Application Development Manager - Flexibles

TOPPAN Packaging Americas; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

TOPPAN Packaging Americas is hiring an Application Development Manager for the Flexibles Division. This remote role requires strong material science knowledge and extensive experience in flexible packaging development. The successful candidate will manage technical service activities and collaborate closely with customers.

Responsibilities include commercializing flexible packaging opportunities, maintaining customer relationships, and leading projects for product development. Key qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree and 5-10 years of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of Flexible Packaging Product Development experience.
• Extensive experience in food packaging growth areas like condiments and dairy.
• Experience with various processes including printing, laminating, and form/fill/seal.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical activities for flexible packaging at targeted accounts.
• Build and maintain customer relations and translate requirements.
• Prepare presentations and manage projects with defined success criteria.

Skills

Material science knowledge

Project management

Customer relationships

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Food Science, Packaging or 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.

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 compliant, 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, drawing conclusions based on data, making technical recommendations, and managing 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.

Qualifications

• 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 condiments, dairy, produce, chilled, liquid packaging, lidding, and portion control packaging are required 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 condiments, produce, dairy, chilled, and liquid applications.

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.