Avon, Ohio, 44011
Job description
R&D Manager
Avon, OH
$135,000 – $155,000
The R&D Manager plays a pivotal role in leading the research and development division, directing the processes of product formulation, laboratory operations, and technical project delivery. This position is tasked with overseeing the creation of innovative products while enhancing existing formulas to foster business advancement and meet customer expectations. The R&D Manager engages in close collaboration with various teams to ensure effective product development, efficient manufacturing scale-up, and successful market introduction. Additionally, this role emphasizes technical guidance, mentorship of R&D personnel, and nurturing a culture of innovation, quality, and safety.
R&D Manager Responsibilities
- Drive R&D initiatives for both novel and current products, focusing on formulation design, testing, and analysis.
- Oversee product development projects from inception through to market, ensuring timelines and alignment with strategic business goals.
- Supervise laboratory functions, conducting experimental trials, analyzing data, and managing technical documentation.
- Identify and act upon opportunities to enhance product performance, quality, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness.
- Facilitate the transition of new products from lab development to full-scale production, including pilot runs and process refinement.
- Work closely with Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Sales, Marketing, and Technical teams to enable product launches and meet customer demands.
- Address formulation, production, and manufacturing issues while providing technical support to internal teams.
- Create and maintain technical specifications, testing protocols, reports, and project documentation.
- Lead, mentor, and nurture the growth of scientists, chemists, technicians, and other technical staff.
- Ensure adherence to laboratory safety protocols, quality assurance systems, regulatory standards, and company policies.
- Assess new raw materials, technologies, and trends to facilitate innovation and ongoing improvement.
- Communicate technical insights, project progress, and proposals to leadership and cross-functional teams.
R&D Manager Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a similar scientific field (Master’s or Ph.D. is advantageous).
- 7 – 10+ years of experience in R&D related to coatings, polymers, specialty chemicals, materials, or formulation-based manufacturing.
- Prior experience in leadership or project management roles within the R&D sector.
- Expertise in product development, formulation enhancement, manufacturing scaling, and market introduction.
- Deep knowledge of formulation chemistry, materials science, and the product development cycle.
- Demonstrated capability in managing multiple technical projects within set deadlines and business objectives.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, facilitating collaboration across technical and business teams.
- Experienced in maintaining technical documentation, laboratory records, and testing standards.
- Proven track record of building, mentoring, and developing high-caliber technical teams.
- Familiarity with quality assurance systems, safety procedures, and relevant regulatory standards.
- Excellent organizational capabilities, capable of handling multiple priorities in a dynamic setting.
STEMHUNTER is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We comply with all applicable equal employment opportunity and affirmative action regulations.
