Strategic Applications Development Manager

Xaar PLC; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK technology company is seeking a Strategic Applications Development Manager to identify, develop, and commercialize new market opportunities. This role involves leading cross-functional teams and engaging with customers to validate applications. The ideal candidate has a strong background in project management and negotiation skills and is comfortable working in hybrid and global environments. Experience in new product introduction is essential. Regular travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in identifying and commercializing new market opportunities.
• Experience managing cross-functional technical projects from concept to delivery.
• Strong background in new product introduction (NPI) processes.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate new market opportunities aligned with technology roadmap.
• Lead market qualification and assess commercial viability.
• Engage with strategic customers to validate applications in real-world environments.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Market analysis

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Project management

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Strategic Applications Development Manager

Job Title: Strategic Applications Development Manager

Department: R&D

Location:Hybrid between Waterbeach, Cambridge and Huntingdon

Inkjet Innovator. Trusted Partner. Sustainable Future. Xaar is here to create a world where you can print anything you can imagine.

Xaar has defined 5 values which are vital to our business; each represents an area of essential importance to us. Their existence is intended to guide difficult decisions and shape behaviour.

Creative – we push the boundaries of what’s possible

Collaborative – everyone is a partner; we help each other freely and willingly

Innovative – we always strive to constantly improve

Integrity – we deliver on our promises

Passion – we care about our technology, our products, our partners and each other

Purpose of Role

The Strategic Applications Development Manageris responsible foridentifying, developing, and commercialising new market and application opportunities that align with the company’s technology and product roadmap. This role sits at the intersection of product management, business development, and technical project leadership.

Working across a1–3 yearstrategic planning horizon, the role focuses on discovering high-value market opportunities,validatingthem with strategic customers, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver commerciallyviablesolutions. Oncevalidated, these solutions will beproductised and transitioned into the core business development and sales pipeline.

The role requires a commercially minded technical leader capable of managing complex customer engagements, negotiating commercial terms, and driving new application development from concept through to market adoption.

Key Accountabilities

Market & Application Development

Identifyand evaluatenew market and application opportunitiesaligned with the company’s strategic technology roadmap.

Leadmarket and application qualification, assessing commercial viability, technical feasibility, and strategic fit.

Identifyemerging customer needs and unmet market requirementsthat can be addressed through new applications or product developments.

Develop atargeted, strategic approach to market developmentaligned with product and technology roadmaps.

Solution Development & Product Alignment

• Translate market requirements into technical solutions, product developments, or feature enhancements in collaboration with product and engineering teams.
• Work closely with product management and development teams to align application needs with future product capabilities.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) by ensuring emerging applications are integrated into product development plans.

Customer Validation & Field Implementation

Engage with strategic and halo customers to validate new applications and solutions in real-world environments.

Lead field implementation and evaluation programs to demonstrate technical performance and commercial value.

Capture and translate customer feedback into product and application improvements.

Strategic Project Leadership

Cross-functionally projectmanagestrategic new application initiatives from concept through validation and early deployment.

Coordinate internal teams across engineering, product management, marketing, and sales to deliver project outcomes.

Manage timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder alignment for complex application development initiatives.

Commercial & Contractual Management

Leadcommercial negotiations and contract discussionsfor new strategic opportunities and development projects.

Develop and manage Statements of Work (SOWs)for customer-funded development or collaborative projects.

Structure agreements that balancetechnical development, commercial risk, and long-term business opportunity.

Productisation & Business Handover

Drive theproductisationof validated solutions, ensuring they are scalable, documented, and ready for broader market adoption.

Transition mature application opportunities tocore business development and sales teamsfor ongoing commercial growth.

Stakeholder Engagement

The Strategic Applications Development Manager will work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

Key Internal Relationships:

Director of Product and Applications; Head of Product Management; Head of Strategic Marketing; Director of Sales; Director of Product Development; CTO; CEO

Knowledge,experienceand qualifications:

Demonstrated success inidentifying, and commercialising new market opportunities.

Experience managingcross-functional technical projectsfrom concept through delivery.

Experience withcustomer-funded development projectsand managing development partnerships.

Strong background innew product introduction (NPI)processes.

Experience negotiatingcommercial agreements, contracts, and statements of work.

Skills & behaviours:

Strongstrategic thinking and market analysis capabilities.

Ability totranslate market needs into technical and product requirements.

Excellentstakeholder management and executive communication skills.

Strongcommercial acumen and negotiation ability.

Comfortable working inambiguous early-stage opportunity environments.

Ability tooperateeffectively acrosstechnical, commercial, and executive domains.

Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong drive tocreate new growth opportunities.

Highly collaborative, with the ability tolead across functions without direct authority.

Comfortable presenting tosenior leadership and board-level stakeholders.

Adaptable and capable of operating inglobal, customer-facing environments.

Additional Requirements

Willingness to undertakeregular global travelto support strategic customer engagement and application development.

Ability to workacross both Huntingdon andWaterbeachlocations, with a hybrid working model.