Product Development & Lab Lead
We are recruiting for a Product Development & Lab Lead with a specialist materials manufacturer supplying high-performance coated films, fabrics and composite materials into sectors including automotive, medical/pharma, renewable energy and industrial manufacturing.
This is a hands-on product development role, taking projects from customer requirement and concept through prototyping, testing, production trials and manufacturing implementation.
Key Responsibilities
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Lead product, material and process development projects from concept to production.
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Develop and improve products in response to customer requirements and new business opportunities.
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Carry out hands-on prototyping, sample development and testing.
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Support production trials, process development and scale-up.
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Develop and validate practical test methods.
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Manage the development lab and supervise one R&D Technician.
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Work closely with customers, suppliers, production, quality and commercial teams.
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Manage multiple projects and produce clear technical documentation and reports.
Ideal Background
We're interested in candidates from materials-focused engineering or scientific environments, including:
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Polymer / Polymer Chemistry
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Materials Science / Engineering
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Composites
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Plastics
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Coatings / Films
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Adhesives / Specialist Chemicals
Relevant backgrounds could include Product Development, R&D, NPI, Materials or Process Development Engineering/Science.
You'll need to be a hands-on problem solver with experience taking development work through testing and into manufacturing. Strong communication skills and the ability to work directly with customers are essential.
Direct composites experience is advantageous, but strong candidates from related materials industries will be considered.
