What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Development Manager position at Ahlstrom?
Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our vision is to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. We serve five growing and distinctive end markets, which form the basis for our five divisions: Filtration, Food & Consumer Packaging, Healthcare, Building Materials, and Technical Materials. Our pro forma net sales 2021 for continuing operations amounted to EUR 2.6 billion and we employ some 7,000 people.
Our company has tripled in size in the last five years. To support the growth in our transformation, we are now seeking to expand our team with the addition of a Product Development Manager, Medical Films and Nonwovens to join the Medical Business Unit of Ahlstrom.
Reporting to the Head of Product Development, Medical BU, this role is responsible for the product development of materials utilized in medical consumables, like surgical drapes and surgical gowns. This individual will lead projects, be responsible for design transfers, and be a key resource for medical films in the BU.
Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities:
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 on the basis of 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. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more at
Our company has tripled in size in the last five years. To support the growth in our transformation, we are now seeking to expand our team with the addition of a Product Development Manager, Medical Films and Nonwovens to join the Medical Business Unit of Ahlstrom.
Reporting to the Head of Product Development, Medical BU, this role is responsible for the product development of materials utilized in medical consumables, like surgical drapes and surgical gowns. This individual will lead projects, be responsible for design transfers, and be a key resource for medical films in the BU.
Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead design, development, testing and execution of new products
- Develop product roadmaps aligned with strategic plans and department objectives
- Align with sales to deliver high quality solutions for customers
- Participate in establishing new technology needs and future design activities
- Partner with operations on capital projects
- Improve products, materials or processes for effectiveness and cost
- Drive new raw material qualifications to support alternate supply initiatives
- Coordinate and lead project trials, both internal and external
- Conduct cross-functional project meetings and reviews
- Ensure projects are on time and budget
- Follow all environmental and safety procedures
- Mentor and/or lead junior members
- Partner with support functions and provide technical direction as required
- Master’s / Bachelor’s Degree
- Highly skilled Product Development professional with a background in nonwovens, laminates and films, cast or blown
- Awareness of FDA requirements and ISO standards
- In-depth knowledge of film chemistry with industry connections to experts to assist with solving complex development challenges
- Project management experience
- Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point), and Outlook and Microsoft Team
- Exceptional time management and organization skills; ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously establishing priorities to meet deadlines
- Proactive; exercises sound judgment and decision making; able to identify problems and needs and develop solutions and/or options
- Fluent English skills, written and spoken
- Ability to travel as needed to support trials
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 on the basis of 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. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more at