Manager R&D & Product Development

Trivium Packaging; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a Senior R&D Manager to lead cutting-edge research and development for metal food can product lines. This pivotal role involves driving innovation in can design, materials, and manufacturing processes while ensuring compliance with evolving customer and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will possess extensive R&D experience in metal packaging, particularly in food can manufacturing, and will be instrumental in supporting sustainability goals through innovative packaging solutions. Join a dynamic and multicultural team dedicated to delivering high-quality, safe, and cost-effective packaging solutions.

Qualifications

• 6-8 years of R&D experience in metal packaging, focused on food can manufacturing.
• Strong technical expertise in metal forming and food-grade packaging standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D initiatives for metal food can development and optimization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address customer-specific quality requirements.

Skills

R&D Management

Metal Forming

Coating Systems

Corrosion Protection

Food-Grade Packaging Standards

Project Management

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Materials Science

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Trivium Packaging is aglobal sustainability leader in metal packagingwith more than 60 locations worldwide, nearly 8,000 employees, and an annualrevenue of approximately €3.0 billion. Trivium serves a diverse range of customers in a variety of end markets such as food, seafood, pet food, nutrition, beauty and personal care, household care, and premium beverages.

Trivium wants to shape the industry and has embarked on anambitious transformation journey. In the near term, focus is on building & upskilling the team, deciding where to play & how to win, and increasing financial performance byexecuting the Trivium Business System(commercial, operational, and supply chain excellence). Sustainability is embedded in our materials and in our actions.Trivium has ambitious sustainability targets and focuses exclusively onproducts that are infinitely recyclable. Our company sustainability journey has been awarded with a Platinum medal by EcoVadis, the world’s leading rating agent who allocated this award only to the top 1% of the >75000 companies reviewed. Sustainability is embedded in each and every function at Trivium, it‘s in our DNA. The global head office is at Amsterdam Airport; however, many people work in virtual teams from different countries.Our culture is results-driven, entrepreneurial, informal, and highly multicultural.Our people have a high degree of responsibility.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Senior R&D Manager to lead research and development efforts for our metal food can product lines. This individual will drive innovation in can design, materials, coatings, and manufacturing processes to meet evolving customer, regulatory, and sustainability requirements. The role is central to our mission of delivering high-quality, safe, and cost-effective packaging solutions to the food industry.

Job Duties:

• Lead and manage R&D initiatives focused on the development and optimization of metal food cans, including 2-piece and 3-piece configurations.
• Innovate in areas such as can geometry, metal thinning, coatings, seaming, and double seam integrity.
• Drive improvements in material usage, corrosion resistance, and line efficiency while maintaining food safety compliance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, quality, commercial, and supply chain to bring concepts from lab to plant and address customer-specific quality requirements based on product type.
• Evaluate and implement new materials (e.g., coatings, laminate) in compliance with food safety regulations (FDA).
• Partner with a technical team of engineers and technicians in lab testing, pilot trials, and data analysis.
• Interface with customers to understand application needs, co-develop custom packaging solutions, and address quality standards to present industry-leading, customized solutions (where applicable).
• Support sustainability goals through lightweighting, recyclability, and reduction of hazardous substances.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends, competitive technologies, and regulatory developments.
• Generate technical documentation, project reports, and support intellectual property efforts.
• Coordinate customer/supplier quality complaints and technical reviews.
• Directs the key departmental top line growth projects through all phases from idea conception to commercialization in line with the annual business plan.
• Support product testing initiatives, both internal and in support of customers.
• Evaluate feasibility of changes to coating and steel in accordance with increasing durability of product and profitability.
• Supports finance, supply chain and quality with metal weights, product manufacturing and performance specifications.
• Travel to customer sites and Trivium locations.
• Expected travel: 10-30%
• Perform all other job duties as assigned

Qualifications and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of6-8 years of R&D experience in metal packaging, ideally focused on food can manufacturing.
• Strong technical expertise in metal forming, coating systems, corrosion protection, and food-grade packaging standards.
• Familiarity with 3-piece welding, 2-piece drawing and ironing (D&I), and double seam validation techniques.
• Experience with product testing methods (e.g., EIS, salt spray, retort testing) and food contact compliance.
• Familiarity with project management tools.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and integrity
• Highly organized and motivated self-starter
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)

BRINGING YOUR TRUE SELF TO WORK

To reach our goals, we know we need colleagues at all levels who are truly diverse in every way. That’s why we are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. Our customers come from a wide range of backgrounds, and so do our people and It’s business critical for us to ensure all our people have what they need to perform at their best and can be their true selves at work.