Technical Director R&D
Carlisle Fluid Technologies

Job Info

Job Summary:

The Director of Research and Development (R&D) will forge strategic partnerships across product management, sales, marketing, operations, and customer realms to deliver pioneering solutions within the building construction industry. This role bears the crucial responsibility of spearheading technological advancements in Building Envelope Systems, the vanguard of regulating water, air, vapor, and energy flow within structures. Collaborating hand-in-hand with the Director of Innovation, you will lead the charge in conceptualizing new product endeavors. Additionally, you will helm the R&D division, propelling vital functions encompassing competitive analyses, cost optimization, raw material validation, and thorough root cause investigations to address quality intricacies. This multifaceted position will operate under the guidance of the CWT VP R&D, harmonizing with the strategic directives of the Director of Product Management. This candidate will be based in our Kimberton, PA HQ.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Opportunity Identification and Strategic Planning (40%):

* Collaborate with Product Management, Sales, and Marketing to engage with customers, recognizing opportunities and challenges in the building construction industry.
* Convert identified insights into ideas and solutions, enriching the New Product Development (NPD) pipeline for CWT.
* Manage and prioritize NPD pipeline and portfolio activities, ensuring alignment with CWT's business strategy and vision.
* Present well-defined solutions to customers, founded on recognized opportunities and challenges.

Technology Innovation and IP Management (40%):

* Scout for cutting-edge technologies that can enhance CWT's current product lines or facilitate entry into new markets.
* Secure intellectual property (IP) rights and establish partnerships for technology development when applicable.

Cross-Functional Team Leadership and Development (20%):

* Formulate cross-functional teams to outline project priorities, project scopes, and future development trajectories linked to emerging technologies.
* Align new technology projects with customer-desired attributes and validate market potential through lab trials, prototyping, and mock-up evaluations.
* Implement efficient processes and measurable metrics to drive results and innovation within the R&D landscape.

Additional Responsibilities:

* Detect emerging innovation trends and potential business prospects through methodologies like ethnography.
* Collaborate with product management to construct compelling value propositions and business cases, encompassing both short and long-term profit and loss (P&L) impacts.
* Communicate novel ideas and approaches to senior stakeholders, presenting innovative concepts and strategies.
* Ability to travel up to 20%

Required Skills & Abilities:

* Materials Proficiency: Basic understanding of the materials employed in CWT's product manufacturing.
* Construction Code Insight: Capability to link construction code requirements to the attributes of construction materials.
* Building Construction Acumen: General familiarity with building construction systems and their components.
* Stage-Gate NPD Process: Familiarity with the Stage-Gate New Product Development (NPD) process.
* Project Management Skills: Proficiency in project management principles to drive effective project execution.
* Software Proficiency: Competence in using various software tools, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM), JDE, and Microsoft Office suite.
* Communication Proficiency: Strong oral and written communication skills to effectively convey ideas and information.
* Interpersonal Skills: Ability to interact effectively with colleagues, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.
* Time Management: Skill in managing time efficiently to meet project deadlines and priorities.
* Cross-Functional Collaboration: Capability to function well within cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and synergy.
* Influence and Persuasion: Ability to exert influence and persuade others, even without formal authority.
* Executive Presentation: Skill in crafting and delivering presentations to executive management.

Education & Experience:

* Ph.D. Preferred: Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physical Science, or Materials Engineering/Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology.
* Industry Leadership: 10+ years of industry experience, including substantial experience leading New Product Development (NPD) teams.

OR

* Equivalency Considered: Bachelor's degree with 15+ years of experience in areas such as new product development, material development, and new business development.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled