R&D Manager Water Coatings Metal

R&D Manager Water Based Coatings for Metal

Our client is a privately owned coatings manufacturer that has been in business for a long time. This is an exciting position that will be directing 2‑3 chemists and techs. Collaborative, hands‑on work environment with direct access to executive leadership, customers, and manufacturing onsite. If you are ready to make a big impact in a smaller company, this could be the career move you are looking for!

Director of R&D Water Based Coatings for Metal

The Director of R&D will lead the innovation and development of their full range of high‑performance waterborne coatings. This is a senior‑level, hands‑on formulation leadership role responsible for guiding that direction of their coatings portfolio—including products for automotive, transportation, and general industrial applications. The ideal candidate will bring deep formulation experience, a collaborative leadership style, and a strategic mindset to drive product innovation, process improvement, and team development.

You will supervise other chemists and lab staff while remaining actively involved in lab work, customer engagement, and technical troubleshooting.

• Lead formulation & product development of water‑based coatings including DTM, corrosion‑resistant primers, topcoats, railcar and bridge coatings, axle coatings, and custom industrial applications.
• Manage and mentor a team of chemists and lab technicians (2–3 currently), fostering technical growth and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Define and execute R&D strategy aligned with customer needs, regulatory requirements, and market trends.
• Drive bench‑scale development, lab trials, application testing, and scale‑up for production readiness.
• Partner with the Sales, Operations, and Quality teams to support customer projects, technical service, and new product launches.
• Promote a culture of innovation, problem solving, and continuous improvement, identifying opportunities for enhanced performance, faster dry‑times, or lower VOC.
• Lead APQP and stage‑gate processes for new coatings development, including documentation, testing protocols, and milestone reviews.
• Interface directly with key customers and strategic partners, serving as the technical voice of the company in high‑impact engagements.
• Ensure regulatory and EH&S compliance, including SDS review, labeling, and VOC/REACH tracking as needed.
• If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Stephanie Kemp at

Salary: $100,000 – $160,000 plus bonus

Competitive salary and performance‑based bonus, vacation time, comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with company match 1 to 1 match up to 4 %, professional development and training opportunities.

Director

Full‑time

Science

Staffing and Recruiting