Senior Manager Packaging Innovation

PCA • Vernon Hills, IL

49d • $110,000 - $165,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager Packaging Innovation drives the creation and implementation of innovative, data-driven packaging solutions for direct and indirect customers. The role applies broad expertise in corrugated materials, structures, board, and paper properties to develop strategic solutions, identify design concepts, analyze data, and generate actionable insights that mitigate risk and guide customers and PCA. The position also addresses new and complex challenges affecting customers or the business, develops fiber-based products, and serves as a subject matter expert on emerging trends.

This leader manages and mentors package developers and leads or contributes hands-on to value-oriented projects across multiple manufacturing locations and customers nationally. The role involves collaboration with manufacturing, technical, sales, plant operations, external customers, and executive stakeholders. It requires clear communication of complex analyses and test methodologies, as well as the ability to turn customer needs into practical solutions and broadly applicable improvements.

The position is primarily onsite, with travel of up to 25%. The employee must be capable of safely handling packages weighing up to the greater of 50 pounds or applicable SOPI/OSHA limits, or up to 100 pounds with assistance, as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in packaging, science, or engineering, with at least 10 years of experience, including significant experience in the paper or packaging field; demonstrable equivalent experience may be accepted.
• Demonstrable history of leadership, creativity or innovation, analytical thinking, and professional presentation.
• Strong, broad foundation in corrugated materials, including corrugated structures and board and paper properties.
• Extensive problem-solving skills, including ability to independently handle complex objectives and customer challenges.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills with manufacturing, technical, customer, and executive audiences.
• Commitment to developing and fostering strong working relationships.
• Ability to travel up to 25% by appropriate modes.
• Ability to safely handle packages up to the greater of 50 pounds or applicable SOPI/OSHA limits, or up to 100 pounds with assistance, as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with design of experiments and statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer interactions and collaboration to understand customer needs and provide value-added analysis for customer-focused projects.
• Present problem statements and resolutions clearly in written and oral communications, including to executive audiences.
• Use industry trends to guide customers toward future-proof packaging approaches.
• Create, communicate, and execute systematic methodologies with internal and external stakeholders to resolve problems efficiently and effectively.
• Lead and promote package-development best practices among design personnel across PCA.
• Explore innovations in fiber-based materials and identify opportunities for products with broad-scale use.
• Identify, conceive, and develop material or packaging products, or related information.
• Identify market trends and gaps in PCA or market fiber-based products that may present actionable opportunities.
• Use data gathered across multiple sites to identify operational improvements that can be applied broadly.
• Work safely on and off site, collaborate with site employees on safe lab-equipment operation, develop safety-training improvements, and support site safety goals.
• Follow company policies and procedures, share useful information with the team, and find ways to improve customer service.
• Support PCA’s customer-focused business philosophy by adding value, supporting growth, and keeping commitments.
• Make independent, timely, considered decisions about problem-solving approaches, solution robustness, and implementation.
• Drive design and innovation nationally across multiple manufacturing sites and multi-site customers.
• Develop new product, material, or information offerings that can be leveraged by the broader sales or design team.
• Provide analytical reporting and presentations that distill complex results for broad audiences.
• Build collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to meet customer-satisfaction goals.
• Manage and mentor package developers and lead or contribute to projects across multiple locations and customers.

Benefits

• Paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage available for the employee and dependents within the first 30 days of employment.
• Life, AD&D, and disability coverage automatically provided upon enrollment eligibility.
• 401(k) plan with pre-tax and Roth contribution options and employer matching contributions.

What This Job Offers

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