Title:  Research & Development Manager

At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.

With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.

A World of Difference. Made Possible.

With limited supervision from the R&D Director, the R&D Manager is responsible for managing analytic labs, supporting technical services at mills and converters, and leading coating development, and product development initiatives from concept through commercialization.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages coating development projects, which are primarily involved in reducing the cost of coatings.  This involves composing detailed plans, timelines and budgets to address project scope and goals. Coordinates work within the R&D team to manage the pilot coater and drawdown studies to accomplish these goals. 
• Supports new product development (NPD) initiatives for the mill division and AMC as needed.
• Works with Corp Procurement and Mills on coating projects related to qualifying Suppliers. 
• Leads coating, calendaring, and wet-end trials at mills.
• Develop cost models for new paperboard machinery and processes, including capital estimation and requirements.
• Assist in the development of existing and new GPI packaging concepts, focusing on manufacturability.
• Provide engineering expertise to support R&D activities aligning with new business objectives.
• Offer technical insight into proposed capital equipment installations.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining focus on customer commitments and timelines.
• Prepare and present detailed reports and presentations on project progress to senior staff and customers.
• Engage with customers during concept, design, and process development phases for new packaging initiatives.
• Establish and maintain key relationships with suppliers.
• Lead investigations utilizing both internal and external analytical resources.
• Provide expertise in board and converting to offer recommendations based on sample analytics.
• Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot board, coating, converting, and printing technical issues.
• Conduct competitive analysis including board comparisons, business models, competitor capabilities, and future capacity.
• Conduct analytical analysis of samples using FTIR, GCMS, Optical Microscope, and all Tappi-based test equipment.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Expertise in paper and paperboard physical properties and coating technology.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. and safely operate in a manufacturing environment, including handling industrial chemicals and machinery.
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with customers, teams, and executive leadership.
• Willingness to travel (1-2 trips per month).

Education & Experience

• Education: M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Paper Science, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years in a paper or paperboard-related industrial/manufacturing role.

Pay Range:  $104,325 - $139,100 

Graphic Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decision on an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, age, gender or sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, genetic information, disability, veteran/military status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Click here to view the Poster, EEO is the Law.

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