Airswift is working in partnership with a publicly traded manufacturer of nonwovens as roll goods for wipes as well as for medical and hygiene products, which is currently looking to hire a R&D Manager for their facility in Connecticut.

The individual will develop new products and technologies, maintain key mature technology and manage the innovation of new ideas that support the product line vision and mission. The R&D team has a flexible and collaborative working culture, with leadership and tenured colleagues striving to ensure individuals across the team are successful. The team are also looking to diversify the team, in the hopes of bringing in new ideas and getting different perspectives, to ensure the team is continuously improving.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manage assigned project portfolio for the product line, providing adequate support to strategic projects through prioritization of resources, driving best practices and keeping teams accountable
• Drive R&D innovation, by identifying new or improved products to satisfy customer requirements in specific business areas and to create differentiation from competition.
• Act as a site-based expert in specific experience areas, effectively cross-collaborating and influencing to generate solutions to complex technical problems, through independent application of technical expertise and through efficient application of skills of other technical support personnel.
• Lead and run product trials on pilot lines, and active production lines
• Using technical expertise to effectively present the company to customers and suppliers
• Participate in establishing new technology needs and future design activities.
• Ensures product development on time and on budget.
• Adhere to all safety and quality practices and organizational policies and procedures in all tasks and job functions. recognize safety and quality as Core Operating Principles that are permanently at the top of priorities.
• Matches the business’s strategic plan with project objectives.
• Actively participate in establishing the strategic plan and department objectives.
• Maintain surveillance of technical journals and other sources of technical information. Conducts patent searches and develops patents as needed.
• Interface with all levels of management to report results.
• Travel and spend time in different Plants according to needs.

Required Experience:

• Hands-on Process Engineering or R&D experience within nonwovens or pulp & paper industry
• Holds either a bachelor's with 8 years of industrial experience or a Master's/PhD with 5 years of industrial experience.
• Can work effectively with all levels of the business, from production floor up to executive leadership
• Has clear and concise communication skills, with willingness and ability to talk directly with suppliers and customers
• Flexibility to work on trials outside of normal business hours based on business needs
• Ability and interest to work in a multi-cultural environment, providing different and new perspectives and ideas to the R&D function
• Prior hands-on experience running line trials in a 24/7 manufacturing facility
• Some Project Management certification or experience

Unique Selling Points:

• Opportunity to have a real impact at a medium-sized company
• R&D is an integral and highly visible function within the business, the individual will have access to senior and executive leadership
• Fast-paced environment with the ability to work with different customers and facilities
• Flexible working culture, the company and leadership drive to make people successful- organization is very straightforward and professional
• Sustainability is an integral part of the company’s core values
• Stable businesses that are investing in the future growth of the company
• The company has a culture of success and achieving targets, where individuals take ownership and drive accountability for shared group success

If you believe this is an opportunity that fits you, send your CV to and I will be glad to present you with more details on this role!