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We are seeking an experienced R&D Manager with scientific and/or chemistry experience to lead our R&D team. You will manage a small team of engineers and technicians to develop and improve our range of innovative chemistry equipment. You will also fill a 'hands-on' Senior Scientist role, providing scientific and technological guidance to the R&D team and contributing to the company's strategic product development and product portfolio plans. This role provides a dynamic environment, collaborating with experienced technical experts to create products that advance chemical research.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary R&D team, developing a culture of innovation and excellence through high levels of communication.
- Manage the New Product Development process from concept through to production, including planning, resource management, KPIs, and budgeting, ensuring technical excellence, quality, and cost-efficiency within the team, suppliers, sub-contractors, consultants, and external partners.
- Lead the strategic Product Development Programme (PDP), proactively using ideas and knowledge within the company and the wider community to ensure they align with market demands.
- Communicate R&D progress and findings to stakeholders, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
- Support the New Product Introduction (NPI) process, ensuring the successful transition of R&D projects from development into product launch and production.
- Oversee the Engineering Change Request (ECR) process.
- Hands-on Senior Scientist role, including:
- Provide scientific and technological guidance to the R&D team, supporting product development projects.
- Contribute to the company's strategic product development plans to ensure they align with market demands.
- Actively participate in R&D projects, attending review meetings and ensuring projects meet end-user requirements.
- Proactively engage with the external scientific community through conferences, customer visits, and exhibitions to build networks, knowledge, and company visibility.
- Share relevant knowledge and learning across the company, both within existing 'Insight' and 'Voice of Customer' processes and broader internal communication.
- Oversee internal testing processes for new and existing products and provide advice to ensure alignment with quality and performance expectations.
- Identify opportunities for collaborations and partnerships that drive innovation and expand the company's market reach.
- Explore product in-licensing or acquisition opportunities to enhance the company's product portfolio.
- Support the maintenance of the company's IP and patent portfolio to protect technological innovations.
- Continuously monitor advances in chemistry and wider technologies across the drug discovery industry to integrate insights into product development.
About You
You are likely to be an experienced people manager and chemist/scientist with a background in chemistry instruments, laboratory technologies, and product development, skilled in getting the best out of your team and delivering projects on time and to budget. You will need the right mix of science, chemistry, product development, commercial, and people management skills. You will be a strong manager and communicator, able to present ideas and project updates at all levels within the company. You'll lead the R&D team in developing and improving chemistry productivity tools, working alongside engineers and scientists to create innovative products.
Specific Skills and Experience Required
- Minimum 5 years management experience, with a record of building and managing high-performance teams.
- Minimum of 10 years' experience in a scientific or laboratory environment.
- Expertise in project management and team leadership, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
- Degree in chemistry, biotechnology, or a related scientific field.
- Understanding of synthetic organic chemistry and the medicinal chemistry process.
- Knowledge of process development, scale-up chemistry, and the drug discovery process.
- Experience of delivering innovation in lab chemistry methods, technologies, and instrumentation.
- Experience of experimental design and data analysis.
- Basic understanding of mechanical engineering and CAD.
- Knowledge of design, prototyping, and testing processes.
- Familiarity with materials science in relation to laboratory instrumentation.
- Experience with patents and the patenting process.
- Proven ability to evaluate and implement emerging technologies.
- Experience collaborating with research institutions or academic partners.
- Good problem-solving skills.
ACS are recruiting for an R&D Manager. If you feel that you have the skills and experience required in this advertisement to be an R&D Manager, please submit your CV including an outline of your experience as an R&D Manager. It is always a good idea to include a covering letter outlining your experience as an R&D Manager with your application as this will enhance your chances of selection and improve your prospects of landing the R&D Manager role you desire.
