Product Development Manager (Boron Nitride)

$100,000 - $175,000/Yr

Saint-Gobain - Amherst, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

Amherst, NY

1,001-5,000 employees

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

About the position

The Product Development Manager is responsible for planning, directing, managing, and coordinating product and process research development activities to identify and procure commercially viable technologies and materials to drive growth. This role focuses on process, product, and applications development for new and improved products to meet market and customer needs or to develop new processes for more economical or sustainable production of existing products. The Product Development Manager provides technical expertise and direction to meet Boron Nitride's strategic goals and manages the global R&D portfolio with activity in the US, Europe, and China. In this position, the manager serves as the subject matter expert for customer interactions and co-development with partners, providing technical services and support to Marketing, Manufacturing, and Quality. The role operates independently with limited direction from the R&D Director for Specialty Grains & Powders and the General Manager for Boron Nitride. While this role does not currently have direct reports, it is anticipated that the manager will eventually oversee a Product Development Engineer and/or R&D Technician, providing direction, support, and development opportunities. The essential functions of the role include the development of improved manufacturing practices and process capabilities, supporting process engineering to solve problems, and evaluating designs and specifications. The manager will also evaluate the feasibility of producing new products on a production scale and ensure project transitions from lab to pilot to production scale. The role involves developing and managing the new product pipeline with existing and new customers/markets, providing marketing and quality with technical support, and maintaining technical competence in materials and process technology.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, manage, and coordinate product and process research development activities.
• Identify and procure commercially viable technologies and materials to drive growth.
• Focus on process, product, and applications development for new and improved products.
• Provide technical expertise and direction to meet Boron Nitride's strategic goals.
• Manage the global R&D portfolio with activity in the US, Europe, and China.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for customer interactions and co-development with partners.
• Provide technical services and support to Marketing, Manufacturing, and Quality.
• Develop and manage the new product pipeline with existing customers/markets (45%).
• Develop and manage the new product pipeline with new customers/markets (35%).
• Evaluate feasibility of producing new products on production scale and assure project transition from lab to pilot to production scale.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field required, ideally materials science or ceramics engineering.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 2 - 3 years of experience in an engineering capacity within an industrial manufacturing environment required.
• 2 - 3 years of experience related to technology transfer.
• Experience within ceramic dispersions or Boron Nitride highly preferred.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in market development of industrial products in at least two current market segments (i.e. thermal management, polymer processing technology, semiconductor, etc.).
• Direct supervision/management experience preferred.
• Knowledge of TQM principles required.
• Strong project management skills, including leading and executing both short term and long term projects.
• Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• High level of interpersonal skills and ability to build cooperative working relationships.
• Demonstrated experience taking ownership, managing cost and results.
• Strong proficiency of digital tools and data analysis.
• High level of analytical thinking & application of scientific fundamentals needed to translate customer/market needs into product value propositions.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in the development of improved manufacturing practices and process capabilities.
• Familiarity with customer site visits and internal site visits for business development.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• AD&D insurance
• Cash balance pension plan
• Commuter assistance
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Medical, Prescription Drug, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Healthcare Saving Account and Flexible Spending Account options
• LiveWell Wellness Program
• Paid Time Off and Paid Parental Leave
• Company-provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary employee and dependent life insurance, Long-Term Disability, Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Group Legal
• Identity Theft Protection
• Auto and Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance and Discounts
• Back-up Child and Elder Care
• PerkSpot Employee Discount Program
• Volunteer Day