Innovation and Development Manager

About Vibrantz Technologies

Vibrantz Technologies (“Vibrantz” or “Company”) is a leading global provider of specialty chemicals and materials solutions whose purpose is to bring color, performance and vibrancy to life. Every day, our employees, the products we make, and our valued customer partnerships are inspired by this purpose.   Serving customers globally, our innovations are trusted in a variety of advanced materials, color solutions and performance coatings applications to enhance the hue, functionality, safety and environmental footprint of everyday consumer products. Our key competencies in particle engineering, glass and ceramic science and color technology enable benefits like more durable vehicles and batteries, easier-to-clean appliances, energy efficient roof tiles and bricks, stronger and more decorative glass, and eco-friendly paints.  Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Vibrantz has over 60 manufacturing facilities and sales offices on six continents and employs roughly 4,000 individuals. We are building a strong, shared culture that is rooted strongly in our six core values that focus on safety, our people, customers, excellence in all we do, environmental stewardship, and integrity, ethics, and trust. And we are intent upon fostering a workplace that engages employees’ heads, hands and - uniquely - their hearts. 

Vibrantz is owned by American Securities, a leading U.S. private equity firm that invests in market-leading North American companies with annual revenue generally ranging from $200 million to $2 billion and/or $50 million to $200 million of EBITDA. American Securities and its affiliates have approximately $23 billion under management and are based in New York with an office in Shanghai. 

For more information, please visit www.vibrantz.com and www.american-securities.com. 

Job Function

Reporting to the Technical Manager – Americas, the Innovation & Development Manager will be based out of Ashtabula, Ohio and will oversee the technical aspects of new product development, identify emerging opportunities and drive innovation to solve our customer’s most challenging problems.  They will manage the formal development of business cases for new products and market applications, ensuring well-defined value propositions, milestones, and financial impact. This role involves close collaboration with Global Product Management & Commercial teams, conducting Voice of Customer engagements, and identifying strategic opportunities to drive innovation and gain a competitive advantage. Additionally, the I&D Manager will lead the implementation of new product development through the stage-gate process and foster external partnerships to advance adoption.

Responsibilities

• Complies with safety rules and regulations, attends safety meetings and training. Also, reports injury/illness and/or environmental incidents. 

• Responsible for adherence to all Health, Safety and Environment requirements and compliance

• Lead a team of technical experts, fostering engagement, promoting positive team morale and cultivating a productive work environment that encourages open communication and collaboration across functions. 

• Identify, evaluate, and assess which technologies, companies, new applications and / or business opportunities have the potential to add value to the company according to internal metrics & criteria and apply the proper resources needed to ensure success.

• Oversee the development of business cases / proposals, with clearly defined scope & value proposition, milestones & deliverables, tracking resources (people / capital) and overall financial impact (NPV / ROI / EBITDA) for new products & / or market applications.

• Establish and lead implementation process for new product and market development / commercialization throughout the stage-gate process.

• Deliver a pipeline of new products which are in line with business strategy and will provide Vibrantz with a competitive advantage by offering new materials that meet customer requirements.

• Use technical expertise and interpersonal skills to collaborate with leads from functional departments (Product Management, Commercial, Manufacturing, Finance, Product Stewardship, etc)

• Identify external pull & push partners that will help Vibrantz achieve a market entry strategy & foster those relationships to bring value-added information to advance efforts & optimize strategic positioning.

• Represent our technology and solutions to our customers, associations, and external collaborators.

• Establish a robust IP strategy, ensure intellectual property management coordination with legal team

• Educate, inform & steer management to the best growth opportunities

Required Experience

• Masters Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field. 

• 7+ years’ experience in R&D chemicals industry - preferred pigment dispersions, thermoset, paint technology, or coatings applications or commensurate experience.

• 5+ years management experience

• Proven project management skills.

• Leadership Attributes – Results Driven, Business Acumen

• Demonstrated ability for problem solving and the capacity to handle several projects simultaneously are critical.

• Demonstrated ability to engage directly with customers, understand their needs and translate insights into actionable strategies & solutions

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.

• Strong interpersonal communication skills, ability to work effectively in global and diverse teams

• Strong analytical skills and conceptual thinking, good problem solving skills

• Proven computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point. 

Preferred Experience

• PhD preferred.

Location

Ashtabula, OH

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Vibrantz Technologies Inc. (“Vibrantz”) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. Vibrantz strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.