Basic Position Objective Statement:          

The Technical and Product Innovation Director will be responsible to enhance the technical and product expertise of the Shawano Specialty Papers division, through quality systems and product development pipeline management.  This role will lead the development of long term strategic value through sustainable product innovation and application development, along with exceptional quality standards, through external customer and internal team collaboration.

Safety Philosophy:

Little Rapids Corporation will manufacture products in a manner that respects the safety and health of our associates, the environment, and the communities in which we operate.  We believe that every Associate plays critical role in creating a safe work environment by exhibiting personal safe behaviors.  To be successful as a company, we will have exemplary safety performance.

Principal Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Responsible to improve overall technical product and application understanding in conjunction with operational process controls and quality data
• Overall leadership of the quality department, ensuring execution of the quality system, customer complaint process, certification and compliance and overall customer satisfaction
• Drive business value through proactive innovation of new products and improvement of existing products
• Interface with end users and customers development needs assessment, partnering with internal business units to better understand current product uses and identify new product ideas
• Coordinate sales and manufacturing teams to identify, develop, trial, and deliver both new and enhanced products
• Manage and execute the product development cycle, both internally and externally, from concept to end user satisfaction, while controlling and communicating cost, time, expectations, and deadlines
• Serve as customer experience advocate to internal teams seeking mutually beneficial resolution
• Interface with operations personnel to improve consistency and reliability of LRC manufacturing processes

Experience / Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline is required
• A minimum of 10+ years experience in innovation, quality and/or technical roles in paper production or paper converting industries
• Previous experience in product development and direct customer interactions is preferred
• Experience in managing innovation pipelines and/or commercialization processes
• Prior experience managing quality systems is preferred.  Six sigma/lean manufacturing training a plus
• Valid driver’s license required

Key Functional Competencies:

• Practical knowledge of converting processes
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Demonstrated effective communication to all levels of internal and external organizations

Key Performance Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a culture defined by LRC’s core values of achievement, teamwork, innovation and respect.
• Leadership
• Innovative / Creative Problem Solving
• Change Management and Flexibility
• Adaptability
• Customer focus
• Process Management
• Data Analysis
• Effective verbal and writing communication skills

Travel Requirements:

Regular attendance at work is required.  Ability to work additional hours during the week, nights or on weekends may be required.  Must have the ability to travel (air/land) 15 – 20% of the time. Valid driver’s license is required.

Physical Requirements:

The ability to work in a normal office environment to include:  sitting or standing for long periods of time, operating various standard office equipment, carrying paper documents/files, reaching and bending, speaking on the telephone, walking through our manufacturing plant, and  wearing required personal protection gear (i.e. hearing, eye and foot protection).

EOE including disability/veteran

About Us:

Little Rapids Corporation (LRC) is a specialty paper manufacturer and converter of paper, film, cotton, and nonwoven materials. Our headquarters are located in Green Bay, WI. We are privately held with annual sales of over $200 million and 450 employees at our three Wisconsin locations that sell a wide variety of products in the healthcare, beauty, flexographic printing and specialty paper markets. Our expertise in paper making dates back over 75 years, allowing us to be the experts in advanced paper making capabilities to be fully customized to meet your needs.

The four core values of the business are lived out by ownership and top leadership and serves as a guide to all interactions, behavior, expectations, and strategic initiatives.

These values are:

• Care – Take Care of One Another & Always Be Transparent
• Act – Dream Big, Think Big, Act Big & Create Contagious Energy
• Learn – Improve Everyday & Be Humble
• Serve – Do Great Things Together & Be Easy to Work With

With our family ownership dating back to 1947, the company is guided by a strong and positive culture. Our purpose is remarkably simple: to bring together all their people’s talents and energies to create an outstanding organization that delivers true value to their customers.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply now and join our dedicated team at Little Rapids Corporation!

Apply Today!