Computer Science Jobs in Yakima, WA (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview
Why Choose Us?
Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.
Our Sustainability Commitment
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.
Job Description
POSITION PURPOSE
The Technical Services Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for the development and improvement of flexible packaging films and bags. This hands-on leadership role bridges the gap between sales, R&D, and manufacturing, ensuring new products and process improvements are executed efficiently from concept to commercialization. The manager will lead a team to optimize materials, reduce costs, troubleshoot production issues, and ensure compliance with food safety regulations (FDA/SQF). This position is critical to ensure the plant remains competitive through innovation, quality, and operational efficiency in a highly technical production environment.
A reasonable estimate of the current range is $100,000-130,000 + performance based bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, free onsite clinic, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND KEY RESPONSIBILITES
1. Follow all safety policies, procedures, and practices.
a. Must keep work area clean and safe.
b. Understanding and daily practice of 5S.
c. Communicate with all required personnel inside and outside the company.
2. Follow all food safety and consumer safety policies, procedures, and practices.
a. Participate in GMP and food safety training.
b. Reports all food safety concerns with urgency.
3. Technical Leadership & Team Management.
a. Lead, mentor, and train a team of engineers and technicians, setting clear performance expectations and project milestones.
4. Product Development & Technical Support
a. Serve as the technical point of contact for clients, providing expertise in resin selection, film processing, and bag converting.
b. Develop and implement best practices for extrusion, winding, and downstream converting processes.
5. Manufacturing Optimization.
a. Troubleshoot on-site process issues, perform root cause analysis (CAPA), and implement corrective actions for films, bags, and lamination.
b. Lead Operational Excellence (OPX360) as the CI Champion for the facility.
6. Material & Process Improvement.
a. Identify, evaluate, and validate new raw materials (resins, additives, inks, adhesives) and technologies to improve performance, enhance sustainability, and reduce costs.
b. Manage product trials, new product introductions (NPI), and capital projects to ensure smooth application for clients.
c. Maintain compliance with food safety regulations (FDA, SQF) and ISO quality management systems.
d. Collaborate with production teams to improve efficiency, reduce scrap, and enhance product consistency.
e. Collaborate with Plant Engineer Manager and maintenance team to optimize equipment performance, diagnose equipment issues, improve reliability, and implement upgrades to support process efficiency and product quality.
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:
- Bachelor's degree in Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Packaging Science or related field.
- Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing Certification preferred
EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
- 5+ years of experience in flexible packaging manufacturing (film extrusion, converting, printing, or lamination preferred)
- Deep expertise in polymer extrusion, laminating adhesives, and converting equipment.
- Proven experience leading technical teams in a fast-paced, 24/7 manufacturing environment.
- Proficient in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle), CAD and Microsoft Suite.
- Strong communication skills. Ability to translate complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach.
- Must have excellent organization, time management, and attention to detail skills.
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Company Benefits
What You'll Get From Us
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 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 MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.
Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact myHRservices@novolex.com.
Formerly Pactiv Evergreen