R&D Manager - Silicone Biomaterials

Company: Avantor
Location: Carpinteria
Posted on: May 31, 2021

Job Description:

Job Summary

The Biomaterials R&D Manager leads a team of scientists/chemists & technicians in the creation of customer-focused silicone-based biomaterial solutions. The Biomaterials R&D Manager is the key point of contact regarding requests for new product developments; organizing, prioritizing and effectively deploying coworkers engaged in new product development activities within the Biomaterials NPD group. The Biomaterials R&D Manager is expected to draw upon a deep understanding of polymeric materials chemistry, properties & formulation to provide the team with sound technical guidance while integrating effective and efficient project execution practices into daily new product development activities, accommodating both the tactical demands of the business and higher-level strategic initiatives of management.

The Biomaterials R&D Manager is responsible for managing and coordinating new silicone-based chemistry, materials, and technology developments to create new products for existing and potential Biomaterials customers. He/she, in concert with their team, will proficiently plan, manage and guide the execution of experimental studies to generate data and drive the development of new products from concept through commercialization. He/she will direct technical personnel and ensure new product development resources are allocated effectively to deliver on critical project objectives. This position is expected work collaboratively to identify technical/scientific opportunities and initiate/guide the necessary activities to translate insights into specific market-oriented innovation projects. He/she partners closely with department peers (e.g., Applications & NPD Managers) and engages cross-functionally (e.g., Commercial Account & Engineering Managers) to drive projects, as well as supporting technical interactions with customers to close sales for new products and gain acceptance of new technologies.

MAJOR JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (List in order of importance)

• Lead team in the research and development of silicone-based Biomaterials products
• Initiate and manage product development projects in collaboration with marketing, applications and customers leading to evaluation and use of Avantor / NuSil products.
• Develop innovative solutions to product development challenges
• Provide direction and guidance to scientists and other technical personnel, including managing and directing of day to day activities and performance.
• Make clear and effective requests of team members to take ownership of projects- create, update and utilize tools to drive collaboration, inspire team members, rapid execution and workflow improvements.
• Accept / evaluate project requests from internal and external customers
• Assess priority of multiple competing requests
• Monitor and report on project execution
• Provide input into performance planning and assessment. Report on progress, success, and failure of projects. Allocate resources to achieve project deadlines. Provide guidance along with functional leaders to solve technical problems.
• Implement systems that maximize effective coordination and execution of projects.
• Understand and capture key deliverables and timing
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with coworkers and customers to ensure timely and effective coordination of activities.
• Oversee the correct formulation development and optimization of Biomaterials products
• Critically analyze patents and literature and support implementation of new product and technologies, and generate new product idea, workflow improvement
• Prepare pre-commercial Batch Records and working with the Manufacturing team to oversee pre-commercial manufacturing
• Coordinate with the Purchasing department personnel for raw materials sourcing, and be able to identify issues
• Coordinate with Analytical and QC personnel for setting up test methods and specifications.
• Develop and optimize robust manufacturing processes for new products.
• Collect voice-of-customers and translate into product requirements, participate in industry organizations and work with product development teams to identify market driven product requirements, generate insight, develop novel product opportunities and provide feedback on product performance
• Prepare and deliver presentations and technical literature to various stakeholders including customers.
• Maintain close relationship with customers and to keep abreast of emerging market trend and opportunities.
• Performs other duties as assigned with or without accommodation

QUALIFICATIONS (Education/Training, Experience and Certifications)

• PhD or Master's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, polymer engineering or other relevant area. Minimum 5 years of experience in research-oriented activities in materials chemistry & development with demonstrated ability to conduct and mange projects to achieve desired results.
• At least 2 years of technical project planning, management and execution experience demonstrating team leadership.
• Industrial experience in chemistry and materials development/characterization is preferred with demonstrated ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions.
• Experience and understanding of silicone materials synthesis, characterization, and production is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Those necessary to perform the job competently)

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Good interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Basic understanding of silicone product technology.
• Ability to frame up, prioritize and deploy resources to execute projects according to value, cost and risk with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to work and communicate effectively with all levels of employees to plan, organize and complete multiple projects from inception to startup.
• Excellent project management skills with understanding of financial impacts of plans, decisions and actions
• Ability to conceptualize technical solutions to scientific problems
• High level of influencing and persuading skills and high level of collaborative behavior
• Ability to communicate clearly the intended message in formal and informal settings to both a technical and business audience
• Ability to build relationships with other team members and gain commitment toward stated goals- facilitate collaboration.
• Flexibility to respond to changing priorities and shifting deadlines in a fast paced working environment
• Ability to find innovative and creative solutions to customer needs

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT (Under Typical Positions)

• Typically works in a laboratory environment with adequate lighting and ventilation and a normal range of temperature and noise level.
• Work assignments are diversified. Examples of past precedent are used to resolve work problems. New alternatives may be developed to resolve problems.
• A frequent volume of work and deadlines impose strain on routine basis.
• The work environment is an office, chemical laboratory and pilot-plant settings.
• The duties of the job will require traveling up to 20% of the time, domestically and internationally

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job.

DISCLAIMER:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at TalentManagement@avantorsciences.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Equal Employment Opportunity is THE LAW Poster, EEO is the Law Poster Supplement, and Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination Provision using the links below.

EEO is the Law

OFCCP EEO Supplement

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION

3rd party non-solicitation policy

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation

Keywords: Avantor, Santa Barbara , R&D Manager - Silicone Biomaterials, Other , Carpinteria, California