Application Development Manager - Flexibles

Toppan Flexible Packaging Inc; South Carolina; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan with company 
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Wellbeing tools and resources

Paid time off and holidays

Company-paid and voluntary insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Toppan Flexible Packaging Inc is seeking an Application Development Manager for the Flexibles Division. This remote role interfaces between customers and TOPPAN, managing development and technical service activities across accounts and markets.

You will lead new packaging structures, coordinate trials, and maintain strong customer relations while traveling to manufacturing plants, suppliers, and customers worldwide to ensure product safety and sustainability goals are met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Engineering, Food Science, Packaging or Plastics related field.
• 5–10 years in Flexible Packaging Product Development and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with retort, hot fill, and liquid packaging applications is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Identify and commercialize flexible packaging opportunities with commercial teams.
• Lead technical activities to expand sales, develop new packaging structures, and drive cost savings.
• Build and maintain strong technical customer relations and translate requirements to TOPPAN specifications.
• Define project success criteria, analyze data, and provide recommendations.
• Lead pilot, production, and filling/packing trials; publish trial reports.
• Travel domestically and internationally to plants, suppliers, customers, and events.

Skills

Material science knowledge

New product development

Project management

Customer relationships

Flexible packaging

Industrial packaging

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Food Science, Packaging, or Plastics related field

Tools

Printing (rotor/flexo)

Laminating (adhesive)

Laminating (extrusion)

Coating

Slitting

Pouching

Form/Fill/Seal

Job description

Summary

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 and markets. The packaging technology team constantly iterates, solves problems, and develops cost-effective, product-safety compliant, and sustainable packaging solutions that satisfy customers’ needs.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Commercial Team to identify and successfully commercialize flexible packaging opportunities at targeted accounts.
• Lead technical activities to expand sales of existing structures, develop new flexible packaging structures, drive cost savings, and improve product performance.
• Build and maintain strong technical customer relations.
• Translate customer requirements to TOPPAN specifications and develop manufacturing instructions.
• Ensure portfolio is aligned with the business priorities and the needs of the customer.
• Define project success criteria, draw conclusions based on data, make technical recommendations, and manage projects.
• Projects are often fast‑paced with high visibility.
• Develop and lead pilot, production, and filling/packing trials.
• Publish trial reports for internal and/or external distribution.
• Coordinate activities to accomplish tasks using available internal and external resources.
• Provide routine technical service activity.
• Prepare written and verbal presentations, project plans, updates, and periodic reports for internal and external use.
• Travel domestically and internationally to manufacturing plants, suppliers, customers, conferences, and other innovation partners.
• Maintain complete and accurate work records, including documentation for intellectual property protection.

Location

This is a remote position, with required access to major airports across the West Coast, Texas, Northeast, Chicago, and Midwest. The role requires domestic and international travel to manufacturing plants, suppliers, customers, conferences, and other innovation partners.

Prerequisites and Qualifications

• Strong material science knowledge (OPP, PET, PE films, Nylon, paper, and foil laminations).
• Experience in new product development and flexible packaging applications, project management, and customer relationships.
• Extensive experience in food packaging growth areas such as retort, hot fill, hard-to-hold products, personal care, home care, and consumer healthcare packaging.
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Food Science, Packaging, or Plastics related field.
• 5‑10 years of Flexible Packaging Product Development and manufacturing processes, including printing (rotor/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, and liquid applications.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee and dependents, including FSA and HSA options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Wellbeing tools and resources, including an Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Company‑paid and voluntary employee‑paid insurance, including life, personal accident, and disability.
• Tuition reimbursement.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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.