Innovation and Technology Development Manager

Job Details:

Job Location:

Vonore, TN 37885, Position Type:
Full Time, Job Category:
Business Development,

Job Summary:

The Innovation & Technology Development Manager is responsible for leading the research, development, commercialization, and continuous advancement of molded fiber products, materials, and manufacturing technologies. This role serves as the technical leader for innovation initiatives across the organization, driving the evaluation of emerging fiber technologies, sustainable materials, manufacturing processes, coatings, additives, and equipment platforms.

The position bridges research and development with commercial manufacturing, leading projects from concept generation through pilot-scale validation and full-scale industrial implementation. The role will establish and manage an innovation pipeline focused on improving product performance, sustainability, manufacturability, and cost competitiveness while advancing the company's leadership position in molded fiber packaging and food service solutions. The role is largely based out of the

Working closely with customers, suppliers, universities, equipment manufacturers, and internal cross-functional teams, this individual will identify industry trends, evaluate new technologies, develop strategic roadmaps, and create intellectual property that supports long-term business growth.

• Create and maintain a culture of safety within the team
• Develop and execute the company's molded fiber technology and innovation roadmap.
• Lead research programs focused on next-generation molded fiber products, advanced materials, barrier technologies, and sustainable packaging solutions.
• Identify emerging technologies, market trends, and disruptive innovations relevant to molded fiber manufacturing.
• Evaluate opportunities for intellectual property development, patents, and proprietary manufacturing capabilities.
• Build relationships with universities, research institutions, technology providers, and industry organizations.
• Monitor competitive technologies and benchmark industry-leading manufacturing approaches.
• Establish stage-gate development processes for new technologies and product innovation projects.
• Maintain a culture of continuous improvement

• Lead evaluation and development of new fiber sources, pulps, additives, binders, coatings, and sustainable materials.
• Design and oversee laboratory, pilot, and production-scale trials.
• Direct research activities related to product performance, moisture resistance, grease resistance, strength optimization, and compo stability.
• Develop processes for rapid experimentation and accelerated commercialization of new technologies.
• Support customer-driven innovation projects and customized product development.
• Collaborate with marketing and commercial teams to identify emerging customer needs and convert them into development opportunities.
• Validate new technologies and manufacturing methods through statistical analysis and structured experimentation.

• Lead scale-up of new products and technologies from laboratory and prototype stages through commercial production.
• Develop technical specifications, process requirements, and operating windows for new products.
• Work closely with manufacturing teams to transition innovations into standard production.
• Identify manufacturing capability gaps and recommend investments in technology, automation, and equipment.
• Support capital projects involving new manufacturing technologies and process platforms.
• Establish validation protocols and success criteria for technology implementation.
• Provide technical support to customers and suppliers as needed.
• Participate in development of annual capital budget to support the business plan
• Prepare Capital Authorization Requests (CAR) when required with effective project explanation, justification, project timeline and ROI calculation; prepare detailed presentation of CAR to management for approval.
• Handle other projects or duties as assigned and recommend engineering or innovation solutions to improve productivity.
• Evaluate options for pulp manufacturing processes, including options regarding raw materials.
• Provide recommendations related to all technical, innovation, or engineering aspects of pulp manufacturing.
• Research and evaluate innovative forming, drying, finishing, trimming, and coating technologies.
• Investigate automation, robotics, AI-enabled process controls,…