Product Development Engineer - Madisonville KY

You have a choice of where you want to work!

We invite you along on our journey to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World.

We aim to attract, retain, and energize passionate people, like you, by investing in your professional development and providing opportunities for personal growth.

Do your values align with ours?

Accountability, Growth mindset, One team, Care and a fair and inclusive work environment for everyone, everywhere!

We strive to meet the highest standards of corporate citizenship by protecting the health and safety of our team, safeguarding the environment, and creating a long-lasting, positive impact on the communities where we do business.

Are you with us?

About the Opportunity: This position is responsible for managing a portfolio of product development projects and supporting new business initiatives within the Glass Fiber Tissue business unit in US.

You will be working at our newly invested production facility in Madisonville KY.

In addition you will be leading project initiatives as the technical contact with customers, plants, suppliers and other relevant functions for project success.

You will be working closely with Product Managers to ensure product development activities are aligned with Product strategies.

Interact closely with sales team to support and manage customer project portfolio.

Guide efforts with sourcing teams to manage raw material strategy and supplier relations.

Essential Function and Main Responsibilities: * Key contact within product development in US, linking market information and customer needs/requests to concrete product development and improvement actions and projects.

* Management of the USA product development project portfolio of the GFT business unit to ensure alignment with the strategy and a proper balance of long-term versus short-term projects.

* Interact and coordinate closely with Product Managers and Sales to ensure priorities and focus of PD team align with product strategies.

* Follow-up on technology development and actively propose opportunities for development.

* Interact with and support the global PD teams as necessary.

* Support business unit and the Plant in product development activities, technology transfer, qualification trials for products or raw materials and changes of process as well as for troubleshooting activities * Work in close cooperation with Product Management, Technical Customer Service, Operations and Sales * Support regulatory aspects linked to PD activities, including patents, in collaboration with IP function Education, Experience and Credentials: * Bachelor's degree in engineering (chemical or material) * At least 5 years of experience in technical roles, such as product development and R&D, with strong focus on innovation, within a challenging industrial environment * Result and customer oriented mindset * Excellent analytical and organizational skills * Good communication and networking skills, both internally and externally * Strong problem solving skills Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: * Preferably a background in product development in Glass Fiber related products or industries * Requires the ability to use multiple computer programs/systems including MS Office Suite.

* Requires the ability to work independently while fostering a team environment.

* Provide leadership and mentoring to less experienced team members.

* Project coordination experience and solid troubleshooting skills * Exercise a high degree of independent judgment, self-motivation and communication skills both verbal and written.

* Lead and participate on problem-solving teams, facilitating the use of problem-solving techniques and tools.

* Understanding of basic manufacturing supply chain, processes flow and manufacturing equipment * Good mechanical and mathematical aptitudes.

* Willingness to travel.

Domestic and occasional international travel.

Physial Requirements: * Significant time spent on the manufacturing environment with machine operators.

* Dedicated keyboard and computer screen work.

* Ability to work safely in a R&D laboratory with little to no supervision.

* The employee must possess the ability to see, hear, talk, sit, stand, walk, and use fingers to manipulate controls.

* The employee is frequently required to bend, stoop, and lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.

* Ability to be on call to come in and help work on machinery and to also answer questions in the plant.

* Some travel required.

Compensation and Benefits: Ahlstrom offers a Competitive Salary with Career Growth Opportunities and a Full Benefits Package including Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance, Company Provided Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Competitive 401(K) Plan with Company Match and Defined Contributions, and Short-Term Incentive Bonus Program.

Other available benefits include Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, and group rates available for MetLife Home & Auto Insurance as well as Nationwide Pet Insurance.

Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which we are firmly bound.

Ahlstrom will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with our company based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non-disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials.

Join our journey to create a more sustainable world with products and solutions that Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World.

Our three divisions, Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions.

We are deeply committed to building and maintaining safe and inclusive environment and culture, where everyone feels valued and respected.

At Ahlstrom, we all have equal opportunities to belong and reach our full potential.

Our net sales in 2024 amounted to EUR 3.0 billion and we employ some 6,800 people.

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