R&D Product Development Leader – Rubber

JOB SUMMARY

The Integrated Performance Solutions segment for the Consumer Products Division focuses on the sealing and dispensing needs of various sectors, including household, personal care, and beauty products. The Development Leader is a player/coach that leads a small Dispensing development team that is responsible for the development and commercialization of new products for the IPS business.

The Development Leader will also serve as the rubber technical expert/liaison between Gaggiano/Schaumberg to share rubber best practices and manage the portfolio of projects to successful completion. The Development Leader is responsible for all aspects of the stage gate/project management process from inception, through planning, design, prototyping, and commercial launch for both IPS and our customer.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as a player/coach for the global rubber technical team (i.e. Gaggiano and Schaumburg rubber technical experts)
• Manage the global portfolio of New Product Development initiatives in the Dispensing space.
• Lead the development and execution of new product development projects from idea generation to successful commercialization, in collaboration with R&D, Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, and other functions, and providing oral and written project updates to stakeholders
• Provide rubber formulation subject matter expertise
• Establish rubber best practices for IPS Europe and IPS Americas.
• Leverage material science and conversion technologies knowledge to successfully conduct product and manufacturing trials utilizing research labs, pilot assets and production lines.
• Leverage advances in new material and manufacturing technologies to deliver new solutions to defend our competitive advantage and satisfy unmet market needs
• Lead/Participate in stage gate meetings, technical calls/visits to customers, vendors, and external partners to gather insights and expedite successful project completion.
• Serve as the technical point of contact with Key Accounts and establish/maintain effective collaborative relationships.
• Lead/Participate in technology scouting and idea generation processes

KPIs/METRICS

• Project execution
• Successful new product delivery (on-time/budget/cost)
• Ideation generation

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors or masters in a material science-related field with Chemistry or Chemical Engineering advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of materials industry experience (rubber formulations, and conversion technologies) in applied R&D.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in Project and Portfolio Management for New Product Development.
• Demonstrated people leadership capability.
• Experience in Stage Gate, Six Sigma, and Design of Experiments
• Experience building a culture of innovation and collaboration within customers and internal teams
• Experience and demonstrated success in developing and commercializing new innovation concepts from ideation to commercialization
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing environment
• Organizational-savvy and be comfortable with navigating organizations at all levels.
• Well-organized and self-directed and have a strong process and project orientation.
• Bi-lingual in Italian and English language strongly preferred.
• Ability to travel (~25%).

WORKING CONDITIONS

The nature of this role may require work hour flexibility including working outside the regular workday hours and weekends.  Regular day and overnight travel by car and/or air may be required. Typically works in an office with adequate lighting and ventilation and a normal range of temperature and noise level.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The essential duties, physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. If possible, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions where it may not cause undue hardship or safety risks to the company and / or the employee.