With sustainability at the forefront of development, our Client manufactures a range of adaptive polymer-based material technologies which are water-soluble and formulated to biodegrade entirely. Used in combination with other materials it serves to enhance recyclability and end-of-life options.

They are seeking a Product Manager to assist the validation process, through conducting trials at customer sites and supporting development and the transfer of trialled and validated formulations into a variety of production processes for customers and partners.

This position aims to connect the conversion of their polymer from a base product to a final finished product, overseeing the complete trial program, understanding and trouble shooting at each step and assisting in any regulatory requirements on the way (ie, food contact).

Responsibilities;

•    To work to specified project plans as defined by the CTO/Technical Manager to support development of new products for a variety of applications.

•    To manage the planning and execution of product trials, on external premises/machinery or at our Clients factories globally; including the timely recording of data and trial reports onto the system, as directed.

•    To lead the technical evaluation of supporting products and processes on allocated projects to align with customer requirements.

•    As part of the technical team, to support all end-of-life testing programmes for films and applications including data reporting and ensure knowledge is shared across the team and recorded on company systems.

•    In conjunction with the production and technical teams to gather data to inform the viability of formulations for feedback into the production process within identified projects.

•    To train and advise operators at customer on-site trials, to be able to successfully run the company products to meet the commercial outcomes identified.

•    To use technical knowledge to devise new processes, or refine existing ones.

•    To validate and record new processes to demonstrate improvements and define the standardisation of the production process both in-house (via the R & D team) and for customers.

•    Monitor and report plant processing performance for customers to enable improvements to their SOPs as necessary to support the adoption of the company’s products more effectively.

•    To build rapport with customers/ partners and maintain communications on a regular basis to offer ongoing advice and support on company products and deal with queries and problems to meet customer needs.

•    Work to achieve set internal KPI’s for quality and reporting and present technical updates at meetings where requested.

•    To contribute to the development/continuous improvement of ‘Technical Transfer’ manuals/materials to support customers.

•    To respond to allocated/specified enquiries for technical fact-finding & product specification requirements from customers and to action as per the enquiries process and the samples process; and follow-up to enable technical /commercial decisions to be made and projects initiated.

•    Establish customer needs and manage the associated technical requirements to achieve successful project outcomes to support business growth.

•    Arrange initial and project update meetings with clients to set up product demonstrations to meet customer requirements.

•    Ensure all customer interactions are recorded through update of company systems as required and via close work with the projects/commercial team.

•    To provide technical knowledge and support for all allocated applications/commercial opportunities to support business growth.

•    Maintain up to date awareness of market segments applicable to the business to inform the commercial decision making.

•    Attend industry events as requested to represent the company, provide technical information and support the generation of business leads.

•    To conduct quality control tests as part of the Quality Assurance process in production/on customer premises and translate these analyses into useable data to support quality control in the production process both internally and in customer trials.

•    To investigate and trial alternative equipment or new machinery parts necessary to improve efficiency and quality and support continuous improvement and QA processes both internally and externally with customers.

Candidate Profile;

•    BSc/ Degree/ HNC in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Production Engineering

•    5 yrs. + technical operations & development

•    2-4 years’ experience in similar polymer production-based role, including product realisation and blown film/injection moulding would be preferable

Whitehall is the Recruitment Specialist for the Chemical, Polymer, Coatings and Life Science based Industries.