R&D Manager

R&D Manager

Main Purpose of the Job:

• Lead key projects with R&D to support business goals.
• Develop research programs incorporating current developments to improve existing products and study the potential of new products.
• Understand customer expectations on to-be manufactured products.
• Research, plan, and implement new protocols and programs into their organization.
• Supervise research and the development of new knowledge-based products.

Main objectives and results:

• Implementation of a R&D Programs into group business to drive innovation and product enhancement to market position
• Develop an R&D Roadmap through Ideation to Production Ready and ensures complete validation of Roadmap (Financial, Tooling and Equipment, Validation and Circularity etc)
• Key Focus Point for Customer contact and ensures the business Roadmap is aligned to customer trends and product development
• Provides insight to internal and external stakeholder trends and aspirations to enhance develop of products and technologies
• Lead Customer Roadshow and Engagement Sessions
• Provide Operational Support and Guidance to ongoing issue management and corrective action planning for production issues
• Builds the knowledge in our company for our industry and other influencing sectors
• Implement robust FMEA Processes to support Production Approval

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent job related experience; MBA/ MS preferred
• 10 years related experience, preferably in the automotive industry
• Proven track record of R&D, Product Innovation and Implementation
• Prior experience in a management capacity; experience in employee development highly desirable
• Possess high level of diplomacy for both internal and external customer contacts
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, management and communication skills
• Possess in-depth knowledge of job-related technical skills: GD&T, DFM, DFA, CAE/FEA, CAD
• Good working knowledge / understanding industry standards & related procedures incl. APQP/ PPAP/ IATF16949
• Sufficient verbal and written language skills associated to IAC and the programme / operational locations.
• Adaptability in the location of work including business travel