Research and Development Manager

Make a +Difference at Kraton!

At Kraton, we make a Positive Difference, and we are looking for individuals who are also looking to make a difference in their jobs, for our customers and to the world.  We are looking to hire a key member of our R&D team at our Belpre, Ohio location.  This is an on-site role.

The Technical Manager I leads and manages project teams that focus on new process and product development in the area of Business Unit oversight assigned and associated within functional organizations of Kraton.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical management across the regional project portfolio (milestones, timelines, resource allocation, capabilities, strategic decisions, etc.)
• Develop strong technology competencies within team to support the functional organization projects within assigned area.
• Resolve issues, understand timeline impacts, and monitor progress monthly including budget.
• Ensure proprietary technology and intellectual property protection for developed technology and fit within strategy. 
• Engage actively in internal and external customer, partner/toller, and university interactions as needed.
• Support manufacturing and business projects to improve safety, quality and other business objectives.
• Personnel manager for resource pool of dedicated engineers, scientists and technicians (performance management, personnel development plans, etc.). 
• Work with other managers on the contribution by staff supporting BU initiatives to resolve issues, understand timeline impacts, and monitor progress monthly.
• Effectively engage and maintain intimate relationship between product, process, and manufacturing teams related to products and developments.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated managerial or supervisory experience.
• Exhibit corporate values or demonstrated ability to lead and supervise technical team and have healthy interactions with manufacturing and business functions
• Recognizes opportunities for cross-training and knowledge sharing
• Must be able to communicate and interact effectively with multi-functional, multi-national and diverse backgrounds, both internally and externally with appreciation of thought and cultural diversity.
• Strong people management, project management, and change management skills to manage timelines and delegating to team members appropriately with clarity.
• Must be able to discuss in detail, the engineering and scientific basis of an experimental approach to internal/external customers.
• Must be able to effectively present information and respond to questions from senior management.
• PC literate, knowledge of MS Excel, Word and Outlook required.
   

Education, Certifications & Licenses

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field required with 4 years’ experience supervising technical staff.

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The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification.  Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.

Kraton’s internal talent acquisition team manages our recruiting efforts and from time to time works with pre-selected/pre-approved external staffing agencies. We do NOT accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from recruiters and/or agencies who are not pre-selected/pre-approved.

Kraton is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.