Technology Innovations Director

Domtar is a leading producer of pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products. Through our focus on safety and sustainability, as well as our commitment to operational excellence and our network of facilities across Canada and the United States, Domtar delivers high-quality and cost-effective products to customers around the world.

Our workforce is comprised of 14,000 talented and hardworking individuals. We are proud to offer competitive compensation, a supportive working environment, rewarding career paths and plenty of opportunities for learning and growth.

The location in Fort Mill, (South Carolina, United States), is seeking talent to fill the position of Technology Innovations Director. This job is full-time permanent.

This role reports to the Quality, Innovation, and Manufacturing Strategic Support, Vice President. 

Key Responsibilities

Safety – lead the Technology/NPD, Innovations, and Process Innovation Teams in development of personal safety habits, supporting personal and corporate safety goals.
Technology Support – provide technology management of Domtar products across the system to ensure product consistency, performance, end-use functionality, and provide technical support for product guarantees.  Ensure Domtar is maintaining a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Product Quality - work with Sales, Mills and Quality Excellence team on OEM/customer certifications and address/resolve acute and chronic quality issues relating to product design and fit for use assessment. 
Manufacturing Network Support – work with Sales & Planning to lead/support system optimization, grade transfers, cost savings, and manufacturing efficiency initiatives which reach across the manufacturing network.
Mill Support - provide technical support to pulp, paper, packaging, and tissue manufacturing locations on identified projects including Management of Change, Mill Trial Tracking, Wet End Characterization, Wet End Audits, Distributive Specification Management; support mill/system specific projects to address critical issues as they arise.
Product Regulatory Support – Provide primary product regulatory support for Domtar ensuring efficient and compliant processes across multiple products and markets.
Interbusiness Unit Collaboration - Work across business units to set product technology and innovation standards, collaborate with manufacturing and commercial teams, and prioritize resource
Product Development - Work with Sales, Manufacturing and Converting Groups to define and prioritize grade development opportunities and optimizations, organizing and conducting trials, documenting results and customer feedback for successful product launch and product improvements
New Technology - search, identify and investigate new technology to enhance Domtar products to ensure differentiation in the marketplace through product performance, functionality, cost improvement, runnability, etc.
Emerging Technology – work with outside research and third-party resources to identify and evaluate new, emerging technology that aligns with Domtar’s short and long term strategic goals.
Intellectual Property – Counsels and supports projects involving intellectual property, including due diligence and licensing matters.
Product Technology Negotiation – Reviews, analyzes, and negotiates complex technical contracts and license agreements requiring expert understanding of strategic direction, technical specifications, market trends, and legal terms to secure favorable outcomes for the company while managing relationships with product technology providers.
Project Management - manage the direction and scope of all technical and innovation projects (may or may not be R&D) based on the needs of the business - what has near term and long-term value, how technical learnings may benefit our manufacturing environment and what support is needed to facilitate their exploration and adoption.
 

Minimum Experience and Competencies Required

Education: Bachelor of paper science, engineering, chemistry degree or similar; advance degree a plus; at least 5 years’ experience in paper industry in marketing, technical or manufacturing; experience in Technical/R&D Management; good leadership, communication and influencing skills; pro-active and creative with good capacity of autonomy; well-organized, good multi-tasking skills.

Years of Experience:10+ or appropriate experience

Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge of pulp and papermaking processes
Knowledge of paper properties and their relation to papermaking variables
Leadership of the Innovations Team – provide guidance, vision and strategy within the group to deliver the group, department and company objectives.
Ability to investigate a situation, assess data, draw conclusions, make and support recommendations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to distill large volumes of data into concise summaries.
Ability to effectively work with multiple levels of the organization to achieve a project or goal.
Must operate independently with minimal guidance
Excellent organizational skills, with ability to manage priorities

You will be required to successfully complete a selection process that could include interviews, an employment background check, a pre-employment drug and alcohol screen, reference verifications, aptitude tests (for some positions), and a fitness-for-duty test (for some positions). 

 
Domtar is an equal-opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, color, sex (including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), marital status, religion, national origin, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.  We are also committed to ensuring reasonable accommodations for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990.

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation email.  If you are selected to interview, you will be contacted by a member of our Human Resources team.  

To learn more about our company, consult the Domtar Company Web Site and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.