Technical Product Development Manager

ALPLA - McDonough, GA

Full-time - Mid Level

McDonough, GA

Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing

About the position

ALPLA is seeking a Project Manager to oversee the development of innovative, customized, recycled packaging solutions for leading global brands. This role involves managing projects with minimal supervision while receiving mentorship from the Head of Product Development and Senior Project Managers. The Project Manager will coordinate activities throughout the development phase, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality requirements. The position requires strong leadership and decision-making skills, as the individual will be responsible for executing product development projects from design to production. In this role, the Project Manager will develop and maintain project timelines, track budgets, and communicate effectively with project resources and stakeholders. They will coordinate activities from the design phase through to pilot tooling and production, ensuring that all components, including molds and machines, are aligned with customer requirements. The Project Manager will also manage project planning, utilizing Gantt charts and scheduling tools to identify bottlenecks and work collaboratively with team members to create solutions. The successful candidate will be responsible for addressing customer complaints and concerns throughout the project lifecycle, holding regular meetings to ensure projects remain on track and within budget. They will document key project information and adhere to established procedures for project execution. Additionally, the Project Manager will be responsible for maintaining compliance with health, safety, and legal requirements, ensuring that all projects are executed in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

Responsibilities

• Manage product development projects with minor supervision and mentoring from senior staff.
• Coordinate activities during the development phase through to customer approval.
• Deliver projects to production on time, within budget, and to quality requirements.
• Demonstrate leadership and decision-making in executing product development projects.
• Develop and maintain project timelines and track budgets.
• Communicate effectively among project resources and stakeholders, aligning with corporate metrics.
• Coordinate activities from design to pilot tooling and into production.
• Translate customer requirements into actionable project plans.
• Manage project planning, including Gantt charts and scheduling constraints.
• Address customer complaints, concerns, or requests throughout the project lifecycle.
• Hold regular meetings to ensure projects are on time and within budget.
• Document key project information and follow established procedures for project execution.
• Maintain costs on projects and manage health, safety, and legal requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, preferably in Packaging, Mechanical, or Plastics Engineering.
• Three years of project management experience, preferably within the plastics industry.
• Technical knowledge and understanding of HDPE, PP, and PET resins.
• Understanding of mold and design construction.
• Knowledge of key principles in blow molding and related machines.
• Ability to apply and assess SPC/statistics/Quality charts/Six Sigma principles.
• Understanding of key features on bottles for performance and closure seal.
• Knowledge of customer filling lines, distribution, and consumer use.
• Experience in bottle testing, capable of conducting dimensional and functional evaluations.
• Knowledge of packaging systems, including types, costs, and ordering procedures.
• Troubleshooting and resolution of packaging system issues.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with project management software and tools.
• Familiarity with sustainability practices in packaging.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

• Child Care Benefits
• Dependent Care Cost Savings Program
• Recognition programs and promotional opportunities
• 401K Retirement Plan with excellent matching
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Education assistance program/tuition reimbursement
• Short-term, long-term, and life insurance paid by ALPLA
• Paid vacation and paid holidays