IR Growth Program Leader — Industrialization & Automation

Umicore Group; Acigné; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Umicore is seeking a Program Leader for IR growth at its Electro Optic Materials division in Acigné, France. You will shape, lead and steer a multi-workstream program to expand infrared capabilities across Europe and North America, coordinating with Operations, Engineering, Commercial, and global teams.

The role requires 8–10 years in engineering and disciplined program management, strong stakeholder skills, and readiness to travel internationally.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in engineering, complex program management.
• Experience in international manufacturing environment, ideally footprint expansion.
• Experience in product & process industrialization.
• Focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Strong analytical mindset and proactive approach.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Knowledge of thermal optics or precision manufacturing is an advantage.
• Fluent English and willingness to travel internationally.
• Ideally located in Acigné, France, alternatively open to travel one week per month to the UIRG plant in France

Responsibilities

• Shape and lead the Infra-red business growth program to support key European customer accelerated ramp-up (aim to double capacity production in France by end 2027).
• Steer and monitor program’s 10 workstreams across IR functions to ensure project milestone achievements
• Build and challenge IR growth financial business plan, focusing on a stepped CAPEX deployment approach
• Design mid to long term cost down roadmap for the overall IR operations
• Steer automation roadmap & support operational excellence deployment in the business line
• Ensure timely building capacity expansion (greenfield or brownfield)
• Manage the program costs
• Shape and develop industrialization capabilities with IR organization (focusing on product & process)
• Ensure coordination and partner with Operations, Engineering, Commercial, site managers, R&D, Global Supply, Finance and Procurement teams to deliver business objectives.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder management

Operational excellence

Analytical mindset

English fluency

Travel readiness

Job description

Umicore is seeking a Program Leader for IR growth at its Electro Optic Materials division in Acigné, France. You will shape, lead and steer a multi-workstream program to expand infrared capabilities across Europe and North America, coordinating with Operations, Engineering, Commercial, and global teams.

The role requires 8–10 years in engineering and disciplined program management, strong stakeholder skills, and readiness to travel internationally.