Chief Operating Officer Named Tamer Abuaita Takes the Helm at Novolex
Novolex®, a prominent leader in the food and beverage packaging industry, has announced the appointment of Tamer Abuaita as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. The strategic move comes at a pivotal moment for the company, as it continues to execute its post-merger integration with Pactiv Evergreen and embarks on a new chapter of growth, operational consolidation, and transformation.
In his new role, Abuaita will assume comprehensive responsibility for all global operating functions across the Novolex enterprise. He will be based at the company’s headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, and report directly to Stan Bikulege, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Novolex.
Abuaita succeeds Doug Owenby, who has been serving as Interim Chief Operating Officer during the company’s initial phase of integration following its combination with Pactiv Evergreen. Owenby, a seasoned industry executive who helped guide the business through this complex transitional period, will remain with Novolex in an advisory capacity to ensure continuity and support as Abuaita takes the reins.
“Tamer is a proven and results-driven leader with a distinguished career in global operations,” said CEO Stan Bikulege. “His depth of expertise in manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, procurement, and end-to-end operational execution has consistently translated into value creation and excellence for the companies he’s served. As Novolex continues to centralize and harmonize its operations following our strategic integration, Tamer’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping the operational backbone of our combined organization. His arrival marks a significant milestone in our journey to optimize efficiencies, elevate service delivery, and unlock the full potential of our scale.”
A Global Operations Leader with Deep Industry Experience
Abuaita brings to Novolex more than three decades of leadership experience in global operations, spanning various sectors including consumer goods, industrial manufacturing, and supply chain management. Most recently, he served as Chief Supply Chain Officer and President of the Industrial segment at Stanley Black & Decker, a Fortune 500 company recognized for its innovative tools and industrial solutions.
At Stanley Black & Decker, Abuaita led a comprehensive transformation of the global supply chain, enhancing resilience, improving cost structures, and optimizing procurement and logistics functions across a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. He was also responsible for leading industrial operations with a focus on innovation, margin expansion, and strategic sourcing. His contributions helped the company respond effectively to supply chain volatility while continuing to meet global demand and growth objectives.
Prior to his tenure at Stanley Black & Decker, Abuaita held senior operational leadership roles at several globally recognized corporations. His experience includes critical roles at Nestlé, where he gained extensive knowledge of food and beverage production systems, and at The H.J. Heinz Company, where he helped streamline manufacturing operations. Following the Kraft and Heinz merger, he was instrumental in supporting integration initiatives and leading performance improvement efforts.’
He also served in executive roles at SC Johnson, where he managed global supply chain initiatives and implemented technology-driven operational enhancements that yielded significant cost savings and efficiency improvements. Throughout his career, Abuaita has established a reputation as a change agent who excels at aligning operations with overarching business strategies and building cohesive teams across geographies.
Abuaita holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Vanderbilt University and a bachelor’s degree in business from California Polytechnic State University. His academic foundation, paired with decades of global experience, positions him to bring both strategic thinking and operational rigor to his role at Novolex.
A Vision for the Future of Novolex
Commenting on his appointment, Abuaita expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to help shape the future of a company that plays a critical role in the global packaging ecosystem.
“I am honored to join Novolex at such a transformational moment in its history,” said Abuaita. “The company has a strong legacy of innovation, a growing global presence, and a powerful purpose that aligns closely with my own values—particularly its commitment to sustainability, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction. I look forward to working with our talented team members around the world to build a unified, world-class operations platform that will enhance performance, deliver unmatched value to our customers, and support our long-term growth objectives.”
Abuaita’s arrival comes as Novolex continues its ambitious effort to integrate and streamline operations following its combination with Pactiv Evergreen. The integration is aimed at creating a more agile, scalable organization capable of serving a broad customer base with increased efficiency and responsiveness.
With Abuaita at the helm of operations, the company is poised to implement new systems, align manufacturing and supply chain functions, and improve the consistency and sustainability of its offerings. His background in operational turnaround and end-to-end transformation is expected to help Novolex accelerate its initiatives in digitalization, automation, and lean manufacturing.
Driving Sustainable, Long-Term Value
Novolex, which produces a wide range of paper and plastic packaging products for foodservice, grocery, retail, and industrial markets, is increasingly focused on driving sustainable value creation across its entire value chain. The company has made notable strides in advancing its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, including the development of recyclable and compostable products and the implementation of closed-loop recycling systems at several of its facilities.
“Tamer’s leadership will be vital as we double down on our efforts to be not only a leader in packaging innovation, but also a responsible steward of environmental resources,” added Bikulege. “His ability to drive operational performance while maintaining a long-term view of sustainability and stakeholder value makes him uniquely qualified to guide Novolex through this exciting phase of evolution.”
As Novolex embarks on this next chapter with a sharpened focus on excellence, integration, and innovation, the appointment of Tamer Abuaita as Chief Operating Officer signals the company’s ongoing commitment to investing in top-tier talent and building a best-in-class organizational structure.
