Job Description:

SUMMARY

The R&D manager is the primary technical resources within the organization, and their first priority is to deliver new products using the customer back innovation process. Additionally, the R&D manager will execute sustaining product developments to support cost savings and supply chain changes. Additional responsibilities include technical sales support, raw material evaluation, quality support, manufacturing support, and evaluation of processing equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Customer Back Innovation - the R&D manager leads the CBI process for the business. They will work closely with the business unit manager, product management, operations, quality, and sales to deliver the key deliverables of each CBI phase: discover, create, develop and deploy.

• Ensures a balanced pipeline to meet CBI yield goals given team capacity and business prioritization
• Solves technical hurdles to bring new products and technology to market
• Works cross functionally to identify and mitigate project risks

Supply Chains - Maintain a thorough knowledge of available textiles, non-wovens, and other materials available on the market, and a network of suppliers and external manufacturers to maintain existing products and bring new ones to market.

Global Sales Support - Assist in supporting global sales team. Create literature and sales tools required to train and support sales efforts. Support contract negotiations for key accounts to meet sales and margin goals.

Customer Relationships - Assess custom requests, answer technical and application issues with end users as well as distributors to reinforce mindshare and maximize customer satisfaction.

Product Training - Train internal personnel, customers and distributors on product selection and applications.

Project management - build deliverable based project plans to meet launch schedules.

MARGINAL DUTIES

Production Support - Work closely with manufacturing and quality assurance to assure constant quality improvement and maximum cost efficiencies. This may include internal and external manufacturing processes, packaging design, and external lab resources.

Marketing Support - Attend tradeshows to interact with customers and promote product lines.

Perform all other duties assigned. Support marketing communications with technical insights.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Sr. Technical advisor

Product manager

Product development specialist

EDUCATION and/or EQUIVALENT EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree or higher in a technical discipline.

Minimum 5 years experience in R&D role utilizing a stage gate process to manage innovation projects.

Minimum 2 years experience managing a team

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Computer software literate with experience in spreadsheets and presentations.

Textile Knowledge - deep knowledge of textiles related to primary materials used in production with direct textile manufacturing experience as a plus.

Must be able to work effectively under pressure, managing multiple tasks within strict time frames.

Attention to detail.

Ability to work independently.

Must be able to travel as needed.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Ability to find and analyze technical and market data, use judgment and business acumen, and create clear product line and business strategies.

Ability to analyze complex problems, identify root causes and suggest corrective actions in a timely manner.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Must possess strong communication skills in oral and written form.

Communicate and collaborate within a team-based marketing and sales environment to deliver results to internal and external stakeholders on strict timelines.

Effective presentation skills.

Write copy for technical and promotional literature in collaborative manner.

Ability to develop key partnerships with manufacturing operations, quality assurance, sales and customer service.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to conduct complex calculations in support of pricing scenarios.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to analyze and interpret laboratory test data.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Regularly sit and work at a computer for extended periods of time.

Ability to see clearly at 20" or less.

Travel as required to suppliers, customers, and tradeshows. Extended terminal and keyboard use.

Ability to lift up to 40 lbs

RESPONSIBILITY FOR EQUIPMENT/PROCESS/PRODUCT/ETC.

Responsible for all adherence to Company, department, Quality, Safety, Environmental, OSHA and ISO policies and procedures.

Laptop computers, large databases of proprietary company information and data.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Fast-paced and deadline-driven requiring multi-tasking with multiple stakeholders.

SAFETY

Must observe all safety regulations, policies and procedures and company rules when in specific manufacturing areas, may include the use of hearing protection and safety shoes.

Knowledge of storage and handling requirements of hazardous chemicals.

HAZARDS

Hazards are remote if all safety procedures are followed.