Head of Plastic Closures Technology

Location: Vreeland

OUR VISION
Being the customer service company in the world.

OUR PURPOSE
Creating packaging solutions for life’s essentials.

Job

Requisition #
034168 Head of Plastic Closures Technology (Open)

Job Description
The Head of Plastic Closures Technology, reporting to the VP Product Solutions & Innovation, is accountable for  leading and coordinating all global technical activities related to the Plastic Closures substrate  within the innovative Closures SBU.

This role provides  technical leadership, governance, and strategic direction  across product design, manufacturing processes, tooling, and cost structure for Plastic Closures worldwide. The position ensures alignment of technical developments with Greif’s business strategy, safety, quality standards, sustainability objectives, and Stage Gate Product Development & Innovation process.

The role serves as the  global technical authority for Plastic Closures , to drive product improvements, manufacturing best practices, process standardization, tooling longevity, and continuous scalable manufacturing cost reduction initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and  globally coordinate technical development activities  for the Plastic Closures substrate across all regions.

Act as the  technical owner and subject matter expert  for Plastic Closures products, materials, processes, and tooling.

Drive continuous  product improvement initiatives , including performance, safety, durability, reliability, and customer value.

Define, develop, and deploy  Manufacturing Best Demonstrated Practices (BDPs)  specific to Plastic Closures.

Lead  process standardization efforts  across plants to ensure consistent quality, efficiency, and operational excellence.

Establish and execute strategies to reduce cycle times, downtime, and improve asset utilization.

Lead global initiatives focused on  manufacturing cost reduction , including material optimization, process efficiency, scrap reduction, and cycle time improvements.

Partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, and Supply Chain to ensure  robust industrialization and scalability  of Plastic Closures solutions.

Define global technical standards, specifications, and guidelines for Plastic Closures products and processes.

Support capital investment decisions by providing  technical evaluations, feasibility studies, and ROI input  for Plastic Closures‑related equipment and tooling.

Interface with external suppliers, OEMs, and technology partners to  identify and implement new raw materials and manufacturing technologies .

Provide technical support and escalation leadership for  complex manufacturing or product quality issues .

Mentor, coach, and technically guide regional and plant‑level engineering and technical teams.

Track and report progress, risks, and technical KPIs to senior leadership.

Ensure compliance with  safety, regulatory, quality, and sustainability requirements  across all Plastic Closures technical activities.

Build strong cross‑functional relationships at global, regional, and local levels to enable effective execution.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymers, or a related technical discipline.

10+ years of progressive technical leadership experience in  plastic packaging, injection molding, closures, or high‑volume manufacturing environments .

Strong background in  injection and co‑injection processes, molds, manufacturing automation, and process optimization .

Proven track record in  cost reduction, process standardization, and operational excellence  initiatives.

Knowledge & Skills

Deep technical knowledge of polymer materials, injection molding, and related manufacturing technologies.

Strong understanding of tooling design, wear mechanisms, and life‑cycle optimization.

Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.

Results‑oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills across cultures and geographies.

Ability to lead through influence in matrixed organizations.

Customer‑focused mindset with strong internal and external collaboration skills.

Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving clarity in complex technical environments.

Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

At Greif, we believe that our colleagues are the center of our success. Our Total Rewards have a comprehensive focus on well‑being and offer a competitive package that enables you to thrive, be engaged, and reach your full potential.

EEO Statement

We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits and opportunity for growth. Greif is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, national origin, color, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic.

For more information read Greif’s Equal Opportunity Policy.

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