About Us

At Quaker Houghton, we are experts in the development, production and application of industrial process fluids, lubricants and coatings for the manufacturing industry. We have been an integral part in the growth of the world's largest industrial and manufacturing companies from aerospace and automotive to primary metal and energy. Today, we have a global presence, with our corporate headquarters located in Conshohocken, PA. Quaker Houghton is a global publicly traded company with a unique collaborative culture that supports career growth for its colleagues and offers competitive compensation and benefit programs.

Job Summary:

The Senior R&D leader responsible for the development of Lab strategy across segments and regions to achieve business goals and develop market share. As a member of the leadership team, this role is responsible for leading a team, partnering with Centers of Innovation (COIs) and Commercial Groups in the development of new products and applications, product enhancements and reformulations and is the Subject Matter Expert (SME) in one or more product families and/or applications. Understands Customers' needs, proactively and reactively, and identifies and delivers solutions.

What will you do:

• Assigns, supervises, and delegates projects based on focused Research and Development Pipeline, and communicates results regularly and effectively to both internal and external customers.
• Develop regional portfolio products in one or more applications, aligned with customer needs complying with product strategy and change management process with valid business justifications. This is done in conjunction with Commercial Group (Sales, Product Line Manager, etc.) and with consultation of COIs to assure that best practices on formulation concepts and test methods e.g. on benchmarking campaigns is always considered.
• Partners with Product Stewards & EHS to make sure that new technologies are aligned with global compliance requirements and restraints in terms of product risks.
• Ensures Product Portfolio captures raw material and operational synergies in support of continuous improvement of quality and profitability.
• Serves as an advisor to global technical function as a member of the technology management team; identifies and distributes useful technologies for leveraging across all Quaker Houghton's global R&D sites.
• Share and leverage best practice research process across global regions and segments through interactions with COIs.
• Responsible for resolution of customer technical complaints with clear understanding of root cause and drive correct and preventive actions to be put in place, with joint responsibility from commercial account managers and field technical program managers.
• Regularly visits Customers to better understand the market needs
• Support the local Supply Chain / Production in production process definition, waste disposal, Quality Control, and all other collateral needs.
• Support Raw Material team in approving raw materials according to EHS rules, in order to incorporate them in new formulations and better answer market needs. Adopt the common agreed standards associated with product testing and analysis.
• Support the local Supply Chain and commercial leads to identify localization of products with local raw materials in Quaker Houghton production plants and at appointed toll manufacturers.
• Ensure robust IP management system in both own manufacturing facility and at approved tollers. Also support formulation disclosure during import / export declaration.
• Trains, supervises and is responsible for Work Safety in group, completes all necessary Training, and ensures EH&S compliance for products and customer solutions. Responsible for Lab procedures, equipment and the upkeep of ISO documentation. Follow / initiate / drive CSR/ sustainability agreements.
• Manage the Local lab Budget, or budget segment, in accordance with the budget.
• Organizes and provides timely technical support to include process initiatives, customer visit reports, as well as monthly reports on projects and activities.
• Utilize the Annual Performance Appraisal process to manage staff by objectives and provide constructive feedback to aid development. Provide regular and ongoing feedback to employees.
• Responsible for the hiring, training, developing, and evaluating lab personnel.
• Attends technical societies and seminars and keeps abreast of new technology. Evaluate and make recommendations on third party (such as University, Government or Private) research opportunities.
• Other duties and projects as assigned

Education and Experience:

• B.S. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, preferably Master's Degree
• A minimum of 5-7 years of industrial chemistry experience
• Five years technical management preferred
• Five years of sales or marketing experience in industrial chemistry preferred

Accountabilities:

• The demonstration of solid decision making skills
• Business acumen - see link between products, applications and technology and overall business impact
• Understanding of customer intimacy
• Ability to set priorities, manage multiple initiatives and achieve budget targets
• Superior communication skills - verbally and written
• Command of the English language - verbally and written

What's in it for you:

• Competitive pay programs with excellent career growth trajectory
• Hybrid work environment in Alpharetta, GA
• Opportunities to see your efforts contribute toward the success of the business.
• Work for a global leader in the industrial process fluids industry

Quaker Houghton is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. ?Quaker Houghton provides equal employment opportunity for all qualified candidates. Quaker Houghton does not discriminate against any candidate for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, veteran's status, physical/mental disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by U.S federal, state, and/or local employment law. Furthermore, Quaker Houghton is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates with physical and/or mental disabilities. Applicants with a disability who need assistance applying for a position may email? OneHR[redacted]