Resin/Polymer Specialist - BOPP

Job Description

Resin Specialist – BOPP Technology

Position Title

Resin Specialist – BOPP Technology

Location:

Terre Haute IN

Reports to Head of Operations based in Terre Haute

Position Summary

The Resin Specialist is the company's subject matter expert on polypropylene resins and related additives used in the manufacture of BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) films. This role provides technical leadership in resin selection, qualification, troubleshooting, process optimization, supplier collaboration, and new product development.

The Resin Specialist works closely with Manufacturing, Procurement, R&D, Product Development, Quality, and Commercial teams globally to maximize production efficiency, improve film performance, reduce costs, and accelerate innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Resin Technology Leadership

• Serve as the global technical expert on polypropylene resins used for BOPP film production.
• Develop deep understanding of resin structure-property relationships and their impact on film processing and performance.
• Recommend optimal resin grades for various film applications.
• Evaluate alternative resin technologies to improve competitiveness.
• Establish global resin selection standards and technical specifications.

Production Support

• Support manufacturing in Terre Haute in resolving resin-related production issues.
• Analyze process variability caused by resin characteristics.
• Optimize extrusion and stretching conditions based on resin behavior.
• Improve line efficiency through resin optimization.
• Minimize waste, breaks, gels, fish eyes, and process instability.
• Participate in root cause analysis for major production problems.

Supplier Management

• Act as the technical interface with global resin suppliers and procurement.
• Qualify new resin suppliers and new resin grades.
• Lead resin performance trials.
• Review supplier technical documentation.
• Benchmark supplier technologies and innovations.
• Build long-term technical partnerships with resin manufacturers.

Product Development

• Support development of new BOPP film products.
• Recommend resin formulations for specialty applications including:
• High clarity films
• High stiffness films
• Heat seal films
• Label films
• Capacitor films
• Matte films
• Metallizable films
• Tobacco films
• Sustainable film solutions
• Work closely with Product Development Engineers during commercialization.

Technical Troubleshooting

Provide technical support for issues including:

• Melt fracture
• Gels
• Fish eyes
• Die build-up
• Bubble instability
• Gauge variation
• Poor orientation
• Stretching breaks
• Low output
• Surface defects
• Haze
• Optical defects
• Heat seal inconsistencies
• COF variations
• Poor metallization performance
• Resin contamination

Innovation

• Monitor global resin technology developments and compare with our current resin and assets and recommend the improvements for productivity.
• Evaluate new catalyst technologies.
• Investigate bio-based and recycled PP resins.
• Support circular economy initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for downgauging and improved sustainability.

Testing & Data Analysis

• Interpret resin characterization data including:
• Melt Flow Index (MFI)
• Molecular Weight Distribution
• Density
• Isotacticity
• Xylene Solubles
• Ash Content
• DSC
• Crystallinity
• Rheology
• Correlate laboratory results with plant performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Collaborate closely with:

• Manufacturing
• Global Procurement
• Quality
• R&D
• Product Development
• Supply Chain
• Sales
• Marketing
• Operations Leadership

Provide technical training to plant teams worldwide.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Plastics Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Master's or Ph.D. in Polymer Science is preferred.

Experience

• 8–15 years of experience in polypropylene resin technology.
• Minimum 5 years supporting BOPP film manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of resin manufacturing technologies.
• Experience working with major PP resin suppliers.

Preferred experience with suppliers such as:

• LyondellBasell
• Borealis
• Braskem
• ExxonMobil
• INEOS
• SABIC
• Reliance Industries
• Total Energies
• CNPC
• Sinopec

Technical Knowledge

Strong understanding of:

• Polypropylene chemistry
• Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems
• Metallocene PP
• Random copolymers
• Impact copolymers
• Homo polymers
• BOPP extrusion
• TDO/MDO orientation
• Rheology
• Additive technology
• Slip systems
• Antiblock technology
• Nucleating agents
• Processing aids

Knowledge of downstream applications including:

• Packaging
• Labels
• Lamination
• Metallization
• Printing
• Heat seal technologies

Competencies

• Technical problem solving
• Analytical thinking
• Data-driven decision making
• Project management
• Supplier relationship management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Global mindset
• Innovation
• Effective communication
• Continuous improvement mindset

Success Measures (KPIs)

• Increased efficiency and output from the manufacturing.
• Reduction in production waste
• Improvement in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Reduction in film defects
• Qualification of new resin grades
• Speed of technical problem resolution
• Improvement in line productivity
• Successful commercialization of new products
• Supplier performance improvements
• Sustainability improvements through optimized resin usage

Travel

Approximately 25–40% global travel to manufacturing facilities across Ti, supplier sites, and technical conferences.