At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead R&D team to develop innovative water dispensing products and ensure timely delivery.
- Company: Borg & Overström, a leader in sustainable filtered drinking water solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £60,000, with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Other info: Exciting environment with a focus on continuous improvement and collaboration.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact on product development and sustainability.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in R&D management, strong leadership, and communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 € per year.
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic R&D Manager to lead our research and development team. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the successful development of innovative, compliant, and manufacturable hot and cold water dispensing products. This role balances technical leadership with commercial and regulatory awareness, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet all specification, quality standards and scalability requirements supporting Borg & Overström’s reputation for design excellence and reliability.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership and People Management: Lead, coach, mentor, and develop the R&D team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Product Development and Delivery: Ensure robust planning, resource assignment, and prioritization across mechanical, electrical, software, and testing functions.
- Lifecycle Management: Oversee Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) to ensure timely implementation and alignment with business priorities.
- Collaboration: Work closely with Quality, Supply Chain, Production, Operations, Technical Support, Customer Value Streams, and Portfolio Management to ensure seamless product introduction and continuous improvement.
- Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Foster excitement and drive innovation aligned with the product roadmap strategy, ensuring a unified approach to product development.
- Quality and Compliance: Approve and track design verification and validation plans, ensuring they meet internal and regulatory expectations.
Key Skills and Attributes
- Proven leadership and people management skills, with at least five years of experience in a similar role.
- Strong communication abilities to ensure alignment across departments.
- Proficiency in CAD systems, project management systems, and enterprise systems.
- A proactive, collaborative, and solution-oriented mindset.
- Able to influence, challenge constructively, and drive accountability in others.
- Strong understanding of compliance, risk assessment and design controls.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced SME or mid-sized manufacturing environment.
Success in This Role Will Look Like
- Consistent delivery of new products and lifecycle upgrades in line with the product strategy — meeting programme timelines, technical specifications, cost targets, quality standards, and scalability requirements.
- Measurable improvement in product reliability and in-field performance, reflected in reduced quality incidents, warranty claims, and reactive engineering workload.
- Clear, trusted ownership of the NPD process across the business, resulting in strong alignment between R&D, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, Operations, Customer Value Stream, and Technical Support teams.
- A confident, capable, and high-performing R&D organisation, with engineers who are well coached, engaged, technically disciplined, and consistently executing to common standards.
- Robust engineering governance, including effective design reviews, validation activities, and change control processes that support predictable delivery and smooth production handover.
- Increased confidence across internal stakeholders and external customers in Borg & Overström’s product development capability, technical leadership, and long-term range stability.
We're Borg & Overstrom, manufacturers of beautiful, sustainable filtered drinking water coolers and tap systems. Since the launch of our first water dispenser we have remained committed to delivering quality, market leading products coupled with excellent customer service.
Pay: Up to £60,000.00 per year. If this role excites you, then get in touch to find out more...
Research And Development Manager employer: Borg & Overström
At Borg & Overström, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our R&D Manager role offers the opportunity to lead a talented team in a dynamic environment, with a strong focus on professional development and continuous improvement. Located in a vibrant area, we provide competitive salaries, a commitment to sustainability, and a supportive work culture that values each employee's contributions, making it a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research And Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products thoroughly. Understand their values and recent developments. We want you to walk in confidently, ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in R&D and product innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams and managed projects. We believe that demonstrating your ability to foster innovation and accountability will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Borg & Overström.
We think you need these skills to ace Research And Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the R&D Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant projects you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with our focus on innovation and product development.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about leading an R&D team and how you can contribute to our mission at Borg & Overström. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your proficiency in CAD systems and project management tools. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we know you’ve got the technical chops to back up your leadership skills.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borg & Overström
✨Know Your Products Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with Borg & Overström’s product range, especially their hot and cold water dispensing products. Understand the features, benefits, and any recent innovations. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their product development goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how you’ve successfully managed teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you’ve fostered innovation or improved team performance. This is crucial for a role that requires strong people management skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Knowledge
Brush up on your knowledge of CAD systems, project management tools, and compliance standards relevant to the industry. Be ready to explain how you’ve used these tools in previous roles to drive product development and ensure quality compliance.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle challenges in a fast-paced environment. Prepare scenarios from your past experiences where you’ve had to influence stakeholders or manage cross-departmental collaboration effectively.
