R&D Manager

The R&D Manager will manage operational focused priorities, assignments and projects in support of the EIMEA region. This individual will be critical in ensuring effective R&D support for projects, technical support to sales and marketing, development of product renovation, and overseeing R&D led research projects as required to maintain and improve the quality and consistency of our products. This role will be key in providing R&D leadership for key strategic and technical projects, balancing scientific rigor with the commercial needs of the business, to maintain the integrity of R&D whilst positively contributing to our commercial success.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leadership
  • Leads a team of scientists to ensure effective R&D support for commercial projects, development of product renovation, technical support to sales and marketing, and conduct R&D led development and research projects as required.
  • Demonstrate servant leadership in the attainment of corporate, department and personal goals through developing and leading a highly effective team.
  • Live the Company’s stated Values and Code of Conduct that others can emulate.
  • Provide ongoing coaching/training, experiential learning, and talent development plans to optimize performance outcomes, growth, and engagement.
  • Identify and provide necessary resources and information to overcome barriers to success and accomplish goals.
  • Identifies developmental needs of staff assigned, creates plans and programs to allow them the opportunity for experiences that will help them advance.
• Operational Support
  • Provides R&D leadership for major EIMEA projects, typically lasting over 12 months.
  • This would typically include the onboarding of new fillers and blenders, the qualification of new strategic suppliers and supplier manufacturing locations, and the investigation of major technical matters.
  • In the course of supporting major strategic projects, may be required to develop and validate new and bespoke test methodologies and overcome complex technical challenges.
  • Provides additional ad hoc support for allocated Operational and product renovation MOC’s.
  • This would typically include the qualification of new and alternative raw materials and components and the development and testing of new formulas and packaging.
  • In the case of qualifying new and alternative raw materials and components, the senior project scientist may be required to prove product performance, stability and claim support whilst ensuring both regulatory and WD-40 mandatory compliance.
  • Translates business objectives to effective plans and projects following appropriate scientific methods and employing identified resources, both internal and external.
  • Is responsible for communications related to assigned objectives.
  • Fulfills the support requirements as indicated by business needs and anticipates future requirements before they manifest.
  • Manages the Operational focused priorities, assignments and projects in support of EIMEA commercial business; plans, obtains and allocates resources required.
  • Attendance of manufacturer trial production runs may also be required.
  • Leads R&D product renovation or replication projects to support the commercial needs.
  • Proactively foster relationships with chemical and component suppliers and identify opportunities for improvements and sources of competitive advantage for the Company.
  • Undertakes and reviews the technical assessment of new product concepts, providing insight into technologies, packaging, chemistry, suppliers, manufacturers and patents.
  • Creates and maintains sustainable IP either in-house or by effectively supporting and leveraging 3rd party partners.
  • Reviews, develops and qualifies formulas, sources and tests packaging, proves product efficacy and claim support and ensures regulatory and R&D mandatory compliance.
  • Completes all necessary actions to ensure IP is established and protectable, including proper laboratory notebook maintenance, maintenance of confidentiality, control of information dispersal and access, involvement with R&D leadership, and, as directed, internal and external legal sources.
• Project Management
  • Responsible for the management of R&D led research projects and assigned business projects.
  • Defines business case and agrees project scope, deliverables, measures of success, risks and benefits.
  • Seeks and secures any necessary project approval.
  • Identifies key tasks and dependencies and develops and maintains project plans and timelines.
  • Controls and manages changes in project scope or requirements, negotiating as necessary with business stakeholders.
  • Manages and mitigates risks to prevent them becoming problems, judging when to escalate.
  • Leads and motivates the project team, resolving any conflicts or people issues.
  • Ensures control and engagement through project meetings as appropriate.
  • Organises and drives the agendas for project meetings and “check-ins” as required.
  • Communicates and consults with business stakeholders.
  • Ensures learnings are captured and used to enable continual improvement in WDFC projects.
• Research
  • Undertakes scientific research, often with ambiguous scope, to advance new underlying principles, methodologies and technical solutions in order to accomplish operational and commercial objectives.
  • This may be for the benefit of EIMEA or as part of Global collaboration.
  • Presents verbal and written reports and presentations to various parties as required, in a concise, yet complete structure so that findings can be recorded, and decisions can be made, based on the results of the research obtained.
  • Attends professional association meetings and conferences in order to advance the state of the company’s technical expertise.
  • Proactively seeks out and fosters relationships with suppliers, manufacturers and technical partners to identify opportunities for breakthrough technologies and sources of competitive advantage for the Company.
  • Accountable for identifying and applying necessary resources, training or information for overcoming barriers to success and accomplishing objectives.

What You’ll Bring To The Role

• Directly related CPG/NPD/renovation R&D experience
• Extensive experience in consumer product development championing formulation science, technology.
• Experience within Aerosols and/or lubricants would be desirable but not a pre-requisite.
• Experience solving highly complex technical and scientific problems to include chemical formulation and application of the scientific method. (consumer Products Science preferred)
• Experience leading technical scientific roles/ a team to accomplish business objectives through successful application of scientific and leadership principles.

Total Rewards

Our competitive and comprehensive benefits package provides you protection, security, and peace of mind. We offer life-enhancing health, wellness, and financial programs, including profit incentive rewards, healthcare, generous pension contributions. In addition, we want you to recharge and take time off, so enjoy short-day Fridays, paid holidays, and an additional paid week off between Christmas and New year to spend with family and friends!

About Us

At WD-40 Company, we believe that purpose-driven and values guided people create amazing outcomes. Our "why" is refreshingly simple - we exist to create positive lasting memories in everything we do.

Why You Should Apply

A strong values-aligned organization where contributions are acknowledged and rewarded, and where 91% experiences a sense of belonging. A learning-based culture where 85% of our people believe they can achieve their career objectives. Over 94% employee engagement as of the February 2025 global employee survey results. 99% of our people report that they “love to tell people that they work for WD-40 Company”! Please, only consider employment with WD-40 Company if you feel as strongly about our values as we do: We live, breathe, and play by our values every day.

Thank you for considering WD-40 Company in your career search!

#PositiveLastingMemories

At WD-40 Company we foster a culture of inclusion where all individuals are recognized, valued, respected, and experience a sense of belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to individual characteristics that make us unique such as our backgrounds, experiences, qualities, talents, traits, beliefs, and preferences.