R&D Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for research, planning, and implementing new programs and protocols into our company. You will also be required to oversee the entire development process of new products and programs within the organization. Your active participation will be required from the initial planning phase to implementation or production. Additionally, you are required to keep track of all the costs related to the creation of these new products and decide what ideas are worth pursuing. You should also stay informed on what is happening in the research and development field at large to make sure the company is up-to-date and current with the most advanced R&D developments.

Manage and direct R&D activities concerned with development, application, and maintenance of all product lines associated with Knowlton.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Research and Development Manager will select, coach and retain qualified staff that contribute to division and company goals. They ensure the highest quality performance through feedback, training and development of their personnel. The Research and Development is responsible for the alignment of the strategic direction of the group with that of the division and the results delivered by the group. They will champion and drive project execution, critical thinking and innovation speed on the groups deliverables.

• Maintain an effective safety and wellness culture including driving auditing, training and general awareness. Lead by example through active participation in department Health, Safety, Environment, and Security (HSES) programs.
• Coach and develop direct reports by (a) ensuring each direct report understands their alignment with the business and their impact on short and long term financial success; (b) utilizing the performance management process; (c) expect and reward exceptional performance; and (d) utilizing the disciplinary process when appropriate.
• Know their direct reports' strengths, development needs and career interests.
• Institutionalize critical thinking, partner engagement and project execution.
• Understand the technology, business and asset strategies, and create and implement a vision for the group to support it.
• Prioritize group's work accordingly.
• Lead the establishment of effective cross-functional, inter-group, and inter-divisional relationships
• Attract, engage, develop and retain the talent needed to provide people capable of implementing current and future programs.
• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the research & development department, including financial responsibilities.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable regulatory laws. Responsibilities include training of subordinate employees, planning, assigning and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

The Research and Development Manager will have to use creative abilities and research methods to improve existing products based on industry trends and develop new products to meet the needs of the company's target market. You are expected to report on any technical product issues that are discovered during evaluation and manage product testing and trials, assessing the materials used, the efficiency of the process, and the effectiveness of the final product.

• Lead key projects with R&D to support business goals.
• Develop research programs incorporating current developments to improve existing products and study the potential of new products.
• Understand customer expectations on to-be manufactured products.
• Determine and execute improved technologies used by suppliers, competitors, and customers.
• Establish project goals and priorities by collaborating with Sales/ Marketing and Operations.
• Transfer new technologies, products, and manufacturing processes into and out of the company.
• Research, design and evaluate materials, assemblies, processes, and equipment.
• Document all phases of research and development.
• Manage customer relationships and perform reviews, customer visits, and product testing.
• Establish and maintain testing procedures for assessing raw materials, in-process and finished products.
• Oversee complex research projects, analyze results, and provide recommendations based on findings.
• Assess the scope of research projects and ensure they are on time and within budget.
• Be present at industry conferences on research topics of interest.
• Overseeing safe, environmentally responsive, and efficient use and maintenance of the Pilot Machine.
• Maintain SDS files via the network.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SKILLS:

Aid in the implementation and continuous improvement of Quality Standards pertaining to the R&D Department.

• Working with the Quality Assurance Manager or designee, assist in the direction and implementation of Quality Standards.
• Direct subordinates in the maintenance of production performance to meet customer specs.
• Ensure quality production by continually monitoring finished goods in process.
• Ensure that subordinates are made aware of the quality assurance requirements to include customer specifications, statistical process control and product testing.

RAW MATERIAL EFFICIENCIES:

Conduct continuous investigation of raw materials to ensure that the Knowlton Companies maintains their position of leadership in the Specialty Products marketplace.

• Investigate and support Capital expenditures that improve perfect time and reduce raw material waste.

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:

Govern all R&D personnel in the compliance of all-regulatory agency recommendations and mandates, meeting or exceeding standards established to protect and preserve personnel, property and the environment.

• Address environmental issues by identifying short-term and long-range issues, providing input to pertinent concerns, recommending options and courses of actions and issuing directives.
• Review all pertinent environmental and health data.
• Be aware of and evaluate any hazardous materials, ensure the proper handling of all materials to guarantee employee safety and the elimination of environmental contamination.

PERSONNEL:

Ensure a content labor force by:

• Developing a well-trained and efficient work force operating under safe working conditions.
• Meet regularly with subordinates to determine that their personal and professional needs are being addressed. These meetings are to be conducted in such a manner that subordinate personnel remain confident of the company's support and concern.
• In conjunction with the Human Resource Department, ensure that all company policies are met, and disciplinary procedures are fair and dealt with in a timely basis.

QUALITY:

Supports, maintains and continually improves Knowlton Technologies, LLC Quality Management System in accordance with requirements of the IATF 16949 International Standard. Employee has the role and responsibility to follow the work instructions and Current Best Practices that support the KT Value Stream Maps.

HOUSEKEEPING:

Assist in the development and enforcement of a plant Housekeeping Policy that exemplifies or exceeds corporate standards.

Ensure that cleaning tools and materials are available to meet the required "area" housekeeping assignments.

Demonstrate housekeeping standards in the Research & Development Department.

COSTS:

Understand and educate subordinates in the Knowlton standard cost system as it relates to specific grade standards and their effect on the company's profitability.

• Ensure that all team members are aware of specific grade or project standards and their effect on the company's profitability.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

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/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Engineering or related Science field and/ or five to ten years related experience in the paper or allied industries. Experience in research and development and IATF 16949 total quality management is also desirable.
• Prior industrial textile fiber experience is preferred.
• Prior experience with process and/or product development is a plus
• Prior experience with managing personnel (delivering and receiving coaching/feedback; Human Resources processes) is preferred.
• Ability to understand and guide work for a cross functional team.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills; Ability to communicate the right level of detail to the right audience, at the right time.
• Self-starter, driven by the investigation, discovery, and implementation of new technologies and meeting customer needs.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, make assignments, and ensure execution in a high activity environment.
• Demonstrated competency with developing technology strategy is preferred.
• Willingness to travel to suppliers, customers and trade shows (domestic and international).

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; work, climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to airborne particles. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock and risk of radiation.

The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.