R&D Project Manager - Materials

Brady Corporation; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

The R&D Project Manager in Brady Corporation's Materials R&D group leads research initiatives from scoping to launch, coordinating cross-functional teams across chemistry, coatings, and printing disciplines. You will mentor junior staff and drive stage-gate processes to deliver inkjet and VWS products.

Based in Milwaukee, WI, this role requires 5+ years of project leadership, a chemistry or materials background, and willingness to travel up to 15% to collaborate across sites and suppliers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of formative project management experience.
• Proven track record of delivering projects with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to influence business outcomes.
• Background in material property/process relationships for inks, coatings, adhesives, and polymers.
• Experience with wide-web coating, narrow-web rotary die cutting and flexographic printing.
• Project Management Certification, preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 10-15%.

Responsibilities

• Leads and supervises research projects that deliver business results.
• Lead and supervise corrective actions to supply chain disruptions and other tasks needed to sustain launched products.
• Leads various project activities through a defined Stage Gate process.
• Manages projects including developing scope, goals, budget, timelines, and business case.
• Builds comprehensive and global plans for meaningful projects that meet customer needs.
• Works within and or leads multiple cross functional teams to enable new product development.
• Collaborates constructively and communicates effectively with all business functions.
• Coordinates with site manufacturing, test engineers, and Global Product Managers to complete strategic initiatives.
• Understands process capability and variability, design selection criteria, structure property relationships, knowledge management, risk management, and intellectual property fundamentals.
• Assures and validates proper documentation of responsible technical and experimental activities.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder communication

Influence business outcomes

Inkjet ink materials

Coatings & adhesives

Flexographic printing

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or related

Job description

What We Need

The R&D Project Manager is an influential and visible part of the Materials R&D department with responsibility for providing hands-on project management experience and leadership to develop new products through commercial launch, and support existing products within the Inkjet & Visual Workplace Safety (VWS) business. This individual will also provide mentorship to junior R&D staff. Technical areas of focus will be in inkjet ink technology, functional coatings, pressure sensitive adhesives, print on demand technologies, floor tapes, and other associated technologies.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leads and supervises research projects that deliver business results
• Lead and supervise corrective actions to supply chain disruptions and other tasks needed to sustain launched products.
• Leads various project activities through a defined Stage Gate process
• Manages projects including developing scope, goals, budget, timelines, and business case
• Builds comprehensive and global plans for meaningful projects that meet customer needs
• Works within and or leads multiple cross functional teams to enable new product development
• Collaborates constructively and communicates effectively with all business functions
• Coordinates with site manufacturing, test engineers, and Global Product Managers to complete strategic initiatives
• Understands process capability and variability, design selection criteria, structure property relationships, knowledge management, risk management, and intellectual property fundamentals
• Assures and validates proper documentation of responsible technical and experimental activities

What You Will Need To Be Successful

• Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or related technical disciplines.
• 5+ years of formative project management experience
• Proven track record of delivering on projects by working with cross functional teams
• Demonstrated ability to influence business outcomes
• Background in material property/process relationships for inks, coatings, adhesives, and polymers
• Experience with wide-web coating, narrow-web rotary die cutting and flexographic printing
• Project Management Certification, preferred
• Aspiration to travel, network, and immerse with multiple locations and cultures (up to 10-15% of the time)

About Us

Who we are:

Brady makes products that make the world a safer and more productive place. We are a global leader in safety, identification and compliance solutions for a diverse range of workplaces. From the depths of the ocean to outer space, from the factory floor to the delivery room - we're just about everywhere you look. Companies around the world trust Brady because of our deep expertise and knowledge across a wide range of industries and applications - powered by our world-class manufacturing capabilities. We have a diverse customer base in industries including electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, healthcare, aerospace and more. As of July 31, 2025, Brady employed approximately 6,400 people in our worldwide businesses. Our fiscal 2025 sales were approximately $1.51 billion. Brady stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BRC. You can learn more about us at www.bradycorp.com.

Why Work At Brady

A career at Brady means working for a global company that has thrived for over 100 years, and whose innovative spirit drives our future growth. Brady offers competitive pay and great benefits, supported by a culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. We strive to foster an inclusive workplace where diverse talent can learn, grow, and succeed. And with deeply rooted values, no matter where you work at Brady, you'll feel connected to the community through our charitable contributions and opportunities to give back. Our headquarters are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but we have more than 70 locations globally, giving our employees the opportunity to work with colleagues around the world.

Our Benefits

• Comprehensive insurance coverage starting on your first day of employment, including medical, dental, and vision
• Generous 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Opportunity to participate in incentive programs for all full-time employees
• Family planning benefits including paid parental leave, fertility coverage, adoption and surrogacy assistance
• Education reimbursement opportunities
• Scholarship program for children of Brady employees
• A variety of Employee Resource Groups to provide you with unique networking, development, and volunteer opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program and related wellness programs (mental and behavioral health, family counseling, financial management)
• Dress-for-your-day dress code
• Charitable contributions matched through Brady's Matching Gift program