Research Manager

L&L Products; Romeo (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Onsite medical clinic

Generous 401K contributions

Wellness program

Job summary

L&L Products is seeking a Research Manager to partner with internal and external customers to develop and execute test plans validating product performance. You will oversee material testing activities, ensure test data quality, and coordinate OEM trial submissions while guiding a team of analysts and technicians.

In this role you will manage laboratory operations, support global testing needs, and drive innovation in materials and processing technologies, aligning with company goals.

Qualifications

• Experience leading technical programs and personnel toward business goals.
• Ability to establish credibility within a research group and across the organization.
• Comfortable guiding discussions and decisions in technically complex scenarios.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to a group of specialists and technicians to advance new product offerings and processes.
• Lead the R&D organization in problem resolution with a principled approach.
• Oversee group activities aligned with company technical and commercial goals.
• Develop innovative ideas in materials and processing technology and lead exploratory work.
• Coordinate multifunctional activities to support company-wide objectives.
• Maintain global connections within R&D and monitor scientific trends.

Skills

Leadership experience

Test plan development

Cross-functional collaboration

Scientific methods

Laboratory communication

Education

BS/MS/PhD in sciences

Job description

Reports to: Director of Research and Development

Direct Reports: Analytical Scientists, Material Testing Analysts, R&D Characterization Senior Technician, R&D Characterization Technical Specialist, Specification Testing Technicians, and R&D Technician

Would you like to work for a company where ambitious spirits and creativity thrive? L&L Products offers a culture that grows talent and flourishes with innovation. It is a place where you are encouraged take control of your own professional development by using L&L’s extensive training opportunities to craft solutions to the industry’s hottest problems. Here is where quality of work, product and relationships are a priority.

L&L Products is built on the basic philosophy that good people working together, listening to each other’s ideas with an open mind and everyone wanting to do a little better each day will ensure our success. Our existence is full of wise principles, sacrifices and victories, laughs, and lasting memories that tell exactly who we are. How we came to be the great company, the caring family that we are today.

What you'll do:

As the Research Manager, you will partner with internal and external customers to develop and execute test plans using OEM, industry, and internal standards to validate product performance. You will oversee material testing activities, ensure the quality and accuracy of test results, obtain customer approval of data, and coordinate OEM trial submissions as needed. You will troubleshoot material issues, manage personnel and project workflows, support laboratory operations and inventory, and serve as a technical resource for testing, materials, and OEM requirements. Additionally, you will manage iProcurement activities, provide testing support to global regions, and coordinate with external laboratories for specialized testing when internal capabilities are unavailable.

Duties / Responsibilities of this position:

• Provide leadership to a group of specialists and technicians to advance new product offerings and new process methodologies.
• Lead the R&D organization in problem resolution, including a basic, principled approach to frame and solve problems.
• Manage the activities of the group in the context of broad technical and commercial goals of the company, putting activities in context of these larger goals.
• Independently develop innovative ideas in materials and processing technology and lead technical groups through the exploration of these ideas.
• Coordinate activities with multifunctional activities in the organization, ensuring that activities are in context of company-wide goals.
• Maintain a global connection within company research and development and cultivate collaboration and knowledge of technical/scientific trends in global academic, governmental, competitive, and supplier communities.
• Lead a group of technical professionals, including technicians and specialists, to develop new technologies in products and processes. Very competent with self-directed work
• Responsible for technical decisions predicated on work of the directed group
• Construction, maintenance, and safety responsibilities for laboratory workspace and equipment

Job Requirements:

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• BS, MS, or PhD in the sciences, typically in the chemical and engineering sciences.
• Experience leading technical programs and/or personnel toward advancement of business goals.
• Experience in establishing well-founded credibility in the research group and in the whole of the business organization.
• Select skills in technical/scientific disciplines, as required. Versed in scientific methods, laboratory apparatus, and communication skills.
• Capable of fostering a contributive, collaborative environment in the research community, and in relation to multiple corporate functions
• Comfortable with leading on issues with uncertain circumstance or conflicting viewpoints

Core Competencies:

• Performance Driven
• Communication
• Customer Centric
• Passion/Values
• Safety/Sustainability
• Leadership

Physical Demands Analysis:

• Occasional lifting up to 30 lbs.
• Occasional carrying up to 30 lbs.
• Occasional pushing/pulling up to 30 lbs.
• Frequent gripping and reaching
• Continuous use of computer monitor, keyboard, and computer mouse
• Frequent standing and walking
• Occasional bending, stooping, twisting or balancing
• Rare crawling, kneeling, and crouching

Environmental Conditions:

• Hot/Cold – occasional
• Humid/Dry – occasional
• Moving Objects – occasional
• Sharp hand tools – occasional
• Working alone – frequent
• May be required to wear the following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety Glasses, Gloves, Sleeves, and Respirator (Dust Mask).

Never = Not Required/Never (0%)

Rare = Seldom/Rare (Not daily – 1-10%)

Occasional = Minor/Occasional (Less than 3 hours – 11-33%)

Frequent = Required/Frequent (For 3-5 hours – 34-64%)

Continuous = Major/Continuous (More than 5 hours – 64-100%)

• 100% company paid medical, dental, and vision
• Onsite medical clinic
• Generous 401K contributions
• Top-notch wellness program with a focus on your total well-being

Equal Opportunity Employer

L&L Products does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, weight, height, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. L&L Products will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship.