Environmental/Sustainability/Technical Product Manager

           Job Summary: The Environmental/Sustainability/Technical Manager works in tandem with the Technical Director and Product Management to ensure Versa’s position as an environmental and sustainability    

           leader in decorative surfaces industry. Focus areas include:

• Leading the company’s sustainability initiatives, including certifications, environmental and health declarations.
• Functioning as the company’s environmental/sustainability expert in supporting the Product Management, Sales Service and Sales and Marketing teams in communications with customers.
• Collaborating with the Technical Director to identify and develop new products, product line extensions, and improvements to existing products that are consistent with prudent environmental and sustainability considerations.

         Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• •   Manage, update and maintain all certifications relating to environmental and technical performance including environmental and health declarations and carbon neutral compliance.
  •   Identify and lead initiatives to reduce company’s carbon footprint.
  •   In support of Product, Marketing, and Sales leaders, provide sustainability expertise to customers.
  •  Apply knowledge of materials science and production processes to develop environmentally responsible products that fall into the broad category of flexible decorated surfaces and can be marketed to  commercial and high-end residential customers.
  •  Work in conjunction with the Technical Director and the Operations organization to develop environmentally responsible converting processes for the production of these new products.
  •  Interact regularly with company personnel, including Executive Management, to communicate status, outlook, and challenges with all areas of responsibility.

         Qualification Requirements: 

• On-premises location in New Albany, Indiana.
• B.S. in Engineering, Environmental or Materials Science discipline, preferably a M.S. 
• Experience with sustainability initiatives, including preparation of environmental product declarations, carbon footprint certifications, etc.
• Experience with materials science including polymer films or natural substrates, coatings, adhesives and inks required. 
• Experience in an industrial manufacturing setting, preferably web converting, desirable.
• Product development/validation/commercialization experience helpful.
• Ability to articulate to management team in the form of process feasibility, resourcing, financial planning and project execution required.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to design, communicate, and execute project plans within an aggressive timeline required. 
• Understanding of Phase-Gate, Six-Sigma and Lean practices helpful. 

         Physical Demands:

          The physical demands described here are the representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to                  enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

          Work Environment:

        The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable           individuals to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to computer screens using keyboard functions and other hand usage.

        **The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job             

          change. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the     

         work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.