Technical Director - Protective Coatings

We're Not Just in the Packaging Business-We're in the "Wow" Business

Pregis is Hiring!

Why Join Pregis?

Pregis is in the packaging business to protect what matters. We are committed to providing our customers and employees sustainable growth through purpose-driven innovation and customer-centric packaging solutions. If you are looking for a company that is thriving across various high growth industries and is innovative, customer focused, high integrity, believes in strong teamwork and collaboration, Pregis is the company for you. Check out the Pregis Purpose to learn how sustainability and social responsibility is at the very core of our company DNA.

Position Description

The Technical Director will bring expertise to the Protective Coatings Business Unit in the areas of product, formulation and application support. Specifically, this position will support the expansion of the Coating group's product offerings by partnering with Operations and Sales. Primary skills for the technical director should be a blend of technical and leadership. Understanding coating formulations, applications, testing along with the ability to manage the labs. Aligning technical strategies with business objectives. This position reports to the President of the Coatings business, with a dotted line to the VP of Technology.

This role is a blend of technical leadership, people management, and strategic project portfolio oversight. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader who can drive high-performing teams, ensure operational excellence, and manage a portfolio of development and quality initiatives that align with company goals.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the laboratory, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with internal and external standards.
• Supervise and mentor lab personnel, including assigning tasks, setting goals, and conducting performance reviews.
• Maintain and calibrate lab equipment; manage lab inventory and procurement of materials and supplies.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations for the team, promoting ownership and engagement.
• Prioritize and manage a portfolio of lab projects, balancing resources across development, testing, and support needs.
• Monitor project performance, risks, and interdependencies using structured tools (e.g., dashboards, Gantt charts, project trackers).
• Support sales team with customer driven projects and evaluations using existing products and raw materials or developing new structures to meet end use requirements.
• Make raw material substitutions as needed.
• Support strategic decision-making by aligning lab priorities with business objectives and market needs.
• Develop water and solvent products for coating and printer including film and formulations from a variety of suppliers both domestic and foreign.
• Develop alternate sources of supply to reduce unit cost and enhance processability.
• Design and develop new water and solvent-based products to expand existing and new market needs and capabilities.
• Work with business and suppliers to expand adhesive supply base and reduce sole-source reliance.
• Coordinate regulatory requests for IMDS, SGS and EH&S product analysis.
• Class 1 core business support including: management of Masking Evaluation process for product application testing and reporting; technical data sheets and requests; daily calls and emails related to products and applications.
• Class 2 projects involving management of change, technical support to qualify alternate raw materials and process changes.
• Drive Class 3 technical projects involving mix-and-match and minor product changes using existing raw materials.
• Create and support our New Product Commercialization (NPC) objectives for new products for existing and new markets that generate significant new sales.
• Support safety, waste reduction efficiency improvement and sustainability goals.
• Support Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Customer Service with technical problem-solving solutions.

Required Skills

Technical Skills

• Minimum of ten years of adhesive formulation and roll to roll coating experience
• Experience with Meyer bar, roll over roll, kiss, direct and reverse gravure coating methods
• Engineering degree required, chemical engineering preferred
• Previous experience with emulsion and solvent coating and formulation experience required

Leadership Skills

• Solid judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Flexible, willing to make decisions, and able to quickly adapt from one situation to the next.
• Detail oriented, organized, consistent and reliable with follow-through.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Collaborative mindset, with the ability to help drive the team toward a common goal
• Ability to manage and organize a technical team of lab scientists and technicians to achieve results in a quick and efficient manner.

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Diversity and Inclusion

We believe in diversity of thought and bringing together other traits and characteristics that make an individual bring a unique experience to Pregis. We strive to foster an inclusive environment where behaviors and social norms ensure people are welcome.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement/Inclusion

We offer equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We support inclusion and believe in welcoming a collective sum of individual differences, thoughts, traits, and characteristics to represent Pregis' culture and achievements.

Visit us at www.pregis.com for more information about Pregis LLC.