Turf Fiber Technical Manager

• Manage technical initiatives within the turf fiber and color operations by providing leadership in the following areas:
• Collaborate with Turf sales, marketing and business leadership to understand market drivers and translate these into innovation of new products and platforms.
• Align with vendors and internal sourcing partners for evaluation of new raw materials for enhanced performance, value and sustainability.
• Strategically coordinate all product development to ensure intellectual property (IP) protection is achieved to maintain future competitive advantage in the marketplace.
• Provide technical support for turf manufacturing and fiber color operations by troubleshooting quality and process issues in order to identify and implement solutions.
• Responsible for coaching and supporting direct reports, providing a motivating work environment, and growing future leaders in the organization.
• Design and coordinate lab studies, pilot trials, and production trials (XRs, MTRs, and TPRs) to develop appropriate fiber extrusion, and turf compound formulations and coatings, backing constructions, and process settings that will achieve performance and costing goals for new products.
• Ensure that the products being developed meet all global safety, environmental, and other regulatory requirements and industry standards, as well as requirements for necessary product certifications by outside entities (e.g., Green Label Plus, Cradle-to-Cradle, etc).
• Ensure that company assets, including supplies, fixed assets, raw materials, and intellectual property, are protected.
• Lead and/or serve on cross-functional teams, product development teams, and technical groups promoting sustainable product design that meets or exceeds all performance requirements.

• Four year degree in polymer chemistry or engineering field is required.
• A minimum of 5+ years' experience in turf/turf fiber OR 10+ years other plastics/extrusion manufacturing experience is required.
• Ability to travel (primarily domestically) - 50%
• Forward-looking, adaptive thinker with a strong, critical mindset
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including refined presentation skills
• Strong business acumen
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential business information
• Ability to understand major enterprise and business issues and challenges
• Ability to lead and influence a team of cross-divisional internal leaders

Demonstrates expertise in polymer chemistry and engineering, with a strong focus on turf fiber and color operations. Proven ability to lead product development initiatives while ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

• Polymer Chemistry
• Turf Fiber Operations
• Product Development
• Regulatory Compliance
• Team Leadership

• Fiber Extrusion
• Turf Compound Formulation
• Process Troubleshooting
• Product Certification
• Lab Studies Coordination

• Exceptional Communication Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Business Acumen
• Team Influence
• Motivational Leadership

• Green Label Plus
• Cradle-to-Cradle

• Turf Manufacturing
• Sustainability
• Intellectual Property Protection
• Cross-Functional Teams
• Market Innovation