Manager Product Development

Westlake - Longview, TX

Full-time - Manager

Longview, TX

Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

The Polyethylene Product Development Manager is responsible for overseeing the Product Development Group to ensure the development and maintenance of competitive Polyethylene and Epolene products. This role involves collaboration with various teams, managing product development programs, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. The manager will lead a team of engineers and specialists, coordinate technology projects, and assess product lines against competitors to maintain market share.

Responsibilities

• Manage Product Development Group to effectively support product development programs and technology needs of Polyethylene.
• Coordinate activities and projects of Product Development personnel according to priorities across Polyethylene stakeholders.
• Manage direct-report engineers, chemists, and specialists.
• Maintain relationship for close collaboration with the Technology, Product Management, Marketing, Sales, & Production teams.
• Assess Polyethylene and Epolene product lines against competitive products to maintain or grow market shares.
• Ensure core competencies of group are maintained and reinforced.
• Ensure development of product knowledge and process technologies for developing new products and maintaining competitive ones.
• Support needs for Regulatory statements and product certifications.
• Provide timely troubleshooting support to Production.
• Ensure personnel perform duties in a manner to protect personal Safety as well as others, and promote participation in safety related activities and projects.
• Work closely with the Technical Service and the Manager - Applications and Development Labs to build a consensus approach to work, maintenance activities, and Safety across all labs.
• Maintain awareness and evaluate new technology developments, and advise Polyethylene on potential opportunities.
• Offer knowledge and expertise, as needed, to inform projects and to influence long term technology plans.
• Oversee budget and purchasing (SAP) activities across the Product Development cost center.
• Coordinate the Product Development capex budget plans with the Applications and Development group plans.
• Develop a well-performing team, including to anticipate personnel changes, to manage within a small group with diverse backgrounds and experience, and lead recruiting efforts as needed to acquire new talent.
• Ensure all work is done following site health, Safety, and Environmental policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Polyolefin Technology, preferably in product development.
• Knowledge of polymerization processes, resin characterization, polymer processing, and applications.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Experience managing professionals and technicians in technical-development programs.
• B.S. Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, with demonstrable, direct experience in the industry; advanced degree preferred.
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office, SAP, etc.