Job Description

Are you a PhD qualified chemist with technical and people management experience in the coatings industry? If so this may be the role for you! CK Group are recruiting for a Research and Development Technical Manager to join a materials\' coatings manufacturing company based in Bolton on a full time, permanent basis.

The Company:

Our client is a global leader in specialty materials. They offer a wide range of premium applications and their broad portfolio of technologies combines polymers,fibres and resins. They now have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to lead Product Development. The R&D Manager will be responsible for technical management of the R&D function, with two direct reports. New Product Developmentfor the business is key, together with improvement of current products and cost improvements. The successful candidate will interface with a variety of teams within the global organisation. The company offers a salary in the region of \xc2\xa345,000 - \xc2\xa355,000pa depending on experience, as well pension scheme, bonus schemes, 24 days holiday + bank holidays, and an early finish on a Friday.

Location:

The Technical Manager will be based at the company\'s site in Bolton, easily commutable from surrounding areas including Manchester, Rochdale, Bury, Wigan, Preston and Burnley.

R&D Technical Manager Role:

The successful candidate will apply specialised scientific knowledge in coatings and coating formulation, coating processes, paper textile, nonwoven & film substrates. You will demonstrate initiative and be self-motivated, while providing technical leadership, work direction and mentorship to the R&D team.

Your main duties will be:

• Responsibility for the product development, its functional design, and technical support for processing
• Support Marketing and Sales for new business opportunities, product development, technical support, and building customer relationships
• Responsibility for the project management ofthe site\xe2\x80\x99s product development portfolio which includes the development of new products, the adaptation of existing products, the management of the existing product development portfolio
• The position maintains its own portfolio of development and cost-out projects, running lab experiments and product development manufacturing trials
• Oversee the technical development of materials, products processes and the commercialization/Launch of products. Define, implement and control the performance of analysis and testing of product attributes that meet standards within the product portfolio market requirements
• Customer visits will be necessary to understand and align with the needs of the customers or markets. Provide technical support tosales that drives delivering revenue and profitability
• Meet with prospective customers to define and align on their product requirements while communicating technical and process capabilities
• Provide technical support for commercial launch andongoing product support
• Deliver projects on time and within budget
• Manage and direct R&D product platform team, which includes employee development and mentorship
• Assist in the development and training of the Sales team
• Lead cost savingsinitiatives focusing primarily on alternative materials and suppliers
• Represent the company at trade shows and associations meetings

Your Background:

The ideal candidate for this role will have the following skills and experience:

• PhDchemist - strongly preferred
• BSc/ MSc or equivalent qualification essential in Polymer Science/ Polymer Engineering, Emulsion Polymers, Chemistry, Paper Science, Chemical Engineering
• Proven industrial coatings R&D background - strongly preferred. Experience gained with papers and/or textiles would be ideal
• Hands on experience of product design, development and production implementation resulting in new and sustaining products generating new product sales - essential requirement
• Managerial experience in a similar role (people and lab management) - essential requirement
• Experience of print technology, especially print receptive coatings is very desirable
• Proven track record in NPD and problem solving as well as providing strategic solutions
• Experience of working directly with customers and suppliers, and of complaint management and resolution experience
• Willingness to work in a hands on capacity where necessary
• Willingness to travel internationally with work- Project management skills
• Must be able to drive - essential requirement

Apply:

It is essential that applicants hold entitlement to work in the UK. Please quote job reference 55596 in all correspondence.

CK Group