Manager, R&D

Job Title

Supervise and provide leadership to intra-department groups of Chemists/Scientists/Technologists in the Research & Development department. Provide guidance, development, and leadership to the R&D department and with other internal company functions. The Manager, Research and Development facilitates the collaboration of Chemists/Scientists to develop new products as well as the enhancement of existing products.

Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned, as necessary.

Manage Team (40%)

• Prioritize and allocate work:
  Delegate and allocate manageable goals to employees to support company priorities and drive results. Clearly define to team-members project responsibilities and performance expectations for long- and short-term work plans. Set clear priorities for team and individuals, including appropriate allocation of resources (time, money and people).
• Assess and Reward Performance:
  Provide team with timely, fair and measured performance assessments and feedback to foster growth. Provide reward and recognition for performance as appropriate. Address performance concerns and hold team accountable.
• Build Team Culture:
  Consistently hold employees accountable for upholding the organizations values. Proactively manage unhealthy conflict among employees and take steps to prevent escalation. Foster an open environment where employees feel able to provide constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement.
• Communicate and Motivate:
  Communicate regular business updates. Convey information in a clear and timely manner. Listen carefully to the views and opinions of peers and colleagues.

Design, Develop and Validate - (25%)

• Devise and conduct experiments to solve increasingly complex problems.
• Evaluate and suggest new raw materials through regular communication with raw material suppliers.
• Review and perform competitive testing and analysis as required.
• Maintain a clean working laboratory environment as well as properly working equipment. Ensure that all instruments that required periodic calibration and validation requirements do so per laboratory calibration/validation procedures.
• Comply with all laboratory, company, State and Federal safety regulations.

Provide Product Support - (20%)

• Maintain cooperative, professional attitude with all LATICRETE employees and customers.
• Support Technical Services requests to evaluate field complaints in specific area.
• Support Operations in evaluating product inconsistencies & providing disposition
• Participate in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Communicate results within R&D, cross-functional departments and Stage Gate Review meetings.
• Help organize and participate in field trials as required.
• Interact with end-use customers and contractors to understand product usage, limitations, and needs.
• Represent R&D at Trade shows, Trade committees, Standardization authorities in US and around the world.
• Drive Cost Out Initiatives to ensure most economical production cost with respect to the expected performance of the product. Determine Quality Control parameters for product testing.

Data Analysis and Documentation - (15%)

• Responsible for documenting all work via approved methods and sharing developments via occasional technical presentations.
• Independently process, analyze, and interpret results and data in specific area.
• Summarize ongoing work and findings to colleagues during department meetings.
• Coach the scientists and Chemists on procedures, train them to be independent performers/formulators.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• BS/MS in Chemistry, Material Science, Polymer Science or relevant Engineering discipline is required.
• 8+ years of product development experience.
• 5+ year demonstrated success leading team.

Specialized

Skills and Experience:

• Experience formulating products in a research and development lab…