R&D Team Leader - Paints & Coatings

Job Purpose

Primary purpose of the Team leader is to support the business requirements by carrying out research, laboratory work, presenting the results to the stakeholders, following the projects involved with the relevant parties and being translator in between R&D teams and commercial teams. This is to be done by leading a team of chemists in developing new and / or improving existing Broadwall and TWSP products.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage technical team in developing new or improving existing products for SSA business, through projects briefs from marketing team.
• Is the technical content expert for the IWP & EWP portfolio capable of formulating NPI or updating existing product’s formulae according to various requirements by meeting the technical and regulatory challenges.
• Perform the required laboratory tests and understand the results and interpretation of those results in the understandable format. Use and improvement of methodologies and tools. Protection of AkzoNobel technologies.
• Organize the required lab work and execute the plan accordingly.
• Perform benchmark tests and communicates the outcome.
• Communicate results of lab tests to LTS manager and/or marketing/other R&D, PDC
• Maintains and promotes a safe work environment, complies with safety policies and procedures. Follows safe work practices for personal and equipment safety, in both the laboratory and in the field. End results are zero or minimum safety incidents and a clean, orderly working environment.
• Identifies new product/process optimization and technical solutions and new application opportunities for own area/domain and shares these with management.
• Keeps current on uses and improves relevant research methods in the field, ensures retention of knowledge through research reports and ensures other team members stay current.
• To support SAP/ MDG (Master Data Governance) needs as a user managing the daily business activities.
• Supports PV/ IA /HARMONIA as key user. 
• Responsible for supporting the forwarding of requested product samples for PDC.
• Supports PSRA / NOVA requirements.
• Supports the certification of products and systems according to market and marketing requirements by leading in sustainability projects.
• Engages actively with the EWP & IWP PDC centrally and SPECIALTIES colleagues across various EMEA laboratories.
• Supports the business with expert knowledge and guidance for IWP, EWP, SPECIALTIES, PSRA, SUSTAINABILITY

Key Responsibilities (continued)

• Transfers knowledge to internal sales and marketing and operations colleagues through training on IWP, EWP, SPECIALTIES products, PSRA, SUSTAINABILITY, enabling them to transfer same knowledge to customers and operations.
• Customer complaints handling related with the formulae performance for IWP, EWP, SPECIALTIES, PREDECO.
• Stand in for LTS manager during absence.
• Identify opportunities to add value to the business through the commercialization of new technology.
• Champion & drive Product Stewardship agenda in all new product development work, ensuring that all products sold under AN brand fully comply with AN standard. Ensure that health and safety data on technical data sheets, BOP & MSDS complies with AN and local laws.
• To develop a thorough overview and understanding of Global formulations and of different tinting systems to share best practices from the wider AN business while protecting AkzoNobel IP.
• To understand the requirements of local markets & develop a general knowledge of competitor products through benchmarking projects.
• To initiate and drive complexity reduction projects (Fusion & Antipasti) to benefit SSA business and align with global AN requirement.
• To initiate and drive cost improvement projects (VE) to help keep AN business competitive in the marketplace.
• To develop staff members through identifying highflyers & fast tracking their development through assigning them challenging projects while providing guidance.
• To ensure formulae maintenance in PV and SAP is ZREBOM compliant during ICP stage.
• To manage new raw material introduction by ensuring proper evaluation, reporting and compliance to AN raw material slate.
• Champion the resolution of customer and production complaints related to product technology, formulation, RM and applied performance to deliver RFT productions, improved OTIF and minimal customer complaints related to area of technology. ort SAP/ MDG (Master Data Governance) needs as a user managing the daily business activities. 

Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in chemistry
• Strong technical / chemical & R&D background and 6 – 10 years’ experience within decorative coatings. 
• At least 5 years of team management experience.
• Understanding and knowledge of customer requirements’ needs, requirements and aligned to AN products & services.
• Good awareness of technologies such as woodcare, metal care, environmentally friendly paints, high quality paints, low-cost paints, bases for tinting systems, masonry paints and AkzoNobel Global brands.
• Good customer focus and commercial knowledge to lend technical support to Sales and Marketing plans and contribute to SSA & LTS strategy.
• General PSRA awareness and ability to think logically to interpret legislative requirements.
• Broad understanding of diverse cultures and ability to adapt to different styles to add value to SSA team and its customers.
• Able to communicate with people at all levels.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to identify and overcome challenges whilst exploiting opportunities that contribute to overall SSA strategy.
• Experience in presenting technical information to commercial teams in an operational and easily accessible way.
• Advance MS office knowledge.
• Advance skills in the following areas: Analysis, Project management, Influencing, Interpersonal, Communication, Presentation, Team working/building, Creativity, Customer liaison, Negotiating, budgeting, IT & time management. 

Capabilities:

• Motivated team player with a result oriented and problem-solving attitude and a hands on mentality. Work Management with planning capable of dealing with change and uncertainty and managing on deliverables.
• Committed to quality and complying with all company standards around HSE.
• Open minded and focus on sustainability.
• Market & Product Insight
• Business & Technical Communication
• Experimental Principles & Design
• Technical Improvement & Innovation
• Managing Knowledge, Legislation & IP
• Works on confidential projects with PDCs and Strategic suppliers
• Strong quality and performance ethic