TS/AD Technical Leader - Injection Molding - Packaging, Cosmetics, & Durables

Eastman Chemical Company • Kingsport, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 13,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2025 revenue of approximately $8.8 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com . Responsibilities As the Technical Service / Application Development (TS/AD) Technical Leader, you will serve as the primary technical lead supporting regional and global strategic marketing initiatives for Eastman’s Specialty Plastics business, with a strong focus on Injection-Molded applications for Cosmetic Packaging and Durables. You will build and sustain deep technical relationships across the value chain – including OEMs, brand owners, molders, converters etc. – to execute market-driven innovation launch, protect current business and identify growth opportunities. This role requires strong technical competencies on both applications understanding, as well as process / injection molding expertise. This role is located onsite at our Kingsport, TN headquarters. Responsibilities include leading launch-phase customer projects, engaging with value chain customers, influencing internal and external key stakeholders, delivering world class technical support and on-site consultation, collaborate with cross-function team (including sales, marketing, R&D, product management, quality etc.), conducting customer seminars and conference presentations, as well as translating customer insights into actionable development or commercialization opportunities that help achieve business growth goals.

Requirements

• Ph.D. degree with 10+ years of experience or Master’s degree with 20+ years of experience in the industry.
• Degree in materials science or engineering, polymer science or engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, or a related field is required.
• Strong technical knowledge and business understanding of polymer and plastics relevant industry; experience in Cosmetic Packaging and Durables applications, as well as downstream connections and experience are highly preferred.
• Extensive injection molding expertise supporting commercial products—preferably in cosmetic packaging, closures, durable consumer goods, or medical/lifestyle packaging.
• Understanding of structure-property and processing relationships of thermoplastic polymers, and familiarity with design of experiment (DOE), problem-solving methodologies are preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with customers and internal teams.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with customers.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Cosmetic Packaging and Durables applications, as well as downstream connections and experience are highly preferred.
• Familiarity with design of experiment (DOE), problem-solving methodologies are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead launch-phase projects and technical initiatives to enable market activation and campaigns, including validations and qualifications through field trials.
• Engage proactively with value‑chain customers (e.g. converter, OEMs, brands etc.) to drive solution adoptions while identifying application drivers, unmet needs, and new business opportunities; maintain strong relationship with existing customers industry contacts to enhance collaboration.
• Support opportunity management processes that prioritize, track, and drive opportunities to align with business strategy (new business, protect, & grow opportunities); uses consultative selling skills to effectively communicate & capture value to execute commercialization.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, R&D, Product Management, and Manufacturing to translate customer needs in durable and cosmetic packaging applications into differentiated polymer and application solutions.
• Serve as the technical authority on injection molding processes and guide junior team members to provide world‑class technical support for high‑complexity issues, ensuring timely resolution and sustained customer satisfaction; lead troubleshooting including failure analysis, process optimization and implementation support.
• Design, execute, and interpret application and validation trials (bench, pilot, and field) and translate results into scalable recommendations and specification changes.
• Conduct customer training, seminars and conference presentations to demonstrate value propositions technically by educating the industry on polymer science and deepening relationships with key accounts.
• Translate customer feedback and market trends into prioritized development opportunities; partner with R&D to advance concepts.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation and tools — including test methods, failure‑mode playbooks, technical reports, publications, and application guides — to institutionalize knowledge and accelerate response times.
• Mentor and coach Technology and Business colleagues to raise technical capability across the organization; share learnings and best practices through internal training sessions.
• Represent Eastman externally at customer meetings and visits, technical audits, and industry forums and conferences; support commercial negotiations with technical evidence.

Benefits

• Base pay plus performance-based incentive opportunities that let you share in our success.
• Comprehensive medical, prescription-drug, and dental coverage—paired with a Health Savings Account option to help you save tax-free dollars for care today or in the future.
• A robust menu of voluntary benefits—including vision, optional life, critical-illness protection, and more—so you can tailor coverage to fit your life.
• Holistic wellness support: financial-planning tools, family-building assistance (adoption, pregnancy, and fertility resources), parental leave, and confidential Employee Assistance Program counseling.
• 401(k) with a company match—plus an additional annual retirement contribution from Eastman to accelerate your long-term savings.
• Eleven paid holidays, one personal day, paid time off, and paid vacation to recharge, celebrate, or handle life’s moments.
• Access to mentorship, learning resources, and leadership programs that empower you to thrive in your current role and chart the next steps in your career.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees