Technical Manager - Industry

Sika; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sika is seeking a Technical Leadership & Lab Operations leader to define and execute the technical services strategy, oversee laboratory testing, substrate compatibility and durability assessments, and run application equipment simulations.

You will collaborate with Sales, R&D, and regional networks to convert technical insight into commercial success, manage documentation and QA guidelines, and drive rapid response to on-site challenges through workshops and coaching.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the technical services strategy aligned with Industry target market objectives.
• Oversee laboratory testing, substrate compatibility/adhesion evaluations, durability testing, and application equipment/robotic simulations.
• Maintain high standards of technical documentation, test reports, SOPs, and QA guidelines.
• Provide expert guidance on product selection, joint design, surface preparation, and application methods across Industry segments.
• Lead on-site customer trials, mock-ups, plant audits, and production-line validations.
• Deliver rapid root-cause analysis (RCA), troubleshooting, and corrective actions for application challenges.
• Facilitate technical workshops, customer training, and best-practice application coaching.
• Partner with Sales, BDMs, and R&D to translate technical expertise into commercial success and secured specifications.
• Manage product validation documentation and compliance approvals (including PPAP for automotive/industrial accounts).
• Provide actionable customer feedback and market insights to R&D and Product Management for NPD.
• Prioritize lab projects, resource allocation, and workflow management to ensure rapid turnaround times.
• Actively collaborate with regional and global technical networks and Competence Centres to leverage best practices.

Job description

Technical Leadership & Lab Operations

Define and execute the technical services strategy aligned with Industry target market objectives. Oversee laboratory testing, substrate compatibility/adhesion evaluations, durability testing, and application equipment/robotic simulations. Maintain high standards of technical documentation, test reports, SOPs, and QA guidelines.

Customer & On-Site Technical Support

Provide expert guidance on product selection, joint design, surface preparation, and application methods across Industry segments. Lead on-site customer trials, mock-ups, plant audits, and production-line validations. Deliver rapid root-cause analysis (RCA), troubleshooting, and corrective actions for application challenges. Facilitate technical workshops, customer training, and best-practice application coaching.

Commercial Enablement & Collaboration

Partner with Sales, BDMs, and R&D to translate technical expertise into commercial success and secured specifications. Manage product validation documentation and compliance approvals (including PPAP for automotive/industrial accounts). Provide actionable customer feedback and market insights to R&D and Product Management for NPD.

Operational Excellence

Prioritize lab projects, resource allocation, and workflow management to ensure rapid turnaround times. Actively collaborate with regional and global technical networks and Competence Centres to leverage best practices.