Plastics R&D Manager — Product Innovation & Optimization

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

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