SR MANAGER R&D

 

Join the largest manufacturer of tile and natural stone in the United States and watch your career stand out with Dal-Tile, a subsidiary of Mohawk Industries.

 

Our close-knit team of dedicated professionals has made us the success we are today. In exchange for their hard work, we support our people with a family-friendly work environment, a commitment to promoting from within, unique benefits that go beyond just medical and dental, and a belief that every employee deserves a productive life outside of work. If this sounds outstanding to you, take the first step forward and explore a career with Dal-Tile.

 

 

The Sr Manager R&D is a senior-level manager that proactively leads the planning and execution of materials research and development activities. This role involves managing a team of researchers, ensuring the successful development of new materials and driving initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the sourcing process.

 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Position:

 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product management, marketing, and manufacturing, to ensure R&D efforts align with business objectives.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration across departments.
• Drive innovation within the R&D function, exploring new materials, technologies, and methodologies.
• Identify potential risks and challenges in materials projects.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to ensure project success.
• Implement robust quality assurance processes to ensure the highest standards in materials development.
• Present R&D plans and achievements to internal and external audiences.
• Collaborate with external vendors, partners, and research institutions to enhance R&D capabilities.
• Manage relationships with key partners to drive successful collaborations.
• Responsible for monitoring raw material costs and consumption to identify opportunities.
• Continuously analyze market and delivery conditions to ensure present and future material availability.
• Visit suppliers and manufacturing plants to ensure material quality and service.
• Perform other duties as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
• 8-10 years’ relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3-5 years of management experience.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes and quality control required.
• Able to set up, run and/or interpret results from a wide variety of laboratory test equipment.

Competencies

 

• Develops intermediate understanding of people management practices and managing small teams of direct reports.
• Extensive knowledge of ceramic raw materials including function, mining, and processing.
• Focused on and responsible for their team's productivity and collective impact.
• Excellent communication, problem solving, and organizational skills.
• Able to multitask, prioritize, delegate, and manage time effectively.
• High level of integrity and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential data.
• Proficient using Microsoft Office Suite products.
• Flexible attitude, adaptable to change, team player, and able to handle multiple projects at once.
• High degree of professionalism, judgment, maturity, and resourcefulness in the absence of formalized guidelines and procedures.
• This employee will be responsible for direct reports.