IC Development Manager

Role Summary

PURPOSE OF ROLE

To lead, coordinate, and manage the Industrial Coatings Development team in delivering innovative products to the IC markets. This role serves as a technical representative of the Industrial Coatings department in both internal and external forums, contributing to product development discussions and strategic initiatives to meet customer, company and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Industrial Coatings Development team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the development of coatings products tailored to the ACE, or new, markets, ensuring alignment with customer and company requirements and market trends.
• Represent the Industrial Coatings department in internal meetings and external engagements, including customer visits, technical forums, and industry events.
• Manage multiple projects to ensure resource and budget are to expectations with a focus on safety, quality and sustainability within agreed timelines.
• Manage the development team laboratory ensuring it is suitably resourced and equipped to maintain an efficient and safe working environment.
• Manage the development team budget and CAPEX investments.
• Support the professional development of Chemists within the IC development team through mentoring, coaching, and technical guidance.
• Ensure all products meet performance specifications, comply with relevant regulatory and legislative standards, and contribute to the Company’s sustainability targets.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Commercial, Procurement, Operations, Quality and Health and Safety to ensure successful product development and commercialisation.
• Monitor industry developments, emerging technologies, and competitor activity to inform strategic direction and innovation.
• Promote and uphold HSE standards, identifying and addressing unsafe conditions and ensure compliance to the Company Health and Safety policy.
• To role model and promote the Company’s code of conduct, values and culture.

Requirements

SKILLS

• Strong stakeholder management inclusive of local, global, internal and external parties.
• Strong project management skills progressing new products through a stage gated process through collaboration and cross-functional leadership.
• Strong team performance management through data analysis, such as KPIs.
• Effective resource management including planning, recruitment and business mitigation.
• Effective communications skills across various formats with personnel positioned globally. Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Effective technical writing and reporting to stakeholders of various levels of technical knowledge.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Digital literacy in systems such as Microsoft, LIMS, CRM and ERP, for example.

KNOWLEDGE

• Strong knowledge of coatings chemistry with experience in industrial coatings development, preferred.
• Familiarity with product costing, product management through a Commercial lens and customer-focused mindset.
• Deep understanding of global regulatory and environmental compliance standards such as REACH
• Awareness of sustainability initiatives
• BEHAVIOURS
• Strong decision-making skills using objectivity and data-based evidence.
• Demonstrates adaptability in uncertain, changing or difficult situations.
• Demonstrates the ability to resolve conflict and mediate objectively.
• Pragmatic approach to solutions.
• Able to coach and develop the team through constructive feedback to lead and motivate.
• Demonstrate consistency in values and expected behaviours in line with Company values.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a science-based subject.
• Extensive experience in research and development of new products, within the coatings industry.
• Familiar with working with global regulatory and environmental compliance standards such as REACH
• Demonstrated performance management of a team managing multiple projects with successful outcomes with experience in developing and mentoring technical staff.
• Extensive experience in technical analytical problem-solving driving improvements.
• Budget management and cost control.
• Management of HSE requirements within a laboratory and manufacturing environment.
• Experience working in a matrixed or global organization is an advantage.

Benefits

N/A

About the Company

Beckers is the number one supplier of coil coatings and a leading supplier of industrial paints worldwide. The company is a true pioneer in providing unique, high-performance coating solutions that improve customer competitiveness while protecting people and planet.