Market Innovation Manager – Materials, Plastics and Packaging

Company: UL
Location: Arlington Heights
Posted on: October 11, 2021

Job Description:

Thousands of us around the world wake up every day with a common purpose: to make the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place. Science is in our DNA; we are endlessly curious and passionate about seeking and speaking the truth. We take delight in knowing that our work makes a meaningful contribution to society, and we are proud that our culture is centered on integrity, collaboration, inclusion and excellence. UL stands at the forefront of technological advancement, and we are continually challenged to find new ways to foster innovation and positive change. Satisfying? Yes. Exciting? Absolutely!

Manages and coordinates customer driven innovation in the dynamic Supply Chain business, focusing on building new offerings advancing ingredient, advanced materials, and plastics selection for more sustainable, compliant products. Assists business leadership in driving profitable growth for UL through the development of industry & regional strategies, goals and roadmaps to help supply chains integrate compliant, more sustainable materials in design, formulations and/or packaging. Works with UL customers, industry associations, and other stakeholders to discover and prioritize unmet client needs. Translates growth strategies into actionable steps, working with business leadership, product managers, and other groups, as needed, to ensure seamless and timely execution. Works closely with business leadership, product management, and others to develop & launch new solutions and lead their implementation with pilot clients.  

• Leads the scoping and development of new material selection, supply chain material selection and sourcing, and “Design for Compliance” programs in UL’s dynamic, fast-paced Supply Chain software business.
• Serves as subject matter expert for building customer solutions to help make more sustainable and/or compliant materials and components available in research, development, and design.
• Work with segment leadership and product management team to further expand UL extended producer responsibility (EPR) solutions.
• Manages and coordinates on behalf of Supply Chain COU with UL’s larger customers and stakeholders to build new solutions to generate revenue growth.
• Understands Data as a Service and Software as a Service business models and can help innovate solutions in these spaces.
• Supports “land and expand” strategy by identifying new markets and industries to penetrate with COU solutions, working with UL’s broad network of customers and partners.
• Builds clear business cases, including budgeting and financial forecasting, for software and data solutions.
• Coordinates across UL enterprise to position Supply Chain solutions and optimize market adoption across applicable industry verticals.
• Activates the development of new, innovative solutions, and leads their implementation with pilot clients.
• Conduct and participate in Client Discovery and translate learning into needs and action.
• Interacts with existing and new clients, startup-scene, partners and more to establish/maintain UL’s position as an innovative player in the sustainability market.
• Develops and coordinates executive presentations and de-briefings.
• Performs other duties as directed.

• University Degree (Equivalent to Bachelor degree) in Chemistry, Packaging Design, Sustainability, Business Administration, Marketing or a related disciplines required. Masters degree in related discipline desired.
• Requires 5-8 years of industry experience with personal care, plastics, coatings, or other materials; and/or experience with packaging design, with some portion of that in customer-facing roles.
• Software industry domain expertise and the ability to understand complex technology problems preferred.
• Curious with a demonstrated ability to engage executives with a compelling value-add strategy approach.
• Desire to bring stakeholders along, solicit input, and work collaboratively with leaders and teams across multiple levels and disciplines.
• Commercial acumen, bringing high standards into the strategic discussions and decisions.
• Ability to combine great energy and entrepreneurship - be inquisitive and challenge the status quo.

Mission: For UL, corporate and social responsibility isn’t new.  Making the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place has been our business model for the last 125 years and is deeply engrained in everything we do.

People: Ask any UL employee what they love most about working here, and you’ll almost always hear, “the people.” Going beyond what is possible is the standard at UL.  We’re able to deliver the best because we employ the best.

Interesting work: Every day is different for us here as we eagerly anticipate the next innovation that our customers’ create. We’re inspired to take on the challenge that will transform how people live, work and play. And as a global company, in many roles,  you will get international experience working with colleagues around the world.

Grow & achieve: We learn, work and grow together with targeted development, reward and recognition programs as well as our very own UL University that offers extensive training programs for employees at all stages, including a technical training track for applicable roles.

Total Rewards: All employees at UL are eligible for bonus compensation. UL offers a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Additionally, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. We provide Healthcare Reimbursement Accounts and Health Savings Accounts that UL contributes to twice per year! Depending on your role, you can work with your manager on flexible working arrangements. We also provide employees with paid time off including vacation, holiday, sick and volunteer time off.

Working at UL is an exciting journey that twists and turns daily. We thrive in the twists and revel in the turns. This is our every day. This is our normal.  

Curious? To learn more about us and the work we do, visit UL.com. 

Keywords: UL, Arlington Heights , Market Innovation Manager – Materials, Plastics and Packaging, Other , Arlington Heights, Illinois