Supplier Development & Innovation Manager - Resins & Additives

Novolex is a leader in packaging innovation, choice and sustainability. We manufacture products in paper, plastic and sustainable materials for the food, retail, health and industrial markets.

• This is a hybrid position within the Northern Kentucky area, with 2-3 days in office
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  Medical, dental and vision options

  
  
• Wellness rewards to fund your HRA or HSA
• Paid holidays, time off, parental and other leaves
• Financial protection benefits such as life, AD&D and disability insurance, and 401(k) Plan with employer matching contributions
• Education Support (for example, tuition reimbursement, Chairman's Scholarship, 529 College Savings Plan)
• Broad Based Employee Award Program-value sharing plan for all employees with one year of service
• Employee Assistance Program and much more!

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.

Supplier Development & Innovation Manager for Resins and Additives plays a key supporting role within the Corporate Procurement Organization, coordinating cross-functional projects that drive innovation, cost optimization, sustainability, and continuity of supply across resin and additive categories. This role partners closely with Innovation & Sustainability, Operations, Corporate Quality, Supply Chain Planning (SCP), and Strategic Sourcing to support new supplier development initiatives, material qualifications, and alternative material evaluations. A successful candidate will be able to:

• Support and manage resin and additive-related projects through Smartsheet stage-gate process.
• Develop and maintain detailed project timelines, status updates, and risk assessments for supplier qualification and innovation programs.
• Coordinate cross-functional alignment between Procurement, Innovation, Operations, Quality, and SCP teams to ensure timely project execution, and ensure materials meet required performance and compliance standards.
• Track progress and provide clear visibility of project milestones, next steps, and completion status to key stakeholders.
• Partner with Innovation & Sustainability teams to identify and support development of new resin and additive materials (including PCR, bio-based, and performance additives).
• Assist Category Sourcing Manager in new supplier setup within Novolex systems
• Work directly with suppliers to gather specifications, certifications, samples, and technical documentation supporting material innovation and qualifications.
• Maintain a pipeline of supplier-driven innovation opportunities, including cost savings, material substitutions, and alternative sourcing options.
• Track testing results, document outcomes, and maintain records of qualified materials.
• Coordinate stewardship/regulatory reviews with Corporate Regulatory, Quality, and Innovation functions to confirm that all new materials meet applicable food-contact, environmental, and product-safety standards.
• Collect and manage technical documentation such as specification sheets, SDS, product formulations, and test data in collaboration with suppliers and internal technical teams.
• Maintain dashboards and tracking tools to monitor project timelines, qualification progress, and pipeline health.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in project management, procurement, or technical support within packaging, plastics, or manufacturing environments.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills with proven ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to build relationships across cross-functional teams and supplier partners.
• Working knowledge of resin and additive materials, including PCR, bio-based, and colorant systems.
• Familiarity with manufacturing and converting processes (extrusion, molding, or film/sheet operations).
• Lab equipment knowledge: Material Testing, solids/viscosity, melt point, and other relevant testing protocol
• Proficient in MS Office, Smartsheet, or similar project management tools; experience with Intelex or supplier quality systems is a plus.
• Process-driven, detail-oriented, and capable of tracking multiple concurrent projects with accuracy.
• Comfortable presenting project updates and collaborating with key stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% to supplier sites, plants, and R&D centers as needed.

Benefits

With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance (including Telehealth options) as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.

Community Engagement

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

Training and Development

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through Novolex University. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program, and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.

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