R&D Manager

Description

Mativ is a global leader in specialty materials headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia. The Company offers a wide range of critical components and engineered solutions to solve our customers' most complex challenges. With over 7,500 employees worldwide, we manufacture on four continents and generate sales in more than 100 countries. We offer a wide range of premium applications across diversified and growing end markets, from filtration to healthcare to sustainable packaging. Our broad portfolio of technologies combines polymers, fibers, and resins to optimize the performance of our customers' products across multiple stages of the value chain. Our leading positions are a testament to our best-in-class global manufacturing, supply chain, and materials science capabilities. We drive innovation and enhance performance, finding potential in the impossible.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This role leads and manages all R&D activities, including product development, laboratory, formulation development and modification, experimental production trials, specification development, supplier relationships, production problem solving and customer support activities.

responsibilities:

R&D Management - Product Development and Laboratory

• The R&D Manager is responsible for leading a R&D team to ensure full-cycle development of products according to the business unit product roadmap. Assures competitiveness and product innovation through active management of the R&D pipeline hitting all targets for delivery to market.
• Ensure safety in all aspects of the role to achieve Mativ goals.
• Ensure the achievement of R&D targets aligned the Business Unit goals, specifically generating sales from new product launches, including line extensions, developing new products for specific markets short to medium and long term, preferably using Mativ production capabilities or external capabilities / partnerships.
• Manage and deliver projects within the R&D portfolio to deliver new sales increased profit, improve sustainability, new and improved processes, capabilities, or capacity in line with theBusiness Unit Plan.
• Leadership of projects as assigned including critical, complex projects and programs and opportunity assessment. Satisfy project timescales and milestones, to deliver projects that meet time, cost and quality targets and which meets customer needs.
• Oversee functional activities on formal projects and opportunity assessment, specifically planning, design and running of trials which result in a thorough understanding of key process variables. To validate all new products in operations in accordance with the quality manual. All activities to be carried out with full considerations of safety implications.
• Document stages of development such that any product and/or process upon introduction into the manufacturing area complies with the required internal regulatory and quality standards e.g. ISO 9001.
• Periodic completion of project review and financial statements.
• Identify and minimise risk to effectively deliver critical and/or complex product applications.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of the business unit plan and to ensure alignment of the portfolio to business plan aspirations.
• Develop and manage R&D budget.
• Foster innovation to identify new product opportunities.
• Provide technical leadership to the Business Unit and the site to deliver KPIs, growth and sustainability.
• Build relationships with customers and suppliers, a key element of the business, to understand their products and processes so that customer and market needs and expectations can be understood and met by product developments.
• Provide technical support and coaching to the Technical and Sales teams including project management best practice, support and technical problem solving.
• Develop and motivate teams/individuals with the emphasis on a cross functional approach to continuous improvement, sales growth, expansion of product portfolio, technical support to operations and customer satisfaction.
• Be responsible for site's R&D Procedures and associated QC documentation including review and integration with Mativ's other Quality procedures and systems.
• Be accountable for the Development laboratory and technical areas of the office with regards HSE.
• Chair or represent the Company and/or department at Project team and other meetings with customers, suppliers and Mativ demonstrating at all times a professional approach.
• In line with the Health & Safety policy set a personal example of good practice and be vigilant to Health and Safety on site through risk and workplace assessments to maintain an appropriate and safe R&D environment.
• Be actively involved in addressing own personal performance needs and gaining knowledge of new techniques, materials and products relevant to the business thus improving the technical and laboratory capability and efficiency.
• Manage all aspects of formulation development, product testing programs and specification development. Lead and drive the new product development process and laboratory activities.
• Coordinate meetings and assign responsibility for project ownership.
• Formulate and prepare lab prototypes to meet specified customer requirements.
• Implement and analyze a full product lab-testing program to assure adequate product performance.
• Initiate and supervise the first full-scale machine trial. Compound all coatings needed.
• Implement full lab testing of trial materials and determine the suitability for field-testing.
• Optimize all formulations and determine if additional machine trials are needed.
• Prepare technical data sheets, manufacturing, quality control, and customer specifications where required.
• Manage the XP inventory and procurement of all coatings and chemicals.
• Maintain close working relationship with vendors of raw materials needed for product development.
• Work with personnel to develop, coach and train them in their ability to formulate and develop new products and to grow them in the organization.

Manufacturing Support

• Ensure technical support is provided to production including technical problem solving.
• Support the lab-testing program for products run under optimized or changed running conditions.
• Determine corrective actions required for products which are out of specification for XP's. Be available for consultation with production. Supervise and implement non-standard product manufacturing changes.
• Assist in the determination of effects of mechanical changes on the machine upon all coating and coated products.
• In coordination with Quality Control and HSE, make judgements on the suitability of products made on the coater which do not meet all specifications.
• Participate in the comprehensive safety and health program for the Coating Operations.
• Provide technical support for the emission and waste disposal programs with Coating Operations.
• Provide reformulations for all coatings containing discontinued raw materials, hazardous raw materials, or non-performing raw materials.
• Supervise necessary pre-qualification tests for selected raw materials.
• Serve on Coating Department Methods and Procedure team.

Customer Support

• Coordinate all customer contact and support from R&D required to provide customer support activities, including problem-solving.
• Effectively handle internal and external customer requests for technical support.
• Maintain frequent contact with customer technical management to drive new product development projects or product reformulations.
• Conduct technical presentations at customer facilities and technical trade association meetings.
• Assure adequate resources are available to support both internal and external customers.
• Assist in the development of all technical documentation and materials with customers, including product specifications, customer specifications, product samples and production samples.

qualifications:

Required:

• A Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Polymer science or a related scientific or technical field of study. Master's degree highly preferred
• 5+ years of experience required in coating and product development. Plastics industry experience preferred.
• Extensive demonstrated experience in a technical / product development environment involving a track record of project management and delivery in relevant manufacturing industries
• Certification in one or more manufacturing improvement methodologies preferred.
• Knowledge of quality and HSE principles and capable of relating principles to Mativ programs.
• Strong organizational skills with goal-oriented and decision-making abilities
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate internally and with our customers and suppliers and independently manage multiple tasks in a cross-functional corporate setting and the ability to effectively communicate in written and oral presentation or report formats.
• Experience of leading and coaching others. Management experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills - demonstrated in a global capacity.
• Strong strategic and tactical business acumen, with budgeting skills.
• Understand principles of customers intimacy and experience.

EEO STATEMENT

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against applicants due to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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