Lab Manager (Salem)
Akzo Nobel

We've been pioneering a world of possibilities to bring surfaces to life for well over 200 years. As experts in making coatings, there's a good chance you're only ever a few meters away from one of our products. Our world class portfolio of brands - including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and have set our sights on becoming the global industry leader. It's what you'd expect from the most sustainable paints company, which has been inventing the future for more than two centuries.

Job Purpose

Position is responsible for managing R&D activities and day-to-day operations through supervising and management of a team. The position is actively engaged in the product development and product maintenance and introduction of new products to customers and support the manufacture of these products. The Solutions Manager develops and implements an operational plan and objectives for the team and is responsible for performance and talent management for the team. The successful candidate must constructively interact with worldwide personnel to facilitate a productive and efficient organization.

Key Accountabilities

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Key Activities

• Define and implement R&D programs designed to maintain and grow the powder business. Work effectively with marketing, sales, and production to achieve business goals
• Provides immediate, active direct support for production and customer problems, to rapidly identify root cause and implement permanent corrective action
• Visits customer facilities to supervise trials runs of new products, trouble shoot products on-line, and to make formal presentations to customers
• Coordinate lab-wide activities concerning personnel management, raw material rationalization and control and synergy with manufacturing
• Effective interface with other AkzoNobel technical employees in North America and other worldwide laboratories to achieve a cohesive international strategy
• Represent AkzoNobel as a technology leader to colleagues, customers, suppliers, and the coatings industry
• Ensure the successful commercialization and introduction of new AkzoNobel Powder Coating technologies to the marketplace
• Identifies Akzo Nobel Intellectual Property and acts to protect it
• Implement strategic plans to meet overall lab goals regarding safety, product and formula rationalization, and development of laboratory staff
• Promotes the quality system through adhering to the elements of and being familiar with the philosophy, quality statement, quality manual and procedures
• Promotes health, safety and environmental regulations by ensuring that standards, policies, and procedures are adhered to in compliance with corporate, federal, state, and local requirements
• Performs other duties as required for the success of Akzo Nobel Paints & Coatings
• Stimulates, manages and follows through on employee engagement and builds on the workforce to reflect the societies and markets in which we do business. Creates an open environment in the team where all people can perform at their best and stimulates the development of others and ensures an engaged team
• Ensures reporting line is fully informed and acts in line with HSE and Compliance regulations

• Advanced degree (M.S and/or PhD) in chemistry, chemistry engineering or polymer science; or a B.S. science degree with 10 or more year's experience in coatings science and technology
• Very good understanding of powder coatings chemistries and raw materials, powder application, and powder manufacturing
• Must have a good understanding of the US (preferably global) powder coatings market
• Experience working in other Functional areas (within powder) or other AkzoNobel BUs
• Experience working within multi-cultural and international environment
• Must be able and willing to travel