Job Description
Senior Manager, Plastics Innovation Location: Coleman, MI Compensation: $140K to $160K base + 15% target bonus Travel: Approximately 25% domestic travel Overview I’m partnered with a global packaging and manufacturing organization on a confidential search for a Senior Manager, Plastics Innovation in Coleman, Michigan. This is a high-impact leadership role for a plastics innovation professional who has successfully brought new and unconventional resin materials into real production across both thermoforming and injection molding environments. This is not a tooling-first, mold design, or product design role. The team needs a materials and process innovation leader who can evaluate a new resin or material opportunity and answer the real manufacturing questions: Can it run on existing equipment? What process changes are needed? What machine or tooling constraints matter? What needs to happen to make it manufacturable at scale? What You’ll Do Lead plastics innovation efforts tied to traditional and alternative resins across thermoforming and injection molding Identify, evaluate, and qualify new materials for existing and new product applications, including biodegradable, compostable, and PCR resins Lead the material qualification process and partner cross-functionally with operations, sales, supply chain, product, and technical teams Direct trial activity through internal and external resources and help translate innovation into practical plant-side implementation Oversee lab and trial resources, data analysis, testing strategy, and root cause work tied to product and material performance Support commercialization by helping move material concepts into scalable production Manage project resources, timelines, priorities, and technical problem solving across the plastics innovation function Lead and develop the team while keeping innovation efforts aligned with broader business strategy What We’re Looking For 10+ years in plastics manufacturing Strong hands-on experience with both thermoforming and injection molding Direct ownership of plastics innovation, material development, or resin application work Proven experience with alternative or non-traditional resins, especially biodegradable, compostable, and PCR or recycled-content materials Track record of making new materials work on existing machine assets while navigating tooling and process limitations Strong commercialization mindset with the ability to move innovation beyond concept stage and into production Leadership experience managing teams and influencing cross-functional stakeholders Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or a related field preferred What This Role Is Not This role is likely not the right fit for candidates who are primarily: Tooling engineers Mold design specialists Product design engineers Packaging designers without plant-side innovation ownership R&D professionals without commercialization or manufacturing implementation experience Plastics professionals with experience in only one process and not both thermoforming and injection molding What’s In It For You Opportunity to lead practical, plant-side innovation, not just concept work Visible leadership role with direct influence on next-generation material strategy Chance to bring sustainable packaging solutions to market in a real manufacturing environment Join a global leader in packaging with the scale, stability, and innovation investment to support long-term career growth Strong salaried benefits package including medical options, 401(k) match, company HSA contribution, retirement support, PTO, and confidential EAP resources Competitive compensation package with base salary from $140K to $160K plus 15% target bonus This is an outstanding opportunity for someone who knows how to make unconventional resins work in real production and wants to have a meaningful voice in where plastics innovation goes next.