Application Development & Technical Service Manager (Adhesives) in Cheshire, Warrington

Bold. Energetic. Ingenious. Genuine. These qualities best describe employees who work for Ingevity. We believe it takes extraordinary people to create extraordinary results. At Ingevity, we harness the bold spirit, innate curiosity and remarkable ingenuity of our people to develop innovations that purify, protect and enhance the world around us. Our products enable oil to flow better, crops to grow fuller, roads last longer, and ensure that the air we all breathe is cleaner.

Already a leader in markets in which we compete, we leverage our deep technical expertise and knowledge of our customers’ industries to turn complex challenges into powerful possibilities and value-added solutions. We prize creativity and imagination and we’re always looking for a better, smarter way of doing things. We know it takes the right people with the right attitude to achieve the improbable. People who understand that there is no challenge too big and no contribution too small. People with the ability to solve and the commitment to stay the course. People who work together to create meaningful impact and exponential results, for our customers and the world around us.

Reporting to the Innovation Director, the Application Development & Technical Service (AD/TS) Manager’s main function is to drive growth in the Adhesives and Sealants business segment by leading the technical activities associated with that segment. The AD/TS Manager will do that in close collaboration with the Market Segment Manager and Sales team.

The AD/TS Manager will provide technical support by leading Innovation projects, directly managing customer tasks and projects, and providing general support to our efforts in the Adhesive and Sealants market. The AD/TS Manager is responsible for following the technical trends for their specified market segment and working closely with the Market Segment Manager, initiating and delivering the opportunities it can give to Ingevity. The job holder will be expected to supervise a chemist and/or technician and to lead cross functional project teams.

Job Responsibilities

• To lead short to long term programs and innovation projects related to the synthesis and development of new Capa materials and products.
• Develop the methods for processing and testing adhesives and sealants containing new Capa polyols.
• Lead the activities of the Adhesives and Sealants applications laboratory.
• To observe legislative, safety, and environmental requirements of the Warrington site.
• Ensure effective and productive use of resources and deliver results on time and in a quality assured way in support of innovation and technical services projects and support activities.
• To comply with Ingevity Group IT and confidentiality procedures & policies.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in the department across new products, processes, applications, analytical areas/techniques and market possibilities.
• The job holder is expected to acquire knowledge and keeps up to date with the developments in the field of polymer technology in particular related to polyurethane technology for job performance and personal improvement.
• Identifies, proposes and evaluates innovative ideas / materials / chemicals / processes for new product and process development.

WORK ASSIGNMENTS

Safety

• To work and behave in a safe manner, at all times.
• To support, and seek to improve, laboratory standards of safety and housekeeping in accordance with local, site and legal requirements (including REACH, COSHH) to ensure that a safe working environment is maintained.
• Ensure compliance with isocyanate safe handling protocols.
• Ensure that activities (e.g. maintenance, control and calibration of equipment) are performed according to the EHSQ system of Innovation department and Warrington site.
• Ensure that all necessary EHSQ documents are maintained and revised when needed.

Project and tasks management

• Understand customer and market needs and turn these into viable business opportunities.
• Manage the associated projects or tasks to realize these opportunities as agreed with the Director of Innovation.

Technical support

• Provide technical content at customer meetings.
• Make technical qualifications of our products.
• Follow and report on the technical development of specified segments of the polyurethane adhesive and sealants market.
• Translate and drive actions to manage opportunities and threats to Ingevity’s business.
• Make external technical marketing support materials including presentations, webinars, conference and journal papers and input to our overall marketing material.

Lab work

• Develop in-house lab capabilities, and lead experimental data generation for specific applications.
• Build a network of external lab or university partnerships.
• Expected to be highly knowledgeable of Ingevity products and plant processes.

People Management

• Manage, guide and coach lab personnel under the supervision of the job holder.
• Perform staff appraisals according to set processes.

Administration

• To protect confidentiality of information related to work within the company such that no unauthorized person can gain access.
• To comply with company IT and legal policies.
• To ensure that all work carried out is recorded in the appropriate format and filed in the appropriate manner in order to ensure traceability.

Authority

• To plan and execute work tasks as defined under responsibilities to ensure their execution and achievement.
• To procure laboratory chemicals up to pilot plant quantities and supplies from suppliers as required.
• Equipment purchasing recommendations to line manager.
• Ability to make informed decisions related to experimental work undertaken.
• To direct and manage subordinates under their supervision with guidance from the lab manager.
• To work directly with regional sales teams and customers.

Qualifications & Experience

• BSC, MSc or PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
• 7 - 10 years industrial laboratory experience with a track record of increasing responsibility with people management.
• Demonstrated expertise in formulating, testing and manufacture of polyurethane adhesives.
• Experience in the development of hotmelt and reactive hotmelt formulations would be an advantage.
• A strong working knowledge of analytical chemistry, polymer physical testing and thermal analysis methods.
• Practical knowledge of laboratory safety principles especially in conducting risk analyses and assessing hazardous chemicals (REACH, COSHH).
• Evidence of training and good project management skills.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Ingevity as an equal opportunity employer bases its hiring decisions on the business need and the best qualified candidates available and does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of any protected category. Candidates who are offered employment may be subject to background checks as permitted or required by company policy or applicable law.

Ingevity is committed to respecting your data privacy, to further understand how Ingevity uses your data please visit our website at https://www.ingevity.com/legal-privacy/.

Ingevity is committed to being an Equal opportunity employer and aims to not discriminate unlawfully on any grounds.

Recruiting Agencies: Ingevity does not accept unsolicited resumes and therefore, will not be responsible for any fees associated with unsolicited resumes.