Applications Development Manager (Sr. Packaging Engineer)--Flexibles

Senior Application Development Manager (Senior Packaging Engineer) Flexibles Division

• Remote position

Position Overview

The Senior Application Development Manager for the Flexibles Division serves as the primary technical liaison between customers and the organization. This role leads all application development and technical service activities across assigned accounts and markets. The packaging technology team continuously collaborates to design and deliver flexible packaging solutions that are cost-effective, compliant with product safety requirements, increasingly sustainable, and aligned with customer needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner closely with the Commercial Team to identify, develop, and successfully commercialize flexible packaging opportunities at targeted accounts
• Lead technical initiatives to grow sales of existing structures, develop new flexible packaging solutions, drive cost reductions, and improve product performance
• Build and maintain strong technical relationships with customers
• Translate customer requirements into internal specifications and manufacturing instructions
• Ensure the product portfolio aligns with business priorities and customer needs
• Define project success criteria, analyze data, make technical recommendations, and manage high-visibility, fast-paced projects
• Plan, develop, and lead pilot, production, and filling/packing trials; author and distribute detailed trial reports
• Coordinate internal and external resources to execute development activities effectively
• Provide ongoing technical service support to customers and internal teams
• Prepare and deliver presentations, project plans, progress updates, and periodic reports for internal and external audiences
• Travel domestically and internationally to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, customer sites, conferences, and innovation partners
• Maintain accurate documentation and work records, including materials supporting intellectual property protection

Work Location & Travel

• Remote position
• 30 40% travel expected
• Easy access to a major airport is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong material science expertise, including OPP, PET, PE films, nylon, paper, and foil laminations
• Proven experience in new product development, flexible packaging applications, project management, and customer-facing technical roles
• Extensive experience supporting key food packaging growth segments, including retort, hot fill, hard-to-hold products, liquid packaging, lidding, and portion-control packaging

Required Experience & Education

• Bachelor of Science degree preferred in Engineering, Food Science, Packaging, Plastics, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in flexible packaging product development and manufacturing processes, including printing (rotogravure and flexographic), laminating (adhesive and extrusion), coating, slitting, pouching, and form/fill/seal conversion
• 10+ years of experience developing packaging solutions for retort, hot fill, hard-to-hold, and liquid applications