Manager - Materials Specialist Lab - Husqvarna Group

Husqvarna Aktiebolag; Jönköpings kommun; On-site; SEK 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Husqvarna Aktiebolag is seeking a leader for the Center of Excellence in Materials in Huskvarna. In this role, you will drive the department's strategy, ensuring effective operations and impactful contributions to product development. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and communication skills, with a background in materials or mechanical engineering.

This position offers a hybrid working environment, requiring at least four days in the office weekly. Strong customer focus and a strategic mindset are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of proven leadership experience within engineering.
• 8-10 years experience from technology-intensive environments, preferably in R&D.
• Structured approach with knowledge of team and organizational development.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with R&D leadership to define vision and objectives.
• Lead and develop a team of 12 specialists.
• Manage performance and budget responsibility.

Skills

Leadership experience

Fluency in Swedish

Fluency in English

Communication skills

Team development

Strategic mindset

Education

University degree in materials engineering or related field

Job description

About the role

Lead Husqvarna Group's Center of Excellence in Materials. In this role, you will be responsible for driving the department's strategy and goals within product, technology, and business development, while ensuring an efficient day‑to‑day operation of the lab and its deliveries. A key part of the role is to continuously strengthen how and when the team contributes to product development, increasing early involvement and impact across the organization.

Key responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Shared R&D leadership team to define the vision and objectives for the department.
• Translate strategy into concrete plans and lead their successful execution.
• Lead and develop a team of 12 specialists, prioritizing and allocating incoming assignments and ensuring high‑quality deliveries.
• Build strong relationships across Husqvarna to ensure best involvement of material specialists in product development projects.
• Lead selected cross‑functional R&D initiatives and external research collaborations, and drive investment planning and prioritization for the lab.
• Manage team leadership, performance, and budget responsibility.

About you

Proactive and motivating leader who builds trust and collaborates effectively. Strategic mindset and strong customer focus. Self‑aware and continuously develops through feedback and reflection.

• 5‑7 years of proven leadership experience within engineering, including leading and developing teams.
• Solid 8‑10 years experience from technology‑intensive environments, preferably within R&D, product development, or laboratory operations.
• University degree in materials engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Fluency in Swedish and English, both written and spoken.
• Background or genuine interest in a clear, confident, and grounded leadership style with knowledge of team and organizational development.
• Structured approach with the ability to balance agile and traditional development methodologies while maintaining a solution‑oriented mindset.
• Solid understanding of laboratory and development operations.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective networks across the organization.

Location

This position will be placed at our main site in Huskvarna. The hybrid working environment allows flexibility to work both onsite and remotely, but the laboratory function requires majority onsite presence, with at least four days in the office per week (80%).