Cruz Foam is a materials technology company that’s working to catalyze the global transition from single use petroleum-based plastics to all natural, renewable materials. We strive for global adoption of circular solutions without compromise. For more information visit www.cruzfoam.com.
Cruz Foam is a mission-driven company dedicated to accelerating the adoption of sustainable material. We achieve our mission by hiring truly talented people that are inspired, kind and work extremely hard to make simple yet transformational sustainable products that solve complex customer problems. We are a diverse, human-centric company where inspired people make inspirational products.
The Sr. Manager – Compounding and Foam Extrusion will be a member of the Commercial Operations Team, reporting to the VP of Ops & Supply Chain. They will work closely with the R&D, Production and Product teams to develop new formulations and coordinate the transition to Commercial Operations. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in foam extrusion (e.g., crosslinked, non-crosslinked, XPS, EPS, PE, or PP foams) and in compounding thermoplastic materials with additives, fillers, and modifiers.
Location: Greensboro, NC with > 25-30% travel to manufacturing sites in the Midwest and West Coast. (Cruz Foam, Inc. HQ is in Santa Cruz, CA.)
About you:
● You are a passionate, creative, and curious problem solver with a can-do attitude.
● You prioritize kindness and collaboration.
● You are comfortable wearing many hats and enjoy pushing the limits of your comfort zone.
● You care deeply about the environment and commit to using your superpowers to help.
If you’re excited about this role, but do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed above, Cruz Foam encourages you to apply.
We are an equal opportunity employer. At Cruz Foam we value the diversity of individuals, ideas, perspectives, insights and values, and what they bring to the workplace. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified applicants with disabilities in our job application and recruitment process.
In this role you will get to:
Support our mission by leading efforts to grow our commercial operationsSupport cross-functional projects to deliver world-class products and coordinate communications between teams in all departmentsEmbrace a culture of effective teamwork within a Production environmentStartup Operations & Setup
Assist with installation and commissioning of extrusion and compounding linesPartner with engineering and R&D to validate and scale new formulationsBuild out SOPs, safety protocols, and process documentationProduction & Process Leadership
Operate and supervise initial production batches and small-scale manufacturingDevelop scalable processes for foam sheet or profile extrusion using physical/chemical blowing agentsManage in-house compounding of polymers with additives, fillers, or specialty resinsTeam Development
Hire, train, and lead a small but growing production team as the company scalesFoster a lean, safety-conscious, and performance-oriented team cultureCollaborate with R&D, quality, sales, finance and productContinuous Improvement & Innovation
Monitor process KPIs and drive improvements in yield, consistency, cell structure, overall equipment efficiencySolve real-time manufacturing issues and own root cause/corrective action implementationSupport prototyping and small-volume custom runs for customers or product pilotsMaterial & Equipment Ownership
Lead selection and qualification of raw materials (e.g., polymers, foaming agents, additives)Own equipment decisions: extruders, dies, pelletizers, chillers, controlsEnsure compliance with safety, regulatory, and environmental requirements from day one
Ideal candidate qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Plastics Engineering, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field (master’s preferred)10+ years of experience in plastics processing with at least 5 years in foam extrusion and polymer compoundingHands-on knowledge of physical and chemical foaming techniques, plastics compounding, polymer rheology and extrusion designStrong understanding of twin-screw compounding technologiesLean manufacturing & Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher)Proven track record for successfully implementing R&D developments into scaled up commercial operationsIncludes experience with raw material and equipment sourcing as well as development and implementation of any QC instruments and testing protocolsExperience in startup or greenfield manufacturing environments is strongly preferredStrong leadership, project management, and cross-functional coordination skillsAbility to clearly articulate complex ideas and excellent communication skillsAbility to thrive and adapt in a fast-paced, high-growth and rapidly changing environmentCreativity and ability to work independently with limited guidance