Application Development Manager - Flexibles

TOPPAN Packaging Americas; Clifton (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan with company"s

Wellbeing tools and resources

Paid time off and holidays

Insurance plans including life and dis

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

TOPPAN Packaging Americas is seeking an Application Development Manager for the Flexibles Division to act as the primary technical liaison between customers and TOPPAN. This role oversees all development and technical service activities at assigned accounts, driving cost-effective, safe, and sustainable packaging solutions.

You will work with the Commercial Team to commercialize opportunities, lead technical efforts to expand sales, build strong customer relationships, and ensure the portfolio

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Packaging, or Plastics.
• 5–10 years of Flexible Packaging Product Development and manufacturing processes (printing, laminating, coating, slitting, pouching, FFS).
• Experience developing packaging for retort, hot fill, and liquid applications.

Responsibilities

• Identify and commercialize flexible packaging opportunities with the Commercial Team.
• Lead technical activities to expand sales, develop new structures, reduce costs, and improve performance.
• Build and maintain strong technical customer relations and translate requirements into TOPPAN specs.
• Define project success criteria, analyze data, and provide technical recommendations for fast-paced projects.
• Develop pilot, production, and filling/packing trials and publish trial reports.

Skills

Material science

Project management

Customer relations

New product development

Flexible packaging

Education

BS in Engineering/Packaging/Plastics

Job description

TOPPAN Packaging Americas specializes in designing and manufacturing sustainable, high-performance flexible and thermoformed packaging solutions for the food, beverage, medical and consumer goods industries. We offer products like transparent high barrier films, pouches, clamshells and trays, utilizing advanced technology to enhance product safety, visibility and environmental sustainability.

TOPPAN Packaging Americas operates as part of the global TOPPAN group, with 22 manufacturing facilities across North America, Latin America and Europe.

Want to learn more? Visit us at packaging.toppan.com

NOTE: Role might change based on candidates experience

Summary Description:

The Application Development Manager for the Flexibles Division is the main technical contact between the customer and TOPPAN. This position is responsible for all development and technical service activities at assigned accounts/markets. The packaging technology team is constantly iterating, solving problems, and working together to develop packaging solutions that are cost-effective, product-safety complaint, more sustainable, and satisfy customers’ needs.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Working closely with the Commercial Team to identify and successfully commercialize flexible packaging opportunities at targeted accounts.
• Leading technical activities to expand sales of existing structures, develop new flexible packaging structures, drive cost savings, and improve product performance.
• Building and maintaining strong technical customer relations.
• Translating customer requirements to TOPPAN specifications and developing manufacturing instructions.
• Ensuring portfolio is aligned with the business priorities and the needs of the customer.
• Defining project success criteria, draw conclusions based on data, make technical recommendations, and manage projects. Projects are often fast paced with high visibility.
• Developing and leading pilot, production, and filling/packing trials. Publishing trial reports for internal and/or external distribution.
• Coordinating activities to accomplish tasks using available internal and external resources.
• Providing routine technical service activity.
• Preparing written and verbal presentations, project plans, updates, and periodic reports for internal and external use.
• Traveling domestically and internationally to manufacturing plants, suppliers, customers, conferences, and other innovation partners.
• Maintaining complete and accurate work records, including documentation for intellectual property protection.

This is a REMOTE position. West Coast, Texas, Northeast, Chicago, Midwest area. Easy access to a major airport is required.

We’d love to hear from you if:

• Strong material science knowledge (OPP, PET, PE films, Nylon, paper, and foil laminations)
• New product development, flexible packaging applications, project management, and customer relationships.
• Extensive experience in key growth areas in food packaging such as retort, hot fill, hard-to-hold products, personal care, home care, and consumer healthcare packaging are requirements for this position.
• Bachelor of Science, preferably in Engineering, Food Science, Packaging, or Plastics related field
• 5-10 years of Flexible Packaging Product Development and manufacturing processes. Processes include printing (roto/flexo), laminating (adhesive and extrusion), coating, slitting, pouching and form/fill/seal conversion.
• 5-10 years of development of packaging for retort, hot fill, hard to hold, liquid applications.

At TOPPAN Packaging Americas, We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to support our employees’ overall wellbeing. This includes competitive pay, robust benefits, and programs that help you thrive both personally and professionally. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary based on your work location, employment classification, or collective bargaining agreement .

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
• Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
• Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We are committed to providing a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to contribute to their fullest potential. We also provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment processes. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us.