Product Development Manager

ALPLA is a global family-owned, privately held company that makes innovative, customized, recycled packaging for top companies such as P&G, Unilever, L'Oréal, Pepsi, and more. ALPLA values their employees, work-life balance, personal growth, compensation and sustainability.

• Demonstrates leadership and decision making through the execution of product development projects. Develop and maintain timelines, track budget, communicate among project resources and stakeholders, aligning with corporate metrics 
• Coordinating activities from design to pilot tool, to production mold and into production, responsible for mold, machine and packaging components.  
• Determines customer's requirements and translates them into an actionable plan. 
• Manages Project Planning, Gantt charts, scheduling constraints, understands bottle necks and works with team members to create solutions. 
• Understands priorities of projects, manages priorities, and communicates across key stakeholders. 
• Adherence and applied knowledge of the project management and stage gated process. 
• Oversight of projects and manages project load with time management. 
• Responsible for addressing customer complaints, concerns or requests throughout the project lifecycle. 
• Holding regular meetings to ensure on time and in budget. 
• Coordinates design activities between customer and internal design.  
• Effectively communicate internally and externally with customers, suppliers and vendors to determine project requirements, coordinate activities, and provide direction.  
• Documents key project information: Use appropriate forms and follows procedures established for project execution.
• Responsible for maintaining costs on projects.
• Manages all health, safety and legal requirements.  
• Travel on average of 30% is expected.  

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, preferably in Packaging, Mechanical, Plastics engineering
• Three years project management experience, preferably within plastics industry.
   

Qualification/Skills:

• Technical knowledge and understanding of HDPE, PP and PET resins  
• Understanding of mold and design construction  
• Understanding of key principles in blow molding and related machines 
• Understanding of blow molding platforms and limitations 
• Capable of applying and assessing SPC/statistics/Quality charts/Six sigma principles 
• Understanding of key features on bottle for performance and closure seal.  
• Understanding of customer filling lines, distribution and consumer use  
• Knowledge of bottle testing, capable of conducting dimensional and functional evaluations  
• Knowledge of Packaging systems - types, costs, ordering procedures   
• Trouble shooting/resolution of packaging system issues 

ALPLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: ALPLA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at ALPLA are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. ALPLA will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.