Director of Innovation

Tekni-Plex, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

TekniPlex, Inc. seeks a Director of Innovation to lead applied material science for NA Fresh Food, driving platform technologies from proof of concept through validation, scale-up, and commercialization.

This strategic role oversees Material Scientists, Engineers, and Lab Technicians and collaborates with Marketing, Product Management, the Global Innovation Center, and PMO. The role emphasizes formulation development, statistical DOE, data analysis, and technology translation into commercial

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Chemistry or related field is required.
• Minimum of 10 years bringing new materials to market.
• Minimum of 5 years leading technical teams.
• Experience in formulation development, statistical design of experiments, data analysis, and technical validation.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Material Scientists, Engineers, and Lab Technicians to develop and commercialize material platforms for NA Fresh Food.
• Serve as hands-on technical leader for strategic material programs, including formulation development, DOE, data analysis, and technical validation across packaging.
• Lead material investigations with strategic suppliers to identify new technologies for innovation and growth.
• Partner with Global Innovation Center to transition new platforms from concept to Fresh Food applications.
• Collaborate with Product Management and Marketing to define technology/market roadmaps and ideate with customers.
• Support project prioritization, technical readiness, risk management, and commercialization handoffs with the PMO.
• Define measurement systems correlating lab tests to customer-use conditions and manufacturability.
• Work with Operations and Quality to ensure technical feasibility and commercial relevance of new materials.
• Coach the team to improve methods, support IP, and promote continuous learning.

Skills

Team leadership

Formulation development

Statistical DOE

Data analysis

Packaging technology

Education

Master’s degree in Chemistry

Job description

Imagine: A Career with Purpose and Possibility

Picture this: You are part of a global team of problem-solvers whose innovations in materials science can make life better. Every day, you help turn ideas into impact using science, technology, and creativity to tackle real-world challenges. You’re part of a company whose work helps improve patient outcomes in healthcare and protects essential consumer goods that people around the world rely on every day.

At TekniPlex, you’ll join more than 9,000 colleagues across 12 countries, all united by one purpose: creating safer, smarter solutions that touch daily life. Through our two divisions, TekniPlex Healthcare and TekniPlex Consumer Products, you’ll help shape industries that matter: healthcare, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, beauty, and personal care.

Here, your ideas count and your work matters. You’ll be encouraged to think boldly, collaborate across cultures, and keep growing every step of the way. You will help protect the integrity of essential products, support patient safety and comfort, and contribute to innovations that make everyday life better, all while building a career that makes an impact.

Because at TekniPlex, you don’t just deliver products – you help shape what’s next.

What is the role where you will make a strategic impact?

Director of Innovation :

The Director of Innovation will lead applied material science innovation for NA Fresh Food, advancing platform technologies from proof of concept through validation, scale-up support, and commercialization.

This strategic player-coach role will provide hands-on technical leadership while managing Material Scientists, Engineers, and Lab Technicians, partnering closely with Marketing, Product Management, the Global Innovation Center (GIC), Operations, and the Project Management Office (PMO).

The role will focus on material investigations, formulation, statistical experimental design, and development of technologies across rigid thermoforming and foam packaging.

What will you do in this newly created role?

• Lead a team of Material Scientists, Engineers, and Lab Technicians to develop and commercialize material science platforms for NA Fresh Food.
• Serve as a hands‑on technical leader for strategic material programs, including formulation development, statistical experimental design, data analysis, and technical validation. Develop material platforms across rigid thermoforming, foam packaging, inks and sustainable materials.
• Lead material investigations with strategic suppliers and vendors to identify new technologies that support innovation, sustainability, and profitable growth.
• Partner with the Global Innovation Director and GIC to transition new technology platforms from proof of concept into Fresh Food applications.
• Partner with Product Management and Marketing to define Technology/Market Roadmaps and support internal and customer-facing ideation.
• Work closely with the PMO to support project prioritization, technical readiness assessment, risk management, and commercialization handoffs.
• Define and apply measurement systems that correlate laboratory and pilot plant testing to customer‑use conditions, product performance, manufacturability, and technical readiness.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, and Procurement to ensure new material platforms are technically feasible, manufacturable, and commercially relevant.
• Build organizational technical capability by coaching the team, improving technical methods, supporting IP activities, and promoting disciplined experimentation and continuous learning.

What skills do you bring to the team?

• Master’s degree in Chemistry or higher required; related technical disciplines such as Polymer Science, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, or similar fields will also be considered.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience bringing new materials, formulations, technologies, or innovations to market.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading high-performing technical teams.
• Demonstrated experience in formulation development, statistical experimental design, technical validation, and data analysis.
• Experience translating material science concepts into commercial products or platforms.
• Experience in rigid plastics, foam packaging, and inks or related packaging technologies is preferred.
• Experience working within Stage‑Gate and Agile product development environments is preferred.
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing or packaging commercialization is strongly preferred.

What leadership characteristics will you have?

• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop high-performing technical teams.
• Strong collaboration and influence skills across NPD, Marketing, Product Management, PMO, Operations, Quality, Procurement, Sales, and suppliers.
• Ability to translate market needs into technical roadmaps, material development programs, and commercially viable innovation.
• Ability to correlate lab and pilot plant testing to customer‑use conditions, product performance, manufacturability, and technical readiness.
• Strong business acumen, prioritization, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical reporting and executive‑level communication.

The compensation range for this position is $180k-$193 plus a target MIP bonus of 16%.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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