Product Development Director (Qunnesec, Escanaba, Wisconsin Rapids, Miamisburg) - Billerud Finland Oy : Job Details

Purpose:What if you could go to work and contribute to a sustainable future? Billerud is a leading sustainable packaging materials and paper company. We are passionate paper makers committed to providing the best solutions to our customers. It is our goal to deliver a quality product, on time. We offer competitive compensation, full benefits, opportunities for growth and advancement, and an understanding that our employees make us successful.

If you are passionate about what you do and driven to do it well, there is a place for you at Billerud!

Summary Description:

The Product Development Director is responsible for leading and aligning Billerud North America's tactical product development initiatives with broader business objectives. This role ensures that all development activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with regulatory and certification standards. Key stakeholders include North American mills, Sales, Marketing, and the Operations Leadership Team. Core deliverables include technical and trial support, problem-solving, risk management, strategic planning, certification compliance, and the promotion of best practices across the organization.

Qualifications

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead a culture of safety and environmental stewardship, ensuring all product development activities comply with applicable health, safety, and food safety regulations and certifications.
• Direct the execution of product development initiativesacross mill sites, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, operational capabilities, and quality standards.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaborationby promoting knowledge sharing, standardization of best practices, and alignment across mill product development teams.
• Maintain deep technical expertisein mill equipment and processes to support feasibility assessments, product trials, and strategic development efforts.
• Oversee and participate in product and customer trials, serving as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for product development across Billerud North America.
• Build and sustain strong relationshipswith customers, suppliers, consultants, and OEMs to support innovation, satisfaction, and long-term partnerships.
• Provide strategic leadershipin the development, evaluation, and implementation of capital projects related to new product grades and process improvements.
• Champion sustainability and continuous improvement, aligning product development efforts with Billerud's environmental goals and operational excellence initiatives.
• Drive risk management and problem-solving efforts, identifying and addressing operational challenges through structured methodologies and cross-functional collaboration.
• Support mill performance objectives, including achievement of KPIs and budget targets, through technical guidance and strategic alignment.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, ensuring relevant innovations are evaluated and integrated into development strategies.
• Ensure effective documentation and governanceof standardized product development processes and technical knowledge.
• Develop and deliver training programsto build organizational capability and foster a high-performance culture.
• Contribute to enterprise-wide transformation efforts, driving change, innovation, and measurable business outcomes.
• Perform additional responsibilitiesas required to support the success of the organization.

Required Experience and Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Pulp and Paper Science, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in product development and/or paper/board manufacturing.
• Proven leadership experience in a technical or managerial capacity.

Required Skills:

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across all organizational levels.
• Deep understanding of product design principles and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated success in problem-solving and driving results.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Self-motivated with the ability to lead and develop others.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining customer relationships.

Note:position will be onsite at any one of our physical locations (Quinnesec, Escanaba, Wisconsin Rapids, Miamisburg).

Application information

Billerud NA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualifiedapplicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin,protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability.

Why us?

• Be part of a dynamic team within Billerud
• An opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable future
• Development and career opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement and certificate courses offered through partner schools.
• Performance-based bonus
• You can choose among three medical plans designed to help you and your family stay healthy (with virtual care options!).
• Generous 401K match including discretionary annual contribution
• HSA Contribution match with additional contribution for annual preventive exam
• Company paid Disability Coverage
• Wellness rewards program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Opportunity to hybrid working according to company standard

Our recruitment process may include interviews, recruitment test, referencechecks, and alcohol & drug testing.

Do you want to help create a sustainable future through your work?

At Billerud, we are fully committed to reduce our and our customers carbon footprint by offering high-performance paper and packaging materials. We are convinced that the right solutions can be important toolsto help fight climate change. That's why we see it as our responsibility to enable the best packaging choices, for a bettertomorrow.

Our proud history in the forestry and paper industry goes back more than 150 years. Since then, we've grown to what we are today: a world leading company in high-performing paper and packaging materials - passionately committed to sustainability, quality, and customer value. Our materials are the basis of packaging and paper products used by millions of people around the world, 24 hours a day, all yearround.

We serve customers in more than 100 countries through our three business areas Liquid Packaging Board, Paper and Paper Board. Our nine production units are located in Sweden, USA, and Finland and we have around 6,000 employees in 19 countries. Our annual turnover is approximately SEK 43.5 billion and the share is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. At Billerud we always put safety first, care for each other, and do what we say.

Join us in redefining sustainable packaging and drive meaningful change for a bettertomorrow.See Also

Our production units are surrounded by beautiful forests and rivers. Click here to see our locations.

Billerud In the world

Billerud's sales organisation is committed to efficiently serving all of its customers around the world. Click here to find us.

Why Billerud?

We consider our employees to be our most important resource – it is thanks to them and our values that we are Billerud.

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