Application Development Manager - Flexibles

TOPPAN Packaging Americas • USA - SC - Remote South Carolina - REMSC, SC

1d • Remote

About The Position

The Application Development Manager for the Flexibles Division serves as the primary technical contact between customers and TOPPAN Packaging Americas. The role is responsible for development and technical service activities at assigned accounts and markets, partnering with the packaging technology team to develop cost-effective, product-safety-compliant, sustainable packaging solutions that meet customer needs.

The manager works with the Commercial Team to identify and commercialize flexible packaging opportunities, expand sales of existing structures, develop new structures, achieve cost savings, and improve product performance. This remote position can be based in the West Coast, Texas, Northeast, Chicago, or Midwest area, and requires easy access to a major airport. Domestic and international travel is required to manufacturing plants, suppliers, customers, conferences, and other innovation partners.

Requirements

• Strong material science knowledge, including OPP, PET, and PE films, nylon, paper, and foil laminations.
• Experience with new product development, flexible packaging applications, project management, and customer relationships.
• Extensive experience in food packaging growth areas, including retort, hot fill, hard-to-hold products, personal care, home care, and consumer healthcare packaging.
• Bachelor of Science, preferably in Engineering, Food Science, Packaging, or a plastics-related field.
• 5–10 years of flexible packaging product development and manufacturing-process experience, including printing (roto/flexo), laminating (adhesive and extrusion), coating, slitting, pouching, and form/fill/seal conversion.
• 5–10 years of experience developing packaging for retort, hot fill, hard-to-hold, and liquid applications.
• Easy access to a major airport.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Commercial Team to identify and successfully commercialize flexible packaging opportunities at targeted accounts.
• Lead technical activities to expand sales of existing structures, develop new flexible packaging structures, drive cost savings, and improve product performance.
• Build and maintain strong technical customer relationships.
• Translate customer requirements into TOPPAN specifications and develop manufacturing instructions.
• Ensure the portfolio aligns with business priorities and customer needs.
• Define project success criteria, draw conclusions from data, make technical recommendations, and manage projects.
• Develop and lead pilot, production, and filling/packing trials, and publish trial reports for internal and/or external distribution.
• Coordinate activities and use available internal and external resources to accomplish tasks.
• Provide routine technical service.
• Prepare written and verbal presentations, project plans, updates, and periodic reports for internal and external use.
• Travel domestically and internationally to manufacturing plants, suppliers, customers, conferences, and other innovation partners.
• Maintain complete and accurate work records, including documentation for intellectual property protection.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, including FSA and HSA options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Wellbeing tools and resources, including an Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Company-paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans, including life, personal accident, and disability insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Competitive pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager