Job Summary
The Ideal candidate brings the ability to lead the global technical decorative coatings team while delivering innovative new paint technologies to our customers. Driving the development of next-gen architectural products and testing methods that expand our existing portfolio through collaborating with internal R&D Synthesis, Marketing and Product Stewardship teams as well as external partners will be a key measure of success. Supporting the sales of our existing portfolio to address customer needs and demonstrating how Elementis technologies can deliver improved performance attributes while driving performance specialties sales.
Job Description
Position in Organization
Reports to: R&D Director, Performance Specialties
Direct Reports: Manager / 6 direct reports (3 Europe, 2 S. America, 1 N. America)
Department: Research & Development
Responsibilities
1. Build a deep understanding of customer needs to support new business opportunities and customer projects.
2. Lead a global team of scientists responsible for application testing, technical assessment and performance evaluation of our product offering.
3. Identify potential new applications for Elementis products and support commercial teams in capturing new business, assessing market trends, developing business cases, and evaluating benchmark materials.
4. Drive regular Technical Review Meetings with customers and develop strong customer relationships through innovative concepts and technology presentations.
5. Support trade studies to differentiate and provide recommendations on product options and selection based on customer interests.
6. Provide technical input into the product development stage gate process (from ideation, scoping, technical & commercial feasibility, lab development, launch and technical support).
7. Lead technical training for commercial teams, distributors and customers.
Decision making
The preferred candidate would have the authority to make discissions related to technical direction, experimental methodologies, formulation approaches and product development processes. Authority to make talent development and hiring decisions within Company standards. Recommends training content, testing approaches and methodologies. Higher level approval required for non budgetary resourcing and expenditures.
What will it take
Job Competencies
Building effective teams: Drive team engagement through strong leadership, maintaining an inclusive culture, and developing technical talent.
Customer focus: Drive product development and opportunities for future business through insight and understanding of customer needs.
Cultivates innovation: By promoting an innovative mindset, foster a culture of creativity and exploration within the team, encouraging them to think outside the box and generate novel ideas, and drive continuous improvement in products, processes and technologies.
Communicates effectively: Utilizing different modes of communication to understand and translate customer needs into future products and applications. Harnessing the collective expertise of the team, customers, and external research partners to develop innovative solutions.
Technical Knowledge and Skills
Advanced understanding of product development processes and methodologies for Decorative paints
Advanced experience in leading and managing global technical teams
Intermediate awareness of regulatory guidelines and restrictions for new product development
Intermediate project management skills to drive product development projects through to completion with ability of assessing and mitigating risks.
Position Requirements
Education: A degree in chemistry, preferably Master of Science or Ph.D. Relevant areas are Organic chemistry, Polymer chemistry, Physical chemistry,
Experience: 10+ years of practical experience of coating formulation and customer collaboration. Experience in polymer synthesis is desirable but not required. 5+ years leading R&D teams.
IT Skills: Microsoft Office, Presentation software, Project management software
Language Skills: Verbal and written fluency in English.
Working arrangements: minimum 3 days in the office, 5 days for lab roles
Traveling required: 25- 35% of travel required.