ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Technical Manager Plastics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

LG

Technical Service Engineer - LG Chem

Troy, MI · On-site

... managing the impacts of climate change and making positive contributions to society through ... All engineering Plastics are highly processable and can be manufactured in various colors. It is ...

LG

Technical Service Engineer - LG Chem

Troy, MI · On-site

... managing the impacts of climate change and making positive contributions to society through ... All engineering Plastics are highly processable and can be manufactured in various colors. It is ...

The Lee Company

Plastics Engineer

Essex, CT · On-site

This pivotal role involves prototyping, testing, analysis, and managing the entire product ... professional texts, technical papers, etc. * MedicalScientific design experience preferred.

Truck-Lite

Plastics Tooling Engineer

Erie, PA · On-site

Will serve as the technical expert for plastic part design and development on a multi-disciplinary ... Sourcing - Manages tool sourcing & development process following Truck-Lite procedures and ...

OxyChem

Technical Superintendent

Pasadena, TX · On-site

... plastics, pharmaceuticals and water treatment chemicals. Other OxyChem products include caustic ... Manage all available technical resources (internal and external) to ensure timely and cost ...

Oxy

Technical Superintendent

Pasadena, TX · On-site

... plastics, pharmaceuticals and water treatment chemicals. Other OxyChem products include caustic ... Manage all available technical resources (internal and external) to ensure timely and cost ...

Oxy

Technical Superintendent

Pasadena, TX

... plastics, pharmaceuticals and water treatment chemicals. Other OxyChem products include caustic ... Manage all available technical resources (internal and external) to ensure timely and cost ...

Achilles USA

Design Engineer - Plastics

Everett, WA

$80K - $95K/yr

Track completion of various technical support tasks using Achilles' internal request system ... Implement corrective and preventive actions as needed. Assist with scrap management by developing ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsTechnical Plastics JobsTechnical Manager Plastics Jobs

Technical Manager Plastics information

See salary details

$51K

$152.3K

$193.5K

How much do technical manager plastics jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for technical manager plastics in the United States is $152,287.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,500.00 and $181,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Technical Manager in Plastics, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Technical Manager in Plastics, you need in-depth knowledge of polymer science, manufacturing processes, and quality assurance, typically supported by a degree in engineering or materials science. Expertise with CAD software, process simulation tools, and familiarity with industry standards like ISO 9001 or Six Sigma certification is often required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help you effectively lead teams and collaborate across departments. These abilities are crucial to drive innovation, ensure product quality, and maintain efficient production in a competitive industry.

What does a Technical Manager in Plastics do?

A Technical Manager in Plastics oversees the development, production, and quality assurance of plastic materials and products. They manage technical teams, coordinate projects, and ensure compliance with industry standards and environmental regulations. Their role often includes troubleshooting manufacturing processes, implementing new technologies, and liaising with clients and suppliers to meet product specifications and performance goals.

How does a Technical Manager in Plastics typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

A Technical Manager in Plastics often works closely with R&D, production, quality assurance, and sales teams to ensure that product development and manufacturing processes meet both client specifications and industry standards. This collaboration involves leading technical discussions, facilitating problem-solving sessions, and aligning team goals with organizational objectives. Effective communication and project management skills are crucial, as the Technical Manager coordinates between departments to resolve technical challenges and ensure timely project delivery. Regular meetings and progress updates are standard practices to maintain alignment and drive continuous improvement.
Infographic showing various Technical Manager Plastics job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% Full Time, and 86% Part Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,287 per year, or $73.2 per hour.
Sr Manager, R&D - Plastic Rigid Materials

Sr Manager, R&D - Plastic Rigid Materials

Kraft Heinz Company

Glenview, IL • On-site

$111K - $154K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Kraft Heinz rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 119 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

192nd of 380 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Job Description
Job Purpose
As the Rigid Plastic Packaging Senior Manager within the Sustainability & Materials Center of Excellence, you will lead a team of technical experts charged with developing rigid plastic packaging solutions to serve the North American portfolio. The objective of the team is to develop material and format solutions that meet sustainability requirements, addressing innovation, compliance, and value engineering initiatives. The team will develop and lead technical strategies and deliver novel, functional, cost-competitive solutions. In this role you will partner with Innovation, Process, and Platform packaging teams as well as cross-functional stakeholders to translate technical and sustainability requirements into viable, commercial, manufacturable solutions. The role includes leading the team to identify material/polymer/packaging technology solutions and research pathways, and leading proof of concept, technology scale-up, and seamless transition of technologies to the business units. The ideal candidate combines deep technical packaging expertise with strong sustainability knowledge and proven experience managing complex projects and technical teams.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
  • Lead and prioritize a portfolio of complex rigid plastic packaging technology strategies and initiatives, including balancing technology exploration with proof of concept of novel technologies and managing complex partnerships across the value chain, demonstrating value and business case for technology applications.

  • Build, coordinate and manage relationships and partnerships with suppliers and technology providers (e.g., resin, coating, material suppliers; packaging manufacturers), and external partners (e.g., universities, institutes, start-ups, open innovation networks).

  • Identify material/polymer/packaging technology solutions that avoid material bans and regulatory risks.

  • Advance recyclable, reusable, and compliant rigid packaging formats aligned with enterprise sustainability goals and legislative requirements.

  • Deliver packaging designs to Performance-Based Specifications (PBS), ensuring solutions meet defined functional, quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance outcomes (rather than prescriptive designs).

  • Provide technical leadership and oversight on packaging reviews, ensuring design decisions align with enterprise standards, manufacturability, sustainability, and long-term platform strategy.

  • Own project and portfolio-level budgets, resourcing strategies and capacity planning, ensuring delivery within approved financial guardrails; develop and maintain project plans, schedules, budgets, and resource allocations; monitor progress, assess risk, and proactively escalate tradeoffs.

  • Serve as an accountable owner for governance, escalation and go/no-go decisions; represent packaging steering forums and influence stakeholders.

  • Act as technical expert for junior developers and direct team to flex onto projects requiring problem solving.

  • Partner with legal to build robust IP strategies; conduct exploration to build an IP portfolio to drive competitive advantage.

  • Mentor, coach and train junior project team members and contribute to PMO best practices and templates.

  • Build and sustain a high-performing technical team; manage, coach, mentor and retain employees, including goal-setting, performance management, salary planning and hiring.

  • Build strong succession and upskilling plans for junior talent, maximizing apprenticeship with more senior/experienced team members.

People Management Responsibilities
  • Team (salaried): targeting 3 direct reports

Key Outputs & Deliverables
  • Deliver technology strategy and prioritize a portfolio of complex rigid plastic packaging technology/format initiatives to deliver against sustainability, innovation and value engineering initiatives.

  • Lead and deploy a team of packaging technical experts to deliver 7 to 10 concurrent complex packaging technology projects annually, meeting committed timelines, budgets, and technical performance targets from concept through proof of concept and handover.

  • Ensure full compliance with evolving sustainability and regulatory requirements for portfolio projects, including:

  • Minimizing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees

  • Designing packaging solutions that avoid material bans and regulatory risks

  • Advancing recyclable, reusable, and compliant packaging formats aligned with enterprise sustainability goals and legislative requirements

  • Deliver packaging designs to PBS, ensuring solutions meet defined functional, quality, shelf-life, consumer experience, and manufacturing performance outcomes.

Expected Experience & Required Skills
  • BS/MS/PhD degree in Engineering, Materials, Chemical or Packaging Engineering preferred or related discipline.

  • Minimum 8 years of R&D technology development and commercialization experience in packaging and project leadership experience (consumer goods, food & beverage, pharma or similar preferred).

  • Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end development projects, identifying and driving packaging technology initiatives, leading external partnerships, and coordinating cross-functional teams.

  • Demonstrated experience in people management

  • Strong technical knowledge of materials (polymers, barriers and additives, etc.) and manufacturing constraints, including converting processes (e.g., filling, labeling, molding, injection molding, extrusion blow molding, thermoforming), bottle closure and dispensing systems.

  • Proven project management/PMO skills; experience with governance, risk management, budget management, and stakeholder reporting.

  • Expert knowledge of design of experiments and statistics; strong technical problem solving.

  • Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills; ability to influence at all levels.

  • Previous experience leading complex, multisite or global packaging or technology launches.

  • Expert knowledge of sustainable packaging solutions, material/package industry standards and regulations.

  • Experience with pilot line setups and scale-up to industrial production.

  • Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Work Environment & Schedule
This position operates primarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at the Kraft Heinz R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Glenview Innovation Center (Glenview, IL).
Physical demands include but not limited to
  • Regular office work

  • Physical presence at labs and manufacturing sites (internal and external) to perform experimental and validation testing

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz' strategy and values.
New Hire Base Salary Range:
$120,800.00 - $151,000.00
Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.
The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors
Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family's needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
You'll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:
  • Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
  • Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
  • Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
  • Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)
Glenview R&D Center
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.

What Kraft Heinz employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply