POSITION:

R&D & Technical Lab MANAGER

REPORTS TO:

Plant Manager

SUPERVISES:
  • Local R&D activities
  • Specs issuance and Product Validation

BASIC RESPONSIBILITY:

  • Manage the qualification of new products (Valves, actuators, inserts, new packaging materials, etc.) at customer level
  • Support the sales team by defining and agreeing valve, BOV and actuator specifications with customers
  • Control and management of filling process for all products
  • Run laboratory tests, analysis of results and conclusions: measurements of components from pilot mold, components/material in qualification process, compatibility test, valve/actuator performances, market products analysis

JOB DUTIES:

  • Provide sales support for customer visits and technical expertise on aerosol technologies.
  • Ensure detailed specifications and briefs are passed on to Laboratory for work, coding and subsequent customer approval.
  • Key contributor to new business winning supporting the bid proposal process by identifying specification and test needs for any future installations.
  • Member of Senior Management team providing inputs into North America strategy for business growth.
  • Ensure that all components and materials used in the manufacture of products comply with latest legislation and to seek out alternatives and arrange of trials/approvals to be carried out in a timely manner.
  • Conduct training sessions and presentations on aerosol technologies for existing and future customers and internal training requirements.
  • Ensure commercial justification on all projects in order to gain approval.
  • Maintain standard specification database, keeping to a minimum manageable range.
  • Represent Company on relevant CSPA committees as required
  • Provide a set of measures for presentation to the senior management team on a monthly basis covering new project status, continuous improvement activities and technical project updates
  • Analysis and qualification of new material (physic-chemical analysis, compatibility trials, initial /industrial stamping/molding/assembly trials, performances measurements, etc …) using measurement devices (3D measurement, profile projector, micrometers), lab mixtures, compression test device (Zwick/roell device) according to the specification and the current aerosol legislation
  • Run all types of laboratory tests: spray performance, particle size measurement (using Malvern device), discharge rate, capping/de-capping force (Zwick/roell device)
  • Responsible for validation and shipment of all samples.
  • Work with the R&D Centre and the manufacturing department to ensure industrialization and accompany projects through to commercialization in the most effective way as to maximize the value to the business.
  • Interact when necessary with the other departments to maintain a coherent approach to projects.
  • Keep up-to-date on the latest technologies from suppliers, customers and competitors to provide cost-saving and innovation opportunities.
  • Manage product and filling qualification through new protocol and processes according to the effective aerosol legislation and customer protocol demands.
  • Support the installation of a housekeeping agenda where it becomes part of the culture of the day to day activities.
  • Development of valuable business relationships with key customers
  • Guidance, monitoring and correction of any staff deviation related to Environment, Health and Safety
  • Understanding and accomplishment of all rules and procedures related to Safety and BRC

Network and Links:

  • Internal and External Interactions:

o GIC (Global Innovation Centre)

o All R&D Centre Departments and Technical Centres within the group

o All local operation departments

o Customers R&D Teams, and Project Managers

o Other production sites

o Key Account Managers

o Filling line manufacturers

o Suppliers

o Aerosol Organizations, etc …

  • Distinctive Aspects:

Work on several simultaneous projects per year

EDUCATION

  • Educated to degree level in chemistry/chemical engineering or in physical measurement although strong experience supported by relevant qualifications are seen as equivalent
  • Recognized management qualification (e.g. CMS, DMS, MBA) are desirable/advantageous

EXPERIENCE

  • Minimum of 5 years in a similar role in technical/aerosol industry specialism.
  • Technical awareness of moulding and assembly processes.
  • Product and process design...
  • Proven analytical and decision-making skills.
  • Legal and industry requirements
  • Project Management
  • Knowledge of Company products and processes

Key Attributes:

  • Natural tendency to be creative, innovative, eager to find and learn new ways to do things or skills related to the aerosol industry to help solve problems in the job.
  • High maturity level, execution driven, positive “CAN DO“ attitude, well developed team work skills and sense of urgency, high proactivity level.
  • Good organizational skills as well as written and oral communication skills.
  • Transparent and honest.
  • Active/pro-active on all levels, passive or indifferent attitudes are not desired.
  • Likely to be a person who is moving into a senior role and has the energy and enthusiasm to make this move a real success.
  • Experience of successful work in an international culture.

LANGUAGES:

English

Spanish or German or French (desired)

State
IN
Position Id
MEF-4319374356