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Project Leader

Project Leader

Country:  United States
City:  Westbrook
State:  Maine
Location:  Office Technology center
Department:  Research & Development
Posting date:  Oct 9, 2025

Sappi North America
Sappi North America, headquartered in Boston with corporate offices in Portland, Maine, is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited, a global renewable resource company that uses every part of the tree to make sustainable woodfiber products. With over 12,000 employees and operations in seven countries, we serve customers worldwide. Our diversified businesses include Packaging, Speciality and Graphic Papers and Dissolving Pulp, offering premium products for various industries. From cosmetics packaging and food industry barrier papers to textiles and the clothes you wear, Sappi’s solutions are vital to the future of sustainable alternatives to plastic and other fossil fuel-based products. 

Sappi North America
Sappi North America, headquartered in Boston with corporate offices in Portland, Maine, is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited, a global renewable resource company that uses every part of the tree to make sustainable woodfiber products. With over 12,000 employees and operations in seven countries, we serve customers worldwide. Our diversified businesses include Packaging, Speciality and Graphic Papers and Dissolving Pulp, offering premium products for various industries. From cosmetics packaging and food industry barrier papers to textiles and the clothes you wear, Sappi’s solutions are vital to the future of sustainable alternatives to plastic and other fossil fuel-based products. 

Product Development Engineer Role involves technology development as it relates to all aspects of coated paper design for both packaging and specialties printing/converting businesses.   The successful candidate will work as part of a team on developing new technology and products to make more environmentally friendly, better performing and profitable products into the next decade.  This role involves strong collaborations with marketing, procurement and manufacturing functions as well as co-development with our customer and supplier partners.         

Accountabilities:

  • Reports to the Sustainable Packaging Group Manager at the Sappi NA Technology Center in Westbrook Maine.
  • Responsible for all technical aspects of material selection, test development, product testing and design to ensure product offerings meet market and customer expectations. 
  • Responsible for functional coating and application development, including binders, pigments, and process additives and assessment of new supplier offerings.
  • Develop new designs incorporating the use of materials from renewable resources, creating environmentally advantaged products.
  • Provides support and technical leadership to strategic projects driven by the needs of the business.
  • Coordinates and executes complex internal and external pilot plant and manufacturing trials.
  • Leads or participates on cross-functional teams for cost reduction and product development initiatives.

Requirements:

  • PhD, Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Pulp and Paper Science.
  • 5-10 years industrial experience in product development.  Experience in coated paper board, flexible packaging paper and barrier technology development a plus.
  • Knowledge and application of polymer chemistry is preferred or willingness to learn.
  • Ability to work independently or in a team environment, with a proven ability to complete assignments in a timely manner.
  • Solid applications level understanding of paper-making, coating chemistry and process from both practical and fundamental chemical aspects.
  • Strong knowledge of papermaking equipment, and the interaction between materials and process.
  • Must have authorization to work in the United States.  

Product Development Engineer Role involves technology development as it relates to all aspects of coated paper design for both packaging and specialties printing/converting businesses.   The successful candidate will work as part of a team on developing new technology and products to make more environmentally friendly, better performing and profitable products into the next decade.  This role involves strong collaborations with marketing, procurement and manufacturing functions as well as co-development with our customer and supplier partners.         

Accountabilities:

  • Reports to the Sustainable Packaging Group Manager at the Sappi NA Technology Center in Westbrook Maine.
  • Responsible for all technical aspects of material selection, test development, product testing and design to ensure product offerings meet market and customer expectations. 
  • Responsible for functional coating and application development, including binders, pigments, and process additives and assessment of new supplier offerings.
  • Develop new designs incorporating the use of materials from renewable resources, creating environmentally advantaged products.
  • Provides support and technical leadership to strategic projects driven by the needs of the business.
  • Coordinates and executes complex internal and external pilot plant and manufacturing trials.
  • Leads or participates on cross-functional teams for cost reduction and product development initiatives.

Requirements:

  • PhD, Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Pulp and Paper Science.
  • 5-10 years industrial experience in product development.  Experience in coated paper board, flexible packaging paper and barrier technology development a plus.
  • Knowledge and application of polymer chemistry is preferred or willingness to learn.
  • Ability to work independently or in a team environment, with a proven ability to complete assignments in a timely manner.
  • Solid applications level understanding of paper-making, coating chemistry and process from both practical and fundamental chemical aspects.
  • Strong knowledge of papermaking equipment, and the interaction between materials and process.
  • Must have authorization to work in the United States.  

Salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job.

Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job.

Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

ABOUT SAPPI

Sappi is a leading global provider of everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we are building a more circular economy by making what we should, not just what we can.

HR Contact for Questions:
Name:  Bethany Kurlanska
Email:  Bethany.Kurlanska@sappi.com
Telephone number:  207-857-1008

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