Test Centre Manager

Sika; Welwyn Garden City; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job description

We’re looking for a Test Centre Manager to join our Technical Services team

WGC centric with field based responsibilities as required

As the Technical Department of Sika’s Industry business, we actively support our customers’ applications with testing services that are appropriate for the specific needs. We strive to grow our business in a profitable way and maintain existing accounts with a structured and sustainable approach. We work closely together with our Sales Department to ensure that we have the full understanding of our customer needs and that they are fully supported
with the technical information they require to use our products in the proper manner. We also act as the interface between our customers and other internal departments, such as R&D and Operations, to maintain a high level of product quality, to stay innovative, and to foster Sika’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Being a good steward of Sika’s product knowledge, we also work to keep our technical literature up to date, so that the latest information can be shared with those who require it. We place great importance on the training of both our colleagues and our
customers, so that all stakeholders are empowered to make the correct decisions. We work together with our global counterparts to share experiences and information that allows us to maintain and expand our level of knowledge. With this approach we help both Sika and our customers to balance risk, avoid claims, and strive for continuous improvements in technical areas.

Purpose of the Role

We have a wide range of sealants, adhesives, structural products and resins available in the portfolio for use in Industrial manufacturing processes.

To assist our ambitions of growing the business, we are looking for a Test Centre Manager, based at our Welwyn Garden City facility. This will involve:

• Assist the Head of Technical to ensure the Laboratory is set up correctly, kept in an orderly organised manner on a day-to-day basis whilst conforming to EHS requirements.
• Form a close working relationship with the Sales Team to assist in identifying solutions using Sika materials, whilst understanding and managing any associated risks.
• Perform analytical testing of material and substrate combinations, following standard procedures, to a high degree of accuracy without supervision. Conclusions are required in the form of a written report.
• UK & Ireland customer site visits to provide technical insight and guidance.

What’s In it for You?

The Opportunity:

• Work with the team to select adhesive solutions for bonding varied substrates to meet market and factory production processing requirements.
• Expand your market field and technical knowledge by performing customer factory visits and adding value by developing production processes in partnership with the customer.
• Over time become a Market field / Adhesive specialist and become a critical part of supporting customer production processes and developing future bonded solutions.
• Be prepared to start a leadership journey and mentor apprentices to develop future talent for Sika.

The Rewards:

You will be rewarded with a competitive salary, and a sweep of great benefits. We pride ourselves on our total reward package:

• Holiday 25 days rising to 28 days with service, plus bank holidays.
• Hybrid Working.
• Core Hours Working.
• A company pension contribution of up to 10%.
• Private healthcare for you, with option to add family.
• Group life cover at 6x your annual salary.
• Global Income Protection (PHI).
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• Staff discount platform & Cycle to Work scheme.
• Dedicated Service Awards for reaching key milestones.
• Selected discounted Sika products.

The Support:

You’ll be joining a small but established local technical team within the Target Market Industry. The local Technical Service Departments also have access to regional market field specialists and testing facilities. Sika has established training programs for the different market fields which you will attend over time. There will always be someone available to support you.

The Skills:

• A significant commitment to professional and personal development from day one.
• Eager to learn [complimented by the global Sika Business School offering].
• Pro-active, able to use initiative and be entrepreneurial mixed with caution so not to expose Sika to risk.
• Ability to use appropriate products and application tools.
• Detail oriented, methodical, analytical.

The Future:

Potential Career Routes: Market field specialist, Technical Service Manager and potential to Head the Technical Service function for the UK.

The opportunity to progress within a global company across a variety of business areas.

Your expertise - Our strength

• Good knowledge and experience of bonding techniques and working with materials used in Industrial environments.
• Strong work-place organisation ethic incorporating Health and Safety.
• High degree of manual dexterity.
• Proficient in IT such as Microsoft Office / Excel.
• Self-starter, proactive, attention to detail, ambitious, team player, organised as well as to be able to demonstrate a good level of numeracy and literacy.
• Open to career development and additional responsibilities.
• Full driving licence.

About Sika

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection in the building sector and automotive industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 103 countries around the world and, in over 400 factories, produces innovative technologies for customers worldwide. In doing so, it plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and vehicle industries toward greater environmental compatibility. With more than 33,000 employees, the company generated sales of CHF 11.2 billion in 2023.