Technical Manager - Comfort

What we offer Explore a world of opportunities with us. Look ahead with us and help shape innovative solutions to make our world more sustainable and life healthier, more vibrant and more comfortable. At Evonik, you have the chance to explore, thrive, and grow alongside 33,000 colleagues. Among attractive career paths and high-quality development programs, we not only offer performance-based remuneration and occupational health benefits but also hybrid and flexible working environments with SmartWork. Bring your fresh perspective, develop your strengths, break out your mold, and find a career that fits your dreams with us. Click on the link below to learn what our employees have to say about Evonik: This position provides direct technical support of all polyurethane flexible foam applications in North America which includes coordinating all lab activities in product and application development of additives such as amine catalysts, metal catalysts, silicone surfactants, and other performance or processing aids to improve foam processing and quality that are specific to the regional requirements, as well as working with the respective account managers to provide direct technical service (formulation optimization, process troubleshooting, complaint investigation, foam testing & analysis) to foam manufacturers in North America. RESPONSIBILITIES: Organize experiments for lab technicians to compare performance of additives, arrange testing of foams & evaluate physical properties to support application development & technical service activities. Prepare technical reports & perform presentations for customers and management to summarize results of lab studies & highlight foam quality improvement and processing benefits of additives. Provide technical service to customers to address application inquiries, make product recommendations & offer support services through regular interaction by phone, email, virtual meetings and onsite plant visits/trials to support account objectives. Supervise and manage assigned technicians, laboratory space and equipment to maintain safety practices & operating procedures and ensure compliance to site policies and regulations. Participate in industry conferences & panel discussions to stay current with regional market trends and provide feedback & support to global technology & marketing team. Develop product portfolio & account strategies with the regional sales & marketing group. Support process research and plant engineers with application testing of production samples that are not in spec or qualification of new raw material sources. Provide feedback on performance and guidance if/how off-spec batches can be reworked. Support R&D chemists with the evaluation of experimental lab samples in application tests. Support New Product Introduction process with regulatory & quality set-up and plant/toller scale-up of new products. Identify shortcomings and suggest improvements to existing processes, systems and procedures, then delivers a plan for a small element of a change management program with guidance from a project/program manager. Define and deliver products and services that meet customer needs by selecting the best possible approaches available within established systems. Deliver small-scale or medium-scale projects while working within an established program management plan. REQUIREMENTS: Preferred PhD or Master's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering with at least 3 years of work experience in product or applications development of specialty chemicals, preferably in the polyurethane foam industry . Minimum Bachelor's degree with 7 years of work experience. Excellent interpersonal skills required, with the ability to interact with and advise customers. Proven project management and project execution skills, with the ability to drive customer adoption of new technologies and existing products. Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal). Ability to give technical presentations, write patents and scientific papers. Requires a hands-on approach to polyurethane foam applications development. The candidate must be comfortable working with hazardous chemicals in exhaust hoods using both small-scale and industrial-scale high pressure laboratory equipment. Ability to perform business related travel up to 30% of the time. Strong Team Player; must be able to work within multi-functional and multi-regional teams. Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required on analyzing data trends for use in reports to help guide decision making. Applies comprehensive knowledge and skills to independently manage and apply safe systems of work while providing guidance and training to others. Conducts research and analyzes data without supervision while providing technical guidance as needed in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of customer and market conditions that enables maximum return on investments. Your Application To ensure that your application is proceeded as quickly as possible and to protect the environment, please apply online via our careers portal. Further information about Evonik as Employer can be found at Please address your application to the Talent Acquisition Manager, stating your earliest possible starting date and your salary expectations. Your Talent Acquisition Manager: Wenda Cenexant [C] Company is Evonik Corporation

Created: 2024-11-09