Saint-Gobain - Amherst, NY
posted about 2 months ago
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.