Director Paper & Pulp Center for Innovation

Sabert Corporation; Greenville (TX); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Life insurance

Job summary

Sabert Corporation is seeking a CFI Director - Pulp & Paper to lead the technology agenda for molded fiber and paper solutions. This hybrid role drives innovation from concept to commercialization, balancing performance, sustainability, and manufacturability while stewarding a cross-functional team.

You will own the technical portfolio, define barriers and coatings strategy, and oversee labs, pilots, and trials, ensuring food-contact compliance and scalable processes.

Qualifications

• BS or equivalent degree in Paper Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 10-15+ years in pulp/paper or molded fiber packaging R&D with proven commercialization record.
• Expertise in forming processes, barrier coatings/laminations, and converting.
• Strong command of material testing (TAPPI/ASTM), food-contact compliance, and reliability engineering.
• Demonstrated leadership in stage-gate, portfolio management, and cross-functional program delivery.
• Experience with sustainability frameworks (FSC/PEFC, recyclability/composability claims, LCA).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute Sabert's pulp and paper innovation strategy aligned with growth and sustainability goals
• Lead development of new molded fiber and paperboard solutions, including high-heat, sealable, and barrier-enhanced technologies
• Drive end-to-end product development from concept through pilot and full-scale commercialization using stage-gate processes
• Advance barrier coatings, laminations, and material technologies to improve performance and differentiation
• Oversee R&D labs, pilot trials, and testing standards (TAPPI, ASTM, food-contact compliance)
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Commercial, Marketing, and Procurement to bring innovations to market
• Support manufacturing scale-up and define critical process parameters for successful production
• Lead sustainability initiatives including fiber sourcing (FSC/PEFC), recyclability, composability, and lifecycle assessments
• Build and develop a high-performing technical team while managing budgets, capital projects, and innovation pipelines

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Stage-gate leadership

Portfolio management

Communication skills

Education

BS in Paper Science / Materials Science / Chemical Engineering

Job description

Brief Description

The CFI Director - Pulp & Paper is a hybrid opportunity that leads Sabert's pulp and paper technical innovation agenda, developing new platforms and products, advancing barrier/coating technologies, and improving performance, sustainability, and manufacturability of molded fiber and paper solutions. The role owns the Pulp & Paper technical portfolio from concept to commercialization through Sabert's stage-gate governance, partnering cross-functionally to deliver growth and margin expansion while meeting food contact, performance, and environmental standards.

Job Responsibilities

• Define and execute Sabert's pulp and paper innovation strategy aligned with growth and sustainability goals
• Lead development of new molded fiber and paperboard solutions, including high-heat, sealable, and barrier-enhanced technologies
• Drive end-to-end product development from concept through pilot and full-scale commercialization using stage-gate processes
• Advance barrier coatings, laminations, and material technologies to improve performance and differentiation
• Oversee R&D labs, pilot trials, and testing standards (TAPPI, ASTM, food-contact compliance)
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Commercial, Marketing, and Procurement to bring innovations to market
• Support manufacturing scale-up and define critical process parameters for successful production
• Lead sustainability initiatives including fiber sourcing (FSC/PEFC), recyclability, composability, and lifecycle assessments
• Build and develop a high-performing technical team while managing budgets, capital projects, and innovation pipelines

Qualifications

• BS or equivalent degree in Paper Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field
• 10-15+ years in pulp/paper or molded fiber packaging R&D with proven commercialization record
• Expertise in forming processes, barrier coatings/laminations, and converting
• Strong command of material testing (TAPPI/ASTM), food-contact compliance, and reliability engineering
• Demonstrated leadership in stage-gate, portfolio management, and cross-functional program delivery
• Experience with sustainability frameworks (FSC/PEFC, recyclability/composability claims, LCA)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Preferred

• Experience in sustainable packaging or related industries.
• Background in supply chain, operations, or manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with Lean or continuous improvement methodologies

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and influencing abilities across all organizational levels
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Passion for sustainability and innovation in packaging solution

Pay, Benefits And More.

• Sabert is eager to attract the best, so we offer competitive compensation and a generous benefits package, including full health insurance (medical, dental and vision), 401(k), life insurance, disability and more.

Learn More About Sabert

We are a leading global manufacturer of innovative food packaging products and solutions. The company was founded in 1983 grounded in the purpose of reinventing food packaging to nourish and protect our world. Today we design, manufacture, and distribute a wide spectrum of packaging solutions for food distributors, restaurants & caterers, grocery stores, national food chains and consumer entertaining.

We’re committed to providing reasonable accommodation for applicants with special needs or disabilities during our recruiting process, to learn more about accommodations please call [phone] or email [e-mail] for assistance.

Sabert Corporation is an equal employment opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, marital status, being a qualified individual with a disability, protected veteran status, political belief or activity, or any other basis prohibited by law or regulation.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work legally in the United States for Sabert. Sabert will not commence an employment-based immigration case to fill this open position