Applications Development Manager, Americas

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.

POSITION TITLE  

Applications Development Manager, Americas

POSITION OVERVIEW 

To lead the Americas development team. The applications development team works closely with sales, technical service, and research and development to validate the value proposition and performance attributes of additives in coatings systems.  This person will be responsible for managing the Americas project portfolio, delivering data to support claimed benefits, and developing short and long- term resource and capability plans. 

This person will support the development and growth of Borchers additives business in line with the business’ commercial strategy. Responsibilities includes leading the applications and co-supplier development team, developing new business opportunities, providing effective applications testing data to support the benefits of our additives, and discovering new benefits / value propositions to take to market. The position will report directly to the Global Technical Director, based in our Westlake, Ohio office and technical center. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Engage, develop, and lead the Americas applications and co-supplier development team. 

• Determine and/or provide necessary evidence to support value propositions in a breadth of products and market applications.  

• Assist with market and technical competitive analysis. 

• Develop market-applicable value propositions with Borchers additives  

• Travel required to support field trials, develop co-supplier projects, project activity and engagement with the global team. 

• Support product launch activities and assist with Tradeshows, Conferences, Technical Sales training, and channel partner training. 

• Portfolio and project management 

• Guidance and support for applications development and co-supplier development and project prioritization 

• Communicate effectively with the global technical team and share learnings, experiences, and challenges 

• Communicate effectively with stakeholders at different levels 

• Bench chemists 

• Technical leaders 

• Marketing group to learn and understand market needs and product value props 

• Sales team 

• Completion of project scope documents, project updates and final reports  

• Candidate must be hands on working on projects in the lab. This hands-on approach is critical to gain learnings of the product line and the formulating aspects and full understanding of the value propositions they provide. 

• Use and ensure the use of our digital lab book Alchemy within the team. 

• Commitment to Environment, Health and Safety (EHS). 

• Position requires up to 50% travel, includes global travel. 

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED 

• Bachelors degree in a polymer science, material science, chemistry, or related science field 

• Minimum of 5 years in the Paints and Coatings industry 

• Experience evaluating different coating formulations against established performance criteria 

• Track record of developing solutions that meet established performance criteria 

• Delivering technical product training 

• Proven history of development and delivery of technical presentations and product training  

• Leadership experience  

• Design of experiments (DOE) experience 

The successful candidate will have strengths in the following: 

• Communication and presentation skills 

• Financial and business acumen  

• Experience building and leading a diverse team 

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.