Manager R&D & Product Development

Job Summary: 

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Senior R&D Manager to lead research and development efforts for our metal food can product lines. This individual will drive innovation in can design, materials, coatings, and manufacturing processes to meet evolving customer, regulatory, and sustainability requirements. The role is central to our mission of delivering high-quality, safe, and cost-effective packaging solutions to the food industry.

Job Duties: 

• Lead and manage R&D initiatives focused on the development and optimization of metal food cans, including 2-piece and 3-piece configurations.

• Innovate in areas such as can geometry, metal thinning, coatings, seaming, and double seam integrity.

• Drive improvements in material usage, corrosion resistance, and line efficiency while maintaining food safety compliance.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, quality, commercial, and supply chain to bring concepts from lab to plant and address customer-specific quality requirements based on product type.

• Evaluate and implement new materials (e.g., coatings, laminate) in compliance with food safety regulations (FDA).

• Partner with a technical team of engineers and technicians in lab testing, pilot trials, and data analysis.

• Interface with customers to understand application needs, co-develop custom packaging solutions, and address quality standards to present industry-leading, customized solutions (where applicable).

• Support sustainability goals through lightweighting, recyclability, and reduction of hazardous substances.

• Maintain awareness of industry trends, competitive technologies, and regulatory developments.

• Generate technical documentation, project reports, and support intellectual property efforts.

• Coordinate customer/supplier quality complaints and technical reviews.
• Directs the key departmental top line growth projects through all phases from idea conception to commercialization in line with the annual business plan.
• Support product testing initiatives, both internal and in support of customers.
• Evaluate feasibility of changes to coating and steel in accordance with increasing durability of product and profitability.
• Supports finance, supply chain and quality with metal weights, product manufacturing and performance specifications.
• Travel to customer sites and Trivium locations.
• Expected travel: 10-30%
• Perform all other job duties as assigned

Qualifications and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.

• Minimum of 6-8 years of R&D experience in metal packaging, ideally focused on food can manufacturing.

• Strong technical expertise in metal forming, coating systems, corrosion protection, and food-grade packaging standards.

• Familiarity with 3-piece welding, 2-piece drawing and ironing (D&I), and double seam validation techniques.

• Experience with product testing methods (e.g., EIS, salt spray, retort testing) and food contact compliance.

• Familiarity with project management tools.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and integrity
• Highly organized and motivated self-starter

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)