Description

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Technical Director will have overall responsibility for long-range new product development for pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tapes, product modifications to existing products, and technical support for existing products. Responsibilities include management of the new product development/technical support group, the product development laboratory, and the pilot coater. Key disciplines under this position include product development, process development, and material science. The director will work with key partners, internally and externally, to develop and implement the technology and business strategies. The director will be responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating NPD efforts to ensure timelines, customer, quality, and cost objectives are met. The Technical Director is also responsible for sourcing new raw materials, developing supplier relationships, negotiating new raw material pricing, and supporting the Quality and Production departments as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Maintains a high standard of safety performance within the group. Ensures all job duties of the function are conducted in a safe manner, including the handling, storage, and disposal of materials in accordance with environmental regulations.


• Develop research and development programs that are consistent with the technology and business strategies.


• Lead the Product Development/Technical Service team in executing NPD and core business support activities.


• Maintain an understanding of Shurtape's current and targeted applications employing acrylic, hot melt, synthetic and natural rubber technologies, including the performance requirements of these applications, and the unmet needs of users. Develop relationships with outside partners to identify and implement solutions for meeting these unmet needs. Work closely with Customer/OEM's and Sales to identify customer needs and utilize the information to develop products to meet the end-use application.


• Work closely with suppliers, contract laboratories, and external technology providers to develop, scale-up and commercialize new PSAs, as well as to refine current product designs.


• Manage group resources to ensure NPD projects meet deadlines and product performance objectives.


• Promote a strong culture of collaboration within the group and with peers across the key functions to accelerate NPD and to identify new technology opportunities.


• Ensure the Intellectual Property activities is consistent with the technology and business strategies.


• Employ a strategy of Open Innovation by building and leveraging relationships with suppliers, customers, universities, and other technology partners to meet unmet needs through the co-development of technology. Work with Marketing to utilize Voice of the Customer (VOC) methods.


• Establish and utilize metrics designed to drive innovation in the NPD group.


• Maintain a pipeline of new product ideas that are differentiated and have the potential to meet key customer/OEM/market needs.


• Maintain an awareness of external product and process technology developments through external networks (academia, suppliers, customers, research institutes, etc.), literature study, and technical meetings and conferences. Incorporate this information into the development of new products.


• Provide ongoing support to Manufacturing in the areas of process development, process support and quality.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Track record of developing and commercializing new products on time and within budget, as well as experience with the use of new product development methodologies including project management, phase-gate, ideation, VOC, Design of Experiments (DOE), Intellectual Property (IP) management, literature and patent research, and working with Sales and Marketing to launch new products.


• Deep knowledge of acrylic PSAs including experience with the scale-up of product through commercialization. Knowledge of the manufacturing processes and associated challenges with scale-up to manufacturing is preferred. Experience with radiation curing technology is a plus.


• Expertise in coating processes (reverse roll, slot die, Mayer rod).


• Knowledge of Converting techniques including Slitting (Score, Razor, and Shear), Spooling, and Logging.


• Strong understanding of how to develop and use structure-property relationships to identify the interactions between adhesives and additives, tape constructions and substrates to develop new or improve existing products.


• Strong understanding of release liners, paper and film structures, as well as silicone/non-silicone chemistries related to end use applications


• Expertise in the physical, chemical, material and rheological characterization of polymers, including the interpretation of GPC, DSC, TGA, FTIR, SEM, DMA data.


• Knowledge in test methods related to tape and tape performance (PSTC, ASTM, AFERA, JATMA, NFPA, AAMA, Automotive - See Table 1.)


• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to define the problem, evaluate options and converge on a solution quickly.


• Understanding of the financial aspects of developing and scaling up new products.


• Ability to think strategically and to influence and impact strategy.


• Ability to lead and inspire teams and to build a strong collaborative environment within the group, and with Quality and Production groups


• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.


• Results oriented, with strong organizational skills.


• Demonstrated ability to champion change and drive improvement in others.


• Demonstrated ability to work with Customers and Sales to develop adhesive tape solutions for end-use applications, particularly Automotive, Electronics, Aerospace, Medical, Foam Lamination, Appliance, Building and Construction, and Graphics.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Education/Certification Requirements




• Minimum MS in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science/Engineering or Organic Chemistry.




• Experience




• 15+ years' PSA experience (a concentration in acrylic technology is preferred).


• 10+ years research management experience.




• 25-35% Travel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Sitting/standing for extended periods of time


• Typing


• Some light lifting


• Manual dexterity for completion of technical tasks

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a fast-paced work environment with consistent pressure to complete duties as outlined above which requires ability to manage multiple projects at a detailed level and provide support to many internal departments in a fast-changing environment. Many duties listed above are time-sensitive and have strict deadlines for completion.

• Work in the laboratory, office, and production environments


• Travel may be involved to visit other company facilities, visiting suppliers, and customers

TABLE 1: BUILDING ENVELOPE STANDARDS AND CODE ORGANIZATIONS

AAMA: American Architectural Manufacturers Association

AFERA: (European Adhesive Tape Association)

Automotive Standards

ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials

JATMA: Japan Adhesive Tape Manufacturers Association

NFPA: National Fire Protection Association

PSTC: Pressure Sensitive Tape Council