Corporate R&D Manager

Hood Packaging Corp; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance

Short- and Long-Term Disability

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation

Retirement Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Professional Development

Job summary

Hood Packaging Corporation is seeking an experienced Corporate Research & Development Manager to lead cross-functional product development, resin blend optimization, and continuous improvement across our Plastics facilities in Atlanta. You will coordinate trials, work with manufacturing, supply chain, and customers to deliver innovative, cost-effective packaging solutions.

The role requires strong technical leadership, project management, and collaboration with the DRD team and procurement to

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate product development and technical service activities across the Plastics Division.
• Plan, coordinate, and track plant trials, customer qualifications, and the commercialization of new products and technologies.
• Improve existing products through film-structure design, material optimization, process evaluation, testing, and performance validation.
• Work closely with the DRD and Vice President of Procurement team overseeing evaluation, testing, certification, and approval of new raw-material sources, additives, and suppliers.
• Partner with Corporate Procurement and suppliers to align sourcing strategies with divisional product, performance, and cost objectives.
• Provide technical recommendations and supporting documentation to assist in approval of raw materials.
• Lead division-wide resin blend optimization, material cost reduction, and technology deployment initiatives.
• Collaborate with Operations, Sales, Product Development personnel, and customers to create products that deliver optimal overall value for Hood Packaging and its customers.
• Provide technical support to customers, Sales teams, and manufacturing facilities on product performance, application requirements, and development projects.
• When requested, support sales through customer visits, technical presentations, product recommendations, and evaluations of new business opportunities.
• Participate in investigations involving product quality, manufacturing performance, customer complaints, and field-performance concerns; support the implementation of corrective actions.
• Help evaluate each plastic plant’s current abilities and equipment needs for QA lab testing.
• Maintain current knowledge of flexible-packaging trends, resin and additive developments, emerging technologies, customer requirements, and competitive capabilities.
• When needed, attend relevant trade shows, technical conferences, supplier meetings, and customer meetings as required.
• Participate in strategic planning and process-improvement initiatives across the Plastics Division.
• Provide short-term product development and technical service coverage at Plastics Division facilities as needed.

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Corporate R&D Manager

CORP - Corporate Active Full-time Full-time Atlanta, GA, US 2 Attachments

HOOD PACKAGING CORPORATION

Hood Packaging Corporation offers an environment that encourages innovation and delivers creative solutions for our customers!

EXCELLENT BENEFIT OPTIONS

• Life Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation
• Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Development

POSITION

Hood Packaging Corporation is seeking an experienced Corporate Research & Development Manager.

SCOPE OF POSITION

The Corporate Research & Development Manager will play a key role in coordinating product development, raw material qualification, resin blend optimization, and continuous improvement activities across all Plastic facilities. The position supports the Director of the Research & Development Division through collaboration while leading development projects, supporting manufacturing operations, and driving continuous improvement initiatives that improve quality, performance, and profitability.

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Product Development and Commercialization

• Lead and coordinate product development and technical service activities across the Plastics Division.
• Plan, coordinate, and track plant trials, customer qualifications, and the commercialization of new products and technologies.
• Improve existing products through film-structure design, material optimization, process evaluation, testing, and performance validation.

Raw Materials, Cost, and Technology

• Work closely with the DRD and Vice President of Procurement team overseeing evaluation, testing, certification, and approval of new raw-material sources, additives, and suppliers.
• Partner with Corporate Procurement and suppliers to align sourcing strategies with divisional product, performance, and cost objectives.
• Provide technical recommendations and supporting documentation to assist in approval of raw materials.
• Lead division-wide resin blend optimization, material cost reduction, and technology deployment initiatives.

Customer, Sales, and Manufacturing Support

• Collaborate with Operations, Sales, Product Development personnel, and customers to create products that deliver optimal overall value for Hood Packaging and its customers.
• Provide technical support to customers, Sales teams, and manufacturing facilities on product performance, application requirements, and development projects.
• When requested, support sales through customer visits, technical presentations, product recommendations, and evaluations of new business opportunities.
• Participate in investigations involving product quality, manufacturing performance, customer complaints, and field-performance concerns; support the implementation of corrective actions.
• Help evaluate each plastic plant’s current abilities and equipment needs for QA lab testing.

Industry Leadership and Divisional Support

• Maintain current knowledge of flexible-packaging trends, resin and additive developments, emerging technologies, customer requirements, and competitive capabilities.
• When needed, attend relevant trade shows, technical conferences, supplier meetings, and customer meetings as required.
• Participate in strategic planning and process-improvement initiatives across the Plastics Division.
• Provide short-term product development and technical service coverage at Plastics Division facilities as needed.

Please review the attachments for more information about the position and benefits.

Hood Packaging Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and considers applications for all positions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, the presence of non-job-related medical condition or handicap, or any other legally protected status.

Attachments (2)

Corporate Research & Development Manager- Plastics 2026-09-02 -Salaried Job Description_ENG.pdf