S&T Director Paints, Coatings & ACS

Imerys Minerals Ltd.; France; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Imerys Minerals Ltd. is seeking a senior S&T leader to drive the regional strategy for Paint & Coatings across EMEA.

You will lead a diverse team based in France and the UK, overseeing a market with around €150 million revenue, and shape the technology roadmap to accelerate organic growth. The role requires a PhD and 15+ years in R&D leadership, English fluency, and the ability to partner with Marketing, Operations, and customers' R&D.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering.
• 15+ years of work experience, including 5-10 years in leadership roles in R&D in the paint & coatings or related industry.
• Previous international management experience is a strong asset.
• Full professional proficiency in English; French language skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive regional S&T strategy for PM EMEA Paint & Coatings.
• Lead a team of around 20 scientists and S&T professionals based in France and the UK.
• Develop technologies and laboratory capabilities to support PM EMEA Paint & Coatings (new products, new applications, new services).
• Drive NPD technical development and manage NPD projects for PM EMEA Paint & Coatings markets.
• Coordinate across PM geographies to avoid duplication and share knowledge/assets/skills.

Skills

R&D leadership

Team management

Strategic planning

English proficiency

French language

Education

PhD in Chemistry

PhD in Materials Science

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Project management tools

Data analysis

AI/ML tools

Job description

Drive the regional Science & Technology (S&T) strategy for Paint & Coatings to accelerate organic growth and strengthen market leadership across EMEA.,

• Manage a team of around 20 scientists and S&T professionals based in France and the UK to serve a Market with an annual revenue of circa 150 million euros.
• Responsible for developing the necessary technologies and laboratory capabilities to support PM EMEA Paint & Coatings (new products, new applications, new services)
• Participate in nurturing Imerys relationships with PM EMEA customers, in particular customers' R&D
• Sets overall S&T plan on the PM EMEA Paint & Coatings markets roadmaps issued from Marketing and defines with business the prioritization of technical work and other markets as necessary.
• Works closely with Polymer/Paint & Coatings market VP (and/or delegates) to:
  • Drive NPD technical development of PM EMEA Paint & Coatings markets with a focus on mid and long term projects.
  • Manage NPD projects for PM EMEA Paint & Coatings markets through Project Management tools.
• Drive strategic technology roadmap for the long term within her/his area of responsibility.
• Build a 5-years Innovation roadmap for Paint & Coatings.
• Ensures tight coordination with PM EMEA Operations and Paint & Coatings markets teams (Commercial, Marketing and Business teams, Technical Services)
• Ensure coordination and collaboration between other PM geographies (Americas, APAC) to avoid duplication and knowledge/asset/skill
• Leads and inspires the S&T team through appropriate management rituals and attracts, develops and retains and provides development opportunities to team members in his/ her perimeter (beyond direct reports).
• Act as a key member of the BA S&T management team in Europe, Every Person Matters: Foster an inclusive, safe, and collaborative environment across France and the UK, empowering a multidisciplinary team of scientists through active listening, experimentation, and professional development.
• Partner of Choice: Build trusted, long-term relationships with key Paint & Coatings customers' R&D teams and external technical networks by delivering tailored application solutions, innovative technologies, and reliable technical expertise.
• One Team Together: Break down organizational silos by coordinating across functional teams to translate customer requirements into innovative solutions, share expertise, and speed up project delivery.
• Strive for Better: Drive continuous innovation by leading new product development (NPD), leveraging advanced data management or AI/machine learning tools, and optimizing the technology portfolio to consistently elevate business performance.
• Enablers of Tomorrow: Shape the future of the Paint & Coatings business by driving and executing a 5-year Innovation Roadmap anchored in sustainable formulations, eco-friendly mineral applications, and long-term asset optimization.
• Seasoned S&T (R&D) researcher ideally with a PhD or equivalent
• Curiosity and agility to adapt and perform to a broad diversity of market segments
• Technology and/or Paint & Coatings application development
• Experience in data management or AI/machine learning tools would be a plus
• Intellectual property portfolio development
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong previous experience in product development from idea to launch.
• Demonstrated capability to deliver results in a challenging environment while keeping the focus on the long term strategy
• Business acumen
• Extensive internal & external technical networks in Paint & Coatings and other related industries

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering
• 15+ years of work experience, including 5-10 years of leadership roles R&D roles in industry related to the appropriate markets.
• Previous international management experience will be a strong asset.
• Experience managing large teams of scientists and technicians including at least two layers below his/her/their role.
• Full professional proficiency in English is required; French language skills are a plus.
• Imerys is the world's leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with €3.4 billion in revenue and 12,300 employees in 40 countries in 2025. The Group offers high value-added and functional solutions to a wide range of industries and fast-growing markets such as solutions for the energy transition and sustainable construction, as well as natural solutions for consumer goods. Imerys draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge, and expertise in material science to deliver solutions which contribute essential properties to customers' products and their performance. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Imerys promotes environmentally friendly products and processes in addition to supporting its customers in their decarbonization efforts.