10.17.14
Small, well-established and growing specialty industrial coatings formulator with global reach has a meaningful opportunity for an experienced technical executive to join the next generation leadership team. The Company is transitioning from its historically entrepreneurial approach to a more strategic, market-driven, professionally-managed organization. Commercial and Finance heads are already in place; the VP Technology is the next critical hire. If you are looking for not just a job, but a place to make a real difference in a business and in developing the people on your team, this is for you!
Top priorities are to be a true thought partner with Commercial, and to develop your team who are qualified, eager and ready to step up. The emphasis here is on strategic leadership rather than “Top Scientist.” As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the President, you will lead a staff of twelve chemists and technicians.
The Company has a diverse product mix, including some strong niche technologies; as VP Technology you will have responsibility for all areas of research, product development, testing and quality control, and contribute to growth through development of the technical organization. Current product lines include solvent borne, water borne, UV curable, aerosols, powder coatings and other specialty products.
Key goals and associated responsibilities include:
• Play a significant role facilitating a transition to a more strategic/professionally managed organization while demonstrating appropriate sensitivity to the cultural dynamics and nuances that have led to the organization’s success.
• Play a key role in the development and implementation of the Company’s strategic objectives, including product development, strategic alliances, acquisitions, and development of key customer relationships.
• Responsible for product quality, including performance testing, troubleshooting, and interfacing with key customers and prospects on technical matters.
• Supervise and develop staff chemists to achieve objectives regarding customer satisfaction, new product introduction and quality.
• Development of the next level of leadership is also a strategic priority and you will coach and develop the talent pool and capabilities of direct reports and others across the organization. Demonstrated ability and willingness to lead and model collaborative leadership behaviors is essential.
• Advise the company on potential risks and product liabilities.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for all products being sold.
• Ensure issues regarding raw materials, manufacturing process, quality or performance are resolved in a timely manner. You will work closely with Manufacturing & Production to facilitate their success.
• Approve vendors and raw materials, as well as working with purchasing to negotiate favorable pricing and terms on material purchases.
• Enhance the value of the company’s investment in research and development.
To be successful in the role, a combination of education, experience and personal characteristics is required:
• 8+ years of senior leadership experience in industrial coatings formulation and product development, with a thorough knowledge of coating systems, applications and research methods. THIS IS A CORE REQUIREMENT
• Bachelors Degree or higher in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science or a closely related field. THIS IS A CORE REQUIREMENT. Advanced degree helpful; but proven leadership skills in the industrial coatings industry are the most important requirement.
• Ability to assess business needs and translate them into action to achieve organizational objectives: connect the technical to the business aspects effectively.
• Decisive without being abrasive: communication, facilitation and consensus building skills are highly desirable but need to be balanced by the ability to drive forward and execute effectively.
• Proven success developing technical personnel. You have successfully led your team members to accomplish more and rise higher in their own careers, and you enjoy this as much as the technical product development aspect of your work.
• Enjoy a small team environment. The company is informal, friendly, family-oriented with many long-term employees; and your ability to integrate into the environment while still providing leadership is essential.
• Willing to travel if needed (this is not a high travel position but some travel, including occasional international travel, is expected).
• Willing and able to live/relocate to Eugene, OR.
In exchange for your experience, leadership, commitment and energy, the Company offers a competitive salary plus bonus, benefits and exceptional quality of life. Relocation is available for the right candidate.
Top priorities are to be a true thought partner with Commercial, and to develop your team who are qualified, eager and ready to step up. The emphasis here is on strategic leadership rather than “Top Scientist.” As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the President, you will lead a staff of twelve chemists and technicians.
The Company has a diverse product mix, including some strong niche technologies; as VP Technology you will have responsibility for all areas of research, product development, testing and quality control, and contribute to growth through development of the technical organization. Current product lines include solvent borne, water borne, UV curable, aerosols, powder coatings and other specialty products.
Key goals and associated responsibilities include:
• Play a significant role facilitating a transition to a more strategic/professionally managed organization while demonstrating appropriate sensitivity to the cultural dynamics and nuances that have led to the organization’s success.
• Play a key role in the development and implementation of the Company’s strategic objectives, including product development, strategic alliances, acquisitions, and development of key customer relationships.
• Responsible for product quality, including performance testing, troubleshooting, and interfacing with key customers and prospects on technical matters.
• Supervise and develop staff chemists to achieve objectives regarding customer satisfaction, new product introduction and quality.
• Development of the next level of leadership is also a strategic priority and you will coach and develop the talent pool and capabilities of direct reports and others across the organization. Demonstrated ability and willingness to lead and model collaborative leadership behaviors is essential.
• Advise the company on potential risks and product liabilities.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for all products being sold.
• Ensure issues regarding raw materials, manufacturing process, quality or performance are resolved in a timely manner. You will work closely with Manufacturing & Production to facilitate their success.
• Approve vendors and raw materials, as well as working with purchasing to negotiate favorable pricing and terms on material purchases.
• Enhance the value of the company’s investment in research and development.
To be successful in the role, a combination of education, experience and personal characteristics is required:
• 8+ years of senior leadership experience in industrial coatings formulation and product development, with a thorough knowledge of coating systems, applications and research methods. THIS IS A CORE REQUIREMENT
• Bachelors Degree or higher in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science or a closely related field. THIS IS A CORE REQUIREMENT. Advanced degree helpful; but proven leadership skills in the industrial coatings industry are the most important requirement.
• Ability to assess business needs and translate them into action to achieve organizational objectives: connect the technical to the business aspects effectively.
• Decisive without being abrasive: communication, facilitation and consensus building skills are highly desirable but need to be balanced by the ability to drive forward and execute effectively.
• Proven success developing technical personnel. You have successfully led your team members to accomplish more and rise higher in their own careers, and you enjoy this as much as the technical product development aspect of your work.
• Enjoy a small team environment. The company is informal, friendly, family-oriented with many long-term employees; and your ability to integrate into the environment while still providing leadership is essential.
• Willing to travel if needed (this is not a high travel position but some travel, including occasional international travel, is expected).
• Willing and able to live/relocate to Eugene, OR.
In exchange for your experience, leadership, commitment and energy, the Company offers a competitive salary plus bonus, benefits and exceptional quality of life. Relocation is available for the right candidate.