TS&D and NPD Manager, Plastic Additives

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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TS&D and NPD Manager, Plastic Additives

This position falls within Milliken’s Plastic Additives business. The Plastic Additives business is a global business with sales and technical service across the globe. We are a manufacturer of performance additives for mainly polyolefins and colorants for a variety of plastics. Our focus is to increase the market of polyolefin usage by driving towards more sustainable solutions.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The TS&D and NPD (New Product Development) Manager, Plastics Additives is responsible for leading a team of scientists and engineers in new product development (NPD) as well as identification and expertise in new applications for existing products.   Additionally, this individual will work closely with the R&D Director, Product Line Managers, and business and division leadership to actively manage our project portfolio.   Helping to craft well-defined scope documents and provide oversight to project teams is a key deliverable. Engaging with the global Plastic Additives Technical Service and Development organization is a major responsibility to ensure the successful launch of new products, as well as identifying new opportunities for innovation.

This role reports to the global R&D Director and will work closely with the commercial organization, business, and division leadership to drive business unit growth objectives. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute a healthy NPD project pipeline to achieve business growth objectives.
• Manage a team of 20+ individuals with varying levels of experience 
• Develop team members as technical professionals and managing for excellence, including skills development, constructive feedback, goal setting, and hiring and succession planning.
• Create and manage an annual budget (with the R&D Director).
• Coordinate (with the global TS&D team) a comprehensive capital plan for lab equipment.
• Help develop and ensure adherence to well-defined scope documents for projects.
• Ensure project teams are meeting project milestones and have clear plans in place.
• Thoughtfully review and make suggestions to improve business cases and project plans for new product development initiatives.
• Champion and collaborate with R&D, Sales, and Operations teams to define and prioritize new product or business development opportunities.
• Ensure new projects are “market ready” prior to hand-off to TS&D and Sales teams.
• Support Operations on opportunities for improvement in manufacturing, sourcing, and quality as required.

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• BS degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science (or related technical field).
• 5+ years of professional work experience.
• 1+ years of experience managing a team.
• Ability to travel up to 20% a year (domestic and international).
• Demonstrated experience in project management and leadership of technical professionals.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across the division and company.

The successful candidate will have strengths in the following:

• A high energy leader, with experience working with global, cross functional teams and a great sense of ownership.  “It’s my business” mentality.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams.
• Excellent technical acumen, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Exhibit a sense of urgency and independent initiative toward accomplishing objectives.
• Ability to forge working relationships quickly across geographic and cultural boundaries.

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.