Technical Manager in Burnley

Reporting to the Global Technical Director, the Coating Technical Manager will provide operational and people management for a team consisting of Technical Subject Matter Experts, including Coating Engineers, Coating QC Inspectors, a Document Controller, and a Laboratory Testing Coordinator. The role holder will ensure departmental goals align with company-wide objectives, oversee day-to-day operations, develop talent, and drive continuous improvement across the function.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide strategic leadership by developing and implementing departmental plans to meet organisational objectives, translating corporate strategy into actionable departmental goals and KPIs.
• Provide effective people management through leadership, mentoring, and fostering a positive culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Work with the Global Technical Director to define the technical competency standards to which the company shall operate and ensure these are regularly reviewed through continuous improvement programmes.
• Technical competency implies activities are conducted in a manner that is fit for purpose, safe, and sustainable.

Major Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Global Technical Director and project teams, identify the appropriate Coating Engineer to lead technical documentation and testing activities for each project.
• Oversee day-to-day departmental operations, ensuring efficiency and quality of output.
• Review, develop, and improve departmental processes and workflows.
• Maintain a critical understanding of the regulatory environment and current and emerging trends relating to coating materials, technologies, and applications that are of strategic importance.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, health & safety regulations, and relevant industry standards.
• Monitor departmental expenditure, approve spending, and manage budgets in line with agreed constraints.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations of departmental staff.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and development activities in partnership with HR.
• Represent the department in cross-functional meetings and collaborate with other senior leaders.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with clients, suppliers, and external partners.
• Ensure effective communication and information flow within the department and across the wider business.
• Report departmental performance to senior management and recommend improvements where required.
• Effectively lead, coach, and mentor technical staff through regular engagement, including discussions on health & safety, production issues, material issues, and customer-specific requirements.
• Promote continuous, controlled process improvement through the implementation of preventive actions.

Health, Safety & Environment

You have a duty to take care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions at work. You will carry out assigned tasks and duties in a safe manner, in accordance with instructions, and comply with all Health, Safety & Environmental rules, policy, procedures, regulations and codes of practice. Ensure that you follow any instructions or health, safety & environmental training provided by the company and report any hazards, injuries or ill health that present a serious and imminent risk and inform your line manager about any shortcomings you identify within your health and safety arrangements.

Job Specific Education Required

Science based bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Work Experience Required

Experience managing a technical, operational, or specialist department. Minimum of 10 years’ experience in departmental or functional management.

Skills & Knowledge Required

• Strong leadership and strategic planning capability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; confident presenter.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and allocate resources effectively.
• Proven ability to lead teams, resolve conflict, and drive performance.
• High levels of organisation, attention to detail, and problem-solving capability.
• Strong influencing and people management skills, with credibility at senior level.
• Ability to work effectively across disciplines and build internal and external relationships.
• Ability to translate market and client needs into material and process performance requirements.
• Experience operating within structured business management systems and translating high-level organisational strategy into realistic, actionable plans.