Technical Manager

**TECHNICAL MANAGER (Colorants / Manufacturing / Chemical / Industrial) - Johannesburg**

**R56 000 to R64 000 Per Month (Negotiable on Qualification and Years of relevant experience)**

**Global Manufacturing concern** is seeking the expertise of a dynamic Technical Manager to join their innovative team of professionals.

**Main Purpose of the Role**:
The Technical Manager is responsible for leading a technical team whose responsibility is to safely and efficiently design, plan and execute projects to meet customer requirements, specifications and expectations through QC, colour science, technical service, and R&D. This position will prioritize projects / programs in the labs to convert opportunities and or systematically resolve issues. This role will coordinate technical reports to both internal and external customers and will work closely with vendors to convert opportunities in the most efficient means possible.

**Qualifications and Requirements**:

- ** Bachelors degree in BS/BA in an appropriate field of science (Chemist or Chem. Eng. preferred)**:

- Required to speak, read, and write in English fluently
- Proven ability to work collaboratively across sites and regions to implement best practices
- ** Direct colorant and/or paint formulation experience, or specific base chemistry experience ie water, solvent, 1K, 2K, epoxy, urethane, acrylic, enamel, alkyd**. etc.
- ** Colour Science experience** with database work
- Academic background in **coatings chemistry, polymer chemistry, surfactant/additive technology, or rheology** is desirable
- Ability to supervise and manage others
- ** Prior management experience - preferable 3+ years**:

- Demonstrated ability for problem solving and the capacity to handle several projects simultaneously are critical
- A basic commercial understanding of business and customer priorities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills required
- ** Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint**:

- Ability to generate and work with Excel models while simultaneously implementing new business enterprise systems
- ** PowerBI knowledge is preferred**:

- Proven project management skills preferred
- ** Experience in ISO9001 and Continuous Improvement Initiatives such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing and JIT**:

- Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience working within a multi-national company preferred
- Must have a valid drivers license

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Actively supervise and prioritize the projects to optimize output as required by the business
- Manage the QC, R&D and Colour Lab personnel and workflow on a daily basis
- Manage end to end projects and ensure deadlines are met (e.g. customer specific design of colorant range, or technology transfer project(s))
- Keep up to date with regional industry trends and evolving industry regulations and sustainability trends (i.e. low VOC requirements) and maintain high level of competence through patent literature, technical conferences, etc.
- Track, analyse, and report/publish data, identifying trends/themes to inform strategy
- Educate/inform internal customers of new or changing requirements and objectives
- Responsible for adherence to all Health, Safety and Environment requirements and compliance with both Manages employees performance and training; being part of a mentor team
- Work cross functionally to understand changes in supply chain, market conditions and customer expectations to align the innovation opportunities and / or changes in ARMs. Actively manage the risks of introducing alternative raw materials
- Present technical reports at customer / management meetings
- Actively support sales and marketing staff to present technical work on new developments and technical support to customers
- Travel provide on-site customer support as deemed necessary
- Application of problem-solving techniques in response to customer concerns and opportunities
- Complete bench work required and defined by experimental design
- Active support of, and participation in, all appropriate BMS and H, S & E aspects
- Participate in the planning process, including fiscal year tactical plan, budgetary expenses, project objectives, timeliness, and guidelines for the development of technologies to address market specific needs
- Establish safe chemical practices and procedures as it relates to the additives systems employed
- Communicate technology in terms of features and benefits as they support project objectives
- Prepare exhibits, specimens and presentation that illustrate key characteristics
- Determine specification requirements for materials used in or result from research development
- Customer complaint management and reporting Perform other duties from time to time as assigned