Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Novolex is a manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging serving multiple industries. The Senior Manager, Product Development leads the design, development, scale-up, and commercialization of blown polyethylene film products for industrial applications, while driving performance, cost, and sustainability improvements. The role also provides technical customer support and collaborates cross-functionally with Product Management, Operations, Quality, Procurement, and Sales.
Responsibilities
- Develop new and improved blown film products for industrial applications (e.g., stretch hood, shrink film, heavy-duty FFS sacks, lamination and converting films, agricultural and construction films)
- Design multilayer coextruded film structures, including resin and additive selection, layer architecture, and gauge optimization to meet mechanical, optical, and sealing requirements
- Develop and optimize blown film extrusion processes; establish and document operating windows, and lead scale-up from lab/pilot to commercial lines
- Lead downgauging and cost-out programs that preserve or improve performance (puncture, dart, tear, tensile, elongation, holding force, seal integrity)
- Integrate post-consumer recycled (PCR) content into industrial film structures while maintaining performance and processability
- Advance mono-material PE designs and design-for-recyclability in line with recognized protocols (e.g., APR / RecyClass)
- Evaluate emerging resins, additives, and film technologies for application fit and competitive advantage
- Define test plans and interpret results across mechanical, optical, thermal, and sealing properties
- Apply structure–property relationships and polymer rheology to diagnose issues and guide formulation and process decisions
- Use Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical methods to drive efficient, data-based development
- Run trials at internal sites and customer/converter locations; support form-fill-seal, slitting, printing, and lamination processes
- Provide technical support to Sales and customers, including troubleshooting field performance
- Manage projects through the stage-gate process, with clear documentation, timelines, and cross-functional alignment
- Partner with Product Management on product roadmaps, specifications, and business cases
- Collaborate with Operations and Quality on manufacturability, specifications, and qualification
- Maintain thorough technical records; contribute to IP, specifications, and knowledge capture
Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer/Plastics Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field
- 10+ years of experience in polyethylene film extrusion, flexible packaging, or converting [adjust to target level]
- Working knowledge of blown film extrusion and multilayer coextrusion
- Understanding of polyethylene resins (LDPE, LLDPE, mLLDPE, HDPE), additives, and structure–property relationships
- Experience taking products from concept through scale-up and commercialization
- Proficiency with DOE and statistical analysis; comfort interpreting film test data
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Willingness to travel to manufacturing sites and customers
- Master's degree in a relevant engineering or polymer discipline
- Direct experience with industrial film applications (stretch hood, shrink, FFS, lamination, ag/construction)
- Experience integrating PCR content and developing recyclable mono-material PE structures
- Familiarity with recyclability protocols (APR, RecyClass) and relevant EPR/PCR regulatory drivers
- Six Sigma / Lean certification (Green or Black Belt) and DMAIC project experience
- Hands-on extrusion line and pilot-plant experience
Benefits
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible spending and health savings accounts
- Paid vacation and sick days
- Paid parental leave
- Paid holidays
- Wellness program
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Well-being resources focused on mental, physical, and financial health; specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work
- Constant opportunities for advancement
- Skills development
- Advanced education programs
- Training and development programs and courses through MyLearning
- Company and industry training curricula
- Support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union)
- A Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization
Company Overview