Innovation Expert

adapa Group; Gambassi Terme; Presencial; EUR 30.000 - 35.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

adapa Group in Gambassi Terme is seeking an Innovation Expert, Extrusion Films to drive local product innovation, coordinate blown film coextrusion up to 9 layers and apply Design for Recycling principles. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, translate customer needs into market-ready solutions, and support extrusion line operations on site.

You will also manage technical documentation, ensure compliance with PPWR, and contribute to sustainability goals while delivering hands-on

Formación

• A degree in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry or a comparable technical field.
• At least 2 years of professional experience in product development, coextrusion, MDO technology or related field.
• Strong knowledge of packaging films, polymers used in the packaging industry and extrusion processes.
• Hands-on approach to implementing new products and raw materials on production lines.
• Experience in process optimisation and technical troubleshooting.
• Strong customer orientation and confidence in working with key accounts.
• Good command of English, with the ability to deliver effective presentations and technical training.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Collaborative mindset combined with self-confidence and accountability.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work autonomously.
• Willingness to travel, approximately 10% of the time.

Responsabilidades

• Drive, coordinate and document local product innovation projects.
• Assess customer-driven projects from both a technical and commercial perspective during the approval phase.
• Manage the technical input of product recipes into the ERP system.
• Apply Design for Recycling principles and support compliance with PPWR requirements.
• Translate specific customer needs into innovative and market-oriented product solutions.
• Prepare and manage technical documentation, including product data sheets, Life Cycle Assessments and Product Carbon Footprints.
• Ensure that newly developed products comply with relevant legislation and recyclability standards.
• Develop alternative solutions for existing products to support future regulatory and sustainability compliance.
• Use reporting tools to monitor project workloads, time and resources, and define suitable innovation KPIs.
• Collaborate with adapa’s Innovation Converting Team on joint projects and extrusion-related requirements across key market segments.
• Work closely with the local Engineering team to assess the suitability of technologies and equipment for newly developed products.
• Provide hands‑on support on extrusion lines, including process optimisation, troubleshooting and the implementation of new products and raw materials.

Conocimientos

Coextrusion

MDO technology

Product development

Project management

Packaging films

English communication

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering or equivalent

Herramientas

ERP systems

Descripción del empleo

Are you passionate about flexible packaging, extrusion technologies and sustainable product development?

For our adapa ITG production facility in Gambassi Terme, we are looking for an Innovation Expert, Extrusion Films to manage and coordinate local innovation activities related to blown film coextrusion, up to 9 layers, and MDO technology.

The extruded semi-finished products developed at the site are primarily supplied to adapa’s internal converting facilities, as well as to external customers in the converting industry.

Your role

As Innovation Expert, you will connect technology, customer needs and sustainability, ensuring that local innovation activities are aligned with the strategic goals of the adapa Group.

You will drive product innovation projects, support the development of customer-specific solutions and act as a trusted technical partner for strategic key accounts. You will also collaborate closely with local and international teams across Innovation, Operations, Quality, Sales, Procurement, Sustainability, Engineering and Marketing.

Your main responsibilities

• Drive, coordinate and document local product innovation projects
• Assess customer-driven projects from both a technical and commercial perspective during the approval phase
• Manage the technical input of product recipes into the ERP system
• Apply Design for Recycling principles and support compliance with PPWR requirements
• Translate specific customer needs into innovative and market-oriented product solutions
• Prepare and manage technical documentation, including product data sheets, Life Cycle Assessments and Product Carbon Footprints
• Ensure that newly developed products comply with relevant legislation and recyclability standards
• Develop alternative solutions for existing products to support future regulatory and sustainability compliance
• Use reporting tools to monitor project workloads, time and resources, and define suitable innovation KPIs
• Collaborate with adapa’s Innovation Converting Team on joint projects and extrusion-related requirements across key market segments
• Work closely with the local Engineering team to assess the suitability of technologies and equipment for newly developed products
• Provide hands‑on support on extrusion lines, including process optimisation, troubleshooting and the implementation of new products and raw materials

Key collaborations

In this role, you will work closely with:

• Operations: daily technical support on extrusion lines
• Quality: innovation support in claim management and audits
• Sales: project prioritisation, customer meetings and industrial trials
• Procurement: raw material qualification in line with the purchasing strategy
• Sustainability: Design for Recycling, PPWR, Product Carbon Footprint and Life Cycle Assessment
• Marketing: technical and editorial input for magazines, exhibitions, brochures and other communication activities

What you bring

• A degree in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry or a comparable technical field
• At least 2 years of professional experience in product development, coextrusion, MDO technology or a related field
• Strong knowledge of packaging films, polymers used in the packaging industry and extrusion processes
• A practical, hands‑on approach to implementing new products and raw materials on production lines
• Experience in process optimisation and technical troubleshooting
• Strong customer orientation and confidence in working with key accounts
• Good command of English, with the ability to deliver effective presentations and technical training
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills
• A collaborative mindset combined with self‑confidence and accountability
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work autonomously
• Willingness to travel, approximately 10% of the time

Why join us?

You will have the opportunity to contribute directly to the development of innovative flexible packaging solutions, working in an international environment and collaborating with experts across the adapa Group.

Annual gross salary 30.000 - 35.0000 eur