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Job Description
Lead R&D initiatives, drive innovation, and ensure alignment with company goals, focusing on quality, efficiency, and sustainability.
The R&D Manager is responsible for leading research and development activities and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive innovation. The role ensures alignment with company goals, focusing on quality, efficiency, sustainability and bringing new products to market.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Planning:
- Develop R&D plans aligned with the company's strategy, incorporating sustainable practices into governance, team readiness, budgeting, and funding planning.
- Collaborate with leadership team to align R&D initiatives with business strategy and ensure compliance with relevant environmental regulations, standards, and safety guidelines.
- Negotiate research agreements, plan budgets and identify funding opportunities.
- Product Development:
- Align R&D projects with customer needs and market trends by working closely with the marketing and sales teams.
- Drive the development of new innovations while ensuring market needs and regulatory requirements are met.
- Develop and maintain a technology roadmap for advancing core technologies to maintain a competitive and sustainable edge.
- Source and manage relationships with external partners, including academic institutions, research organisations, and technology providers.
- Team Leadership:
- Lead, mentor, and develop team members, fostering collaboration and innovation across the business.
- Set clear objectives, monitor progress, and provide ongoing feedback and development opportunities for team members.
- Assess current systems, identify gaps, and implement improvements to enhance team readiness and drive sustainability in R&D operation.
- Project Management:
- Utilise digital platforms for project management, capacity planning, tracking progress, capture expenditure, sustainability metric, and streamline reporting.
- Prepare and present regular reports on R&D activities and maintain thorough documentation for compliance and audit purposes.
- Develop KPIs to measure project success, including project completion rates, budget adherence, and regulatory compliance.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g. Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Science); advanced degrees preferred.
- 3+ years in R&D, with relevant management experience.
- Project management and R&D management certifications (e.g., PMP) are advantageous.
- Proficient in research methodologies, product development and sustainability-driven innovation.
- Proven leader with strong interpersonal and communication skills, inspiring professional teams.
- Skilled in organising and managing multiple projects, including planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.
- Capable of developing and executing long-term R&D strategies aligned with business objectives and sustainability goals.
- Focused on driving creative ideas from concept to implementation.
- Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and data analysis capabilities.
- Effective in working with cross-functional teams and external partners.
- Familiar with relevant regulations, safety standards, and industry guidelines.
Morgan McKinley is acting as an Employment Agency and references to pay rates are indicative.