Senior Scientist - Flexible Packaging

H.B. Fuller • St. Paul, MN

7d • $95,000 - $110,000

About The Position

As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2024 revenue of $3.6 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,500 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets. Learn more at www.hbfuller.com. H.B. Fuller is seeking a highly skilled Senior Scientist to support our Flexible Packaging business segment in North America. This role is a critical driver of innovation, business continuity, and strategic growth. You will lead complex, high‑impact technical programs focused on developing next‑generation adhesive technologies used across laminating, pouching, food packaging, and other flexible packaging applications. This position is ideal for a scientist with deep polymer, adhesive, or materials experience who thrives in a fast‑paced, customer‑centric environment.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or Chemical Engineering with 2+ years of industry experience OR Master’s degree with 4+ years of industry experience OR Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of industry experience
• Industry experience in adhesives, polymers, chemical formulations, packaging materials, or related fields

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience with Flexible Packaging adhesive technologies, including Polyurethanes, Acrylics, or Hot Melts.
• Knowledge of flexible packaging structures, converting processes, laminating equipment, curing behavior, and substrate interactions (films, foils, papers, etc.).
• Strong understanding of raw materials and manufacturing processes relevant to adhesive production (reactive systems, mixing, extrusion, coating, etc.).
• Familiarity with regional and global regulatory requirements for food packaging and consumer safety.
• Experience working in cross-functional and global teams, influencing without authority, and managing complex project portfolios.
• SAP experience and comfort working with digital tools for project management, formulation work, and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex product development initiatives using Stage-Gate methodology, with a focus on flexible packaging adhesives (solvent‑free, solvent-based, water-based, or hot melt).
• Design and develop patentable or proprietary adhesive technologies that enhance performance, sustainability, and processability for flexible packaging applications.
• Apply DOE/statistical analysis, polymer structure–property relationships, and materials characterization to solve technical challenges and accelerate innovation.
• Collaborate closely with global partners in Marketing, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Procurement, and Commercial teams to translate customer needs into new product solutions.
• Support scale‑up, plant trials, raw material qualification, and commercialization activities to ensure successful product launches and performance in end‑use applications.
• Provide proactive technical service and troubleshooting to ensure business continuity and deliver customer value.
• Conduct risk assessments and project reviews to ensure alignment with regional and global business strategies.
• Deliver measurable business impact through innovation, intellectual property generation, margin improvement, and accelerated growth of the Flexible Packaging portfolio.

Benefits

• H.B. Fuller offers employees a competitive total rewards package including comprehensive benefits, incentive and recognitions programs, health & wellness benefits, 401K contributions, paid time off and paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree