Americas

Director, Global Technology - Coatings and Material Development

Job Location: Americas

Job Category:

Job Schedule: Full Time

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Michelman is a global developer and manufacturer of environmentally friendly advanced materials for industry, offering solutions for the coatings, printing & packaging, and industrial manufacturing markets. The company’s surface modifiers, additives, and polymers are used by leading manufacturers around the world to enhance performance attributes and add value in applications including wood and floor care products, metal and industrial coatings, paints, varnishes, inks, fibers, and composites. Michelman is also well-known as an innovator in the development of barrier and functional coatings, as well as digital printing press primers that are used in the production of consumer and industrial packaging and paper products, labels, and commercially printed materials. Michelman serves its customers with production facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia, product development and technical service centers in several major global markets, and a worldwide team of highly trained business development personnel.

General Summary

Currently, we have a great opportunity for a Global Technology Director to join our Coatings and Material Development, team.  This is a strategic leadership position that will be located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

You will manage the group’s global technology team, supporting and leading them to provide technologies aligned with the platform’s strategic plan to develop and commercialize next-generation products.  In addition to developing new products, a core mission of this team is to enable supply assurance and cost-effectiveness of products by identifying alternative materials and improving process efficiency. 

You will oversee project management, and resource allocation, and collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Production to achieve our ambitious growth targets. You will be responsible for the design and execution of processes and procedures for effective innovation and direct the technical developments of new products in line with Michelman’s history of customer focus and service. 

Primary Responsibilities

Research & Development

• Manage the portfolio of global technology projects for product development by translating key business goals into defined projects over different time horizons

• Drive focused tech-push and market-backed technology development including plans for innovation, growth, and intellectual property

• Enable step-change disruptive innovation initiatives by leveraging the business strengths in the development and formulation of a diverse set of technology and application capabilities

• Lead the global technology team to achieve a portfolio of profitable winning products

• Enable Michelman Supply Chain to deliver on our customer promise by providing and qualifying new formulas and alternative materials on rush timing as market dynamics demand. 

People Development

• Foster and energize a global team of technical experts who can support our growth through R&D and technical service support

• Enable and ensure alignment around technology development strategies to help virtual teams on different continents work towards common goals

• Establish performance accountabilities and conduct work development discussions for your team members

External Relationships

• Develop and maintain relationships to share knowledge and demonstrate technical leadership, process understanding, and material performance to our customers and markets

• Provide technical assistance to customers and Michelman’s production, marketing, and sales associates

• Develop and maintain a strong industry network with customers, consultants, co-suppliers, and industry leaders

• Develop relationships with external universities, national labs, value chain partners, open innovation partners, and government research entities to drive R&D for the group

Innovation Processes and Project / Portfolio Management

• Manage the usage of established innovation processes including ideation, stage gate, technology roadmap, and portfolio management

• Identify and monitor appropriate KPIs for the technology funnel to ensure that resources are deployed to tackle the largest opportunities

• Promote disciplined use of project management tools and ensure rigor in managing different stages of technology development

Business Management

• Develop and maintain high-level/strategic discussions with suppliers, customers, prospects, and industry organizations

Financial Management

• Participate in implementing business and departmental plans to achieve the year-to-year and long-term goals of the organization, focused on profitable revenue growth globally

• Manage the technology budget for salaries and expenditures (including travel and entertainment)

Other

• Travel by car and plane to visit a global base of colleagues, customers, and facilities. Percent of travel time estimated at up to 25%

• Perform related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates

Critical Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expertise in water-based emulsions technology and applications, utilized in coatings and other relevant markets

• Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of polymers, surfactants, and emulsions toward solving technical problems.

• Innovation mindset with a history of demonstrating leadership and influence

• Global experience in building and leading global technology teams, as well as, collaborating with sales and marketing

• Management and people development experience of associates in-home and remote locations

• Excellent stage gate process management skills

• Proven understanding of business acumen

• Able to perform financial calculations, create and manage budgets

• Proven ability to think independently and drive projects through to completion

• High levels of self-motivation, initiative, and interpersonal skills 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related degree. Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in relevant subject preferred. MBA or specific formal business training, is a plus.

• 10+ years of progressive technical service experience in water-based technology, polymers, emulsion technology, dispersions, or water-based formulated products, including coating application knowledge. Exposure to sales or marketing is highly desirable.

• 5+ years of leadership experience, including remote team members, are required; International technology and business experience are preferred.

• 5+ years experience in product development and demonstrated commercial results in the specialty chemical industry; industrial product development preferred.

Work Hours

Michelman’s standard work hours for this role are Monday – Friday from 8 am – 5 pm EST.  This role is primarily onsite with occasional remote work available.

Note: The statements above describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

About Michelman

Michelman is proud of the values-focused work environment that we have crafted. We pride ourselves in our focus on our values of integrity, respect, and success. With our dedication to your technical and professional growth and our rigorous onboarding experience, we guarantee that you will find yourself challenged in new ways. We offer an excellent salary, incentive, and benefits package in a dynamic, empowered team environment.

No phone calls, please. Michelman does not hire individuals who use tobacco products. All candidates will receive a drug test prior to beginning employment which will include a test for tobacco products.

For more information about Michelman, please visit https://www.michelman.com/.

It is Michelman, Inc.'s policy to seek and employ qualified persons in all jobs in a manner that will ensure equal employment opportunity as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Michelman is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans

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