes for new technologies and product innovation projects.
• Maintain a culture of continuous improvement

Research & Development

• Lead evaluation and development of new fiber sources, pulps, additives, binders, coatings, and sustainable materials.
• Design and oversee laboratory, pilot, and production-scale trials.
• Direct research activities related to product performance, moisture resistance, grease resistance, strength optimization, and compostability.
• Develop processes for rapid experimentation and accelerated commercialization of new technologies.
• Support customer-driven innovation projects and customized product development.
• Collaborate with marketing and commercial teams to identify emerging customer needs and convert them into development opportunities.
• Validate new technologies and manufacturing methods through statistical analysis and structured experimentation.

Technology Commercialization and Advanced Process Development

• Lead scale-up of new products and technologies from laboratory and prototype stages through commercial production.
• Develop technical specifications, process requirements, and operating windows for new products.
• Work closely with manufacturing teams to transition innovations into standard production.
• Identify manufacturing capability gaps and recommend investments in technology, automation, and equipment.
• Support capital projects involving new manufacturing technologies and process platforms.
• Establish validation protocols and success criteria for technology implementation.
• Provide technical support to customers and suppliers as needed.
• Participate in development of annual capital budget to support the business plan
• Prepare Capital Authorization Requests (CAR) when required with effective project explanation, justification, project timeline and ROI calculation; prepare detailed presentation of CAR to management for approval.
• Handle other projects or duties as assigned and recommend engineering or innovation solutions to improve productivity.
• Evaluate options for pulp manufacturing processes, including options regarding raw materials.
• Provide recommendations related to all technical, innovation, or engineering aspects of pulp manufacturing.
• Research and evaluate innovative forming, drying, finishing, trimming, and coating technologies.
• Investigate automation, robotics, AI-enabled process controls, machine vision, and digital manufacturing applications.
• Develop novel manufacturing approaches designed to improve throughput, quality, sustainability, and product functionality.
• Identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, water usage, raw material costs, and overall environmental impact.
• Lead technology scouting efforts for equipment suppliers, startups, and emerging manufacturing solutions.

Management Support

• Fosters a positive team environment through open and ongoing communications, ensuring an atmosphere of teamwork, clear standards for objectives, ownership of goals within direct reports and with cross functional teams.
• Introduce and support process improvements to ensure new processes/procedures are fully adopted.
• Ensure delivery of training for appropriate personnel on new equipment and processes.
• Establish training modules to ensure operators can maintain standard operating conditions and operate the equipment safely. The modules will have classroom and on-the-job elements. Testing will be conducted to ensure clear understanding and compliance.
• Lead and assist in the training of the operating staff.
• Communicate performance measurements to operating personnel.
• Lateral and upward communication to the plant leadership team for current and future state of equipment installation and facility expansion.
• Propose process improvements/upgrades to the leadership team with comparative options for vendors and suppliers.

External Collaboration & Industry Leadership

• Develop strategic relationships with suppliers, equipment manufacturers, converters, universities, and research organizations.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, technical symposiums, and trade associations.
• Participate in standards development and sustainability initiatives relevant to molded fiber packaging.
• Maintain awareness of regulatory developments affecting food contact materials, compostability standards, and sustainable packaging legislation.
• Serve as the company's technical expert for molded fiber innovation and sustainable materials technologies.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong knowledge of pulp and paper manufacturing processes, materials, additives, and equipment.
• Strong project management skills: excellent organizational skills with ability to focus on details.
• Must have solid communication and leadership skills.
• Must have ability to influence at all levels within the organization to achieve project goals.
• Logical and creative thinker; excellent problem-solving skills.
• Strong analytical thinking
• Capable of effective communication and team building to enhance project coordination.
• Ability and willingness to travel, including extended trips as needed.

Required Education and Experience:

• BS Degree or greater in Pulp Engineering or a related Engineering field (Paper or Chemical Engineering preferred)
• Minimum 5 years' experience in manufacturing or engineering roles, in the pulp/paper industry.
• Prior project management experience: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
• Prior experience working on a start-up or significant plant expansion.

Deliverable:

• Sustainable and reliable Process
• Establish SOC and process parameters and ensure all involved are properly trained.
• Continuous Improvement to reduce cost
• Raw Material and additive sourcing
• Efficiency Improvements (conversion costs)
• Commercialization of new products and technologies.
• Development of differentiated intellectual property and proprietary processes.
• Revenue generated from new product introductions.
• Reduction in manufacturing costs through innovative technologies.
• Successful implementation of new materials and sustainable solutions.
• Growth of technology partnerships and innovation pipeline.
• Improvement of product performance and customer value proposition.