Technical Service Specialist - Plastic Packaging

CPS, Inc.; Johnson City (TN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

M/D/V/401K

Job summary

CPS, Inc. is seeking an experienced polymer scientist to lead Technical Service in the Specialty Plastics division, focusing on extrusion and thermoforming for packaging applications.

You will collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Product Management, R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality to drive commercialization and growth. The role requires deep polymer expertise, customer-facing leadership, and a proven ability to solve processing and performance challenges in medical, consumer goods, and food

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in Materials Science or Engineering, Polymer Science and/or Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field.
• 10+ years of industry experience; BS level candidates with 20+ years will be considered.
• Extensive extrusion and thermoforming experience; processing optimization and commercialization of products.
• Medical packaging and consumer goods packaging experience preferred.
• DOE, structured problem solving, root cause analysis, and troubleshooting methodologies.
• Direct customer contact experience including product trials and launches.

Responsibilities

• Lead extrusion and thermoforming applications as technical leader in Specialty Plastics.
• Engage with customers to drive solution adoption and commercialization.
• Develop and maintain strong technical relationships across the value chain.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Product Management, R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality.
• Translate technical findings into scalable recommendations and best practices.
• Represent company during customer visits, audits, and commercialization discussions.
• Lead lab, pilot, and field validation trials to support product adoption.

Skills

Extrusion

Thermoforming

Processing optimization

Commercialization

Medical packaging

Consumer goods packaging

DOE

Root cause analysis

Customer engagement

Education

PhD or Master’s degree in Materials Science or Engineering, Polymer Science and/or Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field

BS with 20+ years of experience considered

Tools

Job description

Leading specialty chemical company is looking for an experienced polymer scientist to serve as Technical Service Leader in their plastic resins division. If you have expertise in thermoplastic resin chemistry, applications knowledge in thermoforming, and experience working directly with customers in product trials and troubleshooting, this could be a great opportunity for you! Company offers excellent benefits with competitive pay and full relocation assistance; great opportunities for growth!

The Technical Leader serves as the primary technical authority supporting global and regional business strategies for their Specialty Plastics business, with a strong focus on extruded and thermoformed applications across plastic packaging markets including medical /healthcare packaging, consumer goods packaging, food packaging, and civil construction etc. This role is responsible for driving technology adoption, enabling commercialization, supporting strategic growth initiatives, and delivering world-class technical service and development across the value chain.

The leader develops and maintains deep technical relationships with downstream customers and industry partners while collaborating closely with Sales, Marketing, Product Management, R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality organizations. Through advanced expertise in polymer science, extrusion & thermoforming process, application development, and commercialization, this role helps accelerate innovation launches, protect existing business, identify new growth opportunities, and strengthen their market position.

Technology Leadership and Business Development

• Serve as the technical leader for extrusion and thermoforming applications within the Specialty Plastics business, with emphasis on ridge and flexible plastic packaging in medical / healthcare packaging, consumer goods packaging, food packaging, and civil construction etc. markets.
• Support execution of global and regional business strategies through application-focused technology leadership and customer engagement.
• Develop and maintain strong technical relationships across the value chain, including OEMs, brand owners, extruders, thermoformers, converters, and industry influencers.
• Partner with commercial teams to position their technologies and differentiate product offerings through application expertise and technical value creation.
• Identify emerging market trends, unmet customer needs, application drivers, and technology opportunities to support future business growth.

Customer Engagement and Commercialization

• Engage proactively with customers to drive solution adoption and accelerate commercialization opportunities.
• Support opportunity management processes by prioritizing, tracking, and advancing new business, growth, and protect opportunities.
• Utilize consultative selling and value-based communication techniques to effectively demonstrate technical and commercial benefits.
• Translate customer requirements into actionable development activities that enable business growth and market expansion.

Technical Problem Solving and Development

• Serve as the subject matter expert in Extrusion & Thermoforming processes and polymer application development.
• Lead resolution of complex technical challenges involving product performance, processing, application failures, and customer concerns.
• Conduct root cause investigations, failure analysis, process optimization activities, and implementation support to ensure sustainable solutions.
• Design, execute, and interpret laboratory, pilot, and field validation trials to support product adoption and commercialization.
• Translate technical findings into scalable recommendations, specifications, and best practices that improve customer success.

Industry Leadership and External Engagement

• Represent them as a senior technical expert during customer visits, audits, technical reviews, and commercialization discussions.
• Deliver customer training programs, technical seminars, conference presentations, and industry workshops.
• Develop and maintain strong external networks that enhance their technical reputation and market influence.

Salary

$140,000 - $180,000

Benefits

• M/D/V/401K

Technical Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree (in Materials Science or Engineering, Polymer Science and/or Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field) and 10+ years of industry experience. BS level candidates with 20+ years of experience will also be considered for this position.
• Extensive experience with extrusion & thermoforming processes, processing optimization, and commercialization of products. Medical packaging and consumer goods packaging application experience is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in polymers, plastics, material selection, and application development within commercial markets.
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE), structured problem solving, root cause analysis, and technical troubleshooting methodologies.
• Direct customer contact experience is required for this role including experience with product trials and launches at customer facilities.