Prototype & Product Testing Manager

About the role

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. The Prototype & Product Testing Manager leads two critical capabilities within the Novolex Innovation organization: hands-on prototyping for the Applied Innovation Center (AIC) and structured product testing in support of product development, competitive assessment, and claims substantiation.

Responsibilities

• Lead all prototyping activity within the AIC, producing samples and demonstrations for customer innovation sessions, co-development engagements, and internal concept validation across all Novolex product lines and substrate types.
• Translate customer briefs and product development requests into tangible prototypes at lab or pilot scale, coordinating with material suppliers, equipment vendors, and internal R&D teams.
• Maintain and operate AIC prototyping equipment across relevant converting, fabrication, and processing platforms, ensuring readiness and capability for customer visits and internal programs.
• Develop and document standard operating procedures for prototype production, ensuring traceability and repeatability of all samples regardless of substrate or product category.
• Collaborate with Directors of Innovation and Innovation team members across business units to prioritize prototype requests and manage the AIC prototype pipeline.
• Support preparation of materials, physical samples, and technical demonstrations for customer innovation sessions hosted at the Roanoke Innovation Center.
• Design and execute test plans to assess new materials, structures, formulations, and product concepts against defined performance criteria and specifications across all substrate categories in the Novolex portfolio.
• Lead competitive product assessments, receiving, conditioning, testing, and benchmarking competitor products across relevant performance attributes appropriate to each substrate and end-use application.
• Support the substantiation of commercial claims by designing appropriate test protocols, maintaining documentation, and partnering with Product Managers on claims language across product lines.
• Partner with the analytical testing and product development teams across the organization to integrate testing results into stage-gate decisions, product launches, and customer-facing presentations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Packaging Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in packaging, materials product development, or testing environments; experience with more than one substrate category strongly preferred.
• Proficient with standard packaging and materials test methods (ASTM, ISO, TAPPI, and similar); ability to identify and apply appropriate methods across a broad range of substrates and product formats.
• Demonstrated ability to operate and troubleshoot lab or pilot-scale processing and converting equipment.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent prototype and testing projects spanning different product categories and timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present technical findings to non-technical audiences including commercial and executive stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience across more than one substrate platform (e.g., flexible films, rigid or semi-rigid packaging, paper-based substrates, foodservice materials, etc).
• Experience supporting customer-facing innovation, co-development, or open innovation programs.
• Exposure to claims substantiation processes and commercial documentation requirements.
• Working knowledge of SPC, DOE, or structured problem-solving methodologies (Six Sigma, DMAIC).

Working Environment

This is a lab- and production-floor-based role requiring regular operation of processing, converting, and testing equipment across a range of material platforms. The position is based at the Novolex Innovation Center in Roanoke, TX. Periodic travel to Novolex manufacturing facilities, customer sites, or supplier locations may be required. Standard PPE requirements apply in all lab and production areas.

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.

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.